Middle Stewart Canyon Creek Restoration Project

The Middle Stewart Canyon Creek Restoration Project rehabilitated a 10.8-acre riparian corridor by removing invasive, non-native plant species and reintroducing native plant species through active and passive restoration. Middle Stewart Canyon Creek is one of many community restoration projects within the Ventura River Watershed and is contiguous with previously restored sites up and down the stream. The project was funded through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Proposition 1 Watershed Grant Program.

Project Area

The Project is a high-priority restoration area at the local, state, and federal levels. The Project is located within Reach 1 of Stewart Canyon Creek and is one of only 8 stream reaches that have been determined to be potentially suitable habitat for southern California steelhead (Oncoryhnchus mykiss irideus population 10; federally endangered) within the City of Ojai. Additionally, the Project area is a tributary of San Antonio Creek which is Critical Habitat for southern California steelhead and California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii, federally threatened). The Project area is within the Ventura River Watershed which is considered a Core 1 population (highest priority for recovery actions) by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Project Goals

Reestablish a functioning wetland and riparian ecosystem that supports a diversity of native fish, wildlife, and plant species, specifically federally-listed southern California steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii)
Remove and control non-native species which are negatively impacting the habitat value of Middle Stewart Canyon Creek
Enhance native species richness and abundance by reintroducing native plants in areas where invasive plants are removed
Restore the function of low flow channel by removing tree litter, rubble and debris dammed up from invasive plants
Provide ongoing stewardship of Stewart Canyon Creek
Reduce fire danger and management concerns related to the presence of invasive plant species within the canyon
Develop outreach and networking strategies that will help to continue project funding from a variety of community-based sources
Support workforce development for local youth aged 18 to 24 working for Concerned Resource and Environmental Workers (CREW) and CA Conservation Corps (CCC) through tree removal, native planting, watering, and weeding

Project Team

City of Ojai - Lead Agency
Mark Crane Tree Service - Professional tree contractor
CREW - Tree removal support, native planting, supplemental watering, volunteer coordinator
CCC - Tree removal support
Channel Islands Restoration (CIR) - Resprouting prevention
Pax Environmental, Inc. (Pax) - Environmental permitting, project studies, public outreach, biological surveying/monitoring/reporting
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) - Sourcing local plant genetics for Intensive Restoration Areas 1, 4
Once Upon a Watershed (OUW) - Educational workshops
Growing Works - Sourcing local plant genetics for Intensive Restoration Areas 4, 5

Tasks Completed

650+ invasive, non-native plants removed:
- Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta)
- Red gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)
- Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis)
1,000+ seeds planted:
- Black walnut (Elymus triticoides)
- Coast live oak (Quercus agrifloia)
- Valley oak
3,100+ container plants planted including:
- Coast live oak (Quercus agrifloia)
- Purple sage (Salvia leucophylla)
- Black sage (Salvia mellifera)
- Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)
- Giant wild rhye (Elymus condensatus)
- California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
600+ cuttings planted including:
- Sandbar willow (Salix exigua)
- Red willow (Salix laevigata)
- Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia)
950+ community volunteer hours
200+ workforce development hours
200+ students hours