By Libby Earthman

Putah Creek Council, in cooperation with Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee and dozens of local volunteers, grows native plants in a South Davis nursery. Once they are large enough, they will be planted by volunteers along the banks of Putah Creek in the upcoming rainy season as part of several habitat enhancement projects.

The plants in the nursery are thriving, and the Putah Creek Council is looking for volunteers to transplant many into larger pots. The plants are grown from seeds and cuttings taken from the creek’s native streamside plants.

“It’s exciting to see how much the plants have grown over the summer, but many have outgrown their pots,” said Sara Tremayne, Putah Creek Council stewardship coordinator. “We want the plants in the greenhouse to be as robust and healthy as possible so they will have a greater chance of survival when they are finally planted in the ground at the various project sites along the creek.”

Helping in the native plant nursery is a great way to meet other people in the community who care about Putah Creek, want to connect to the creek in a meaningful way, and actively make a difference in wildlife habitat and water quality in our region, Tremayne said. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about native plants of the region.

Putah Creek Council will provide any necessary tools, including gloves, but volunteers may want to bring a water bottle and hat, and should wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Anyone is welcome, including supervised children.

September events are planned:

* Sept. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to noon;

* Sept. 3, from 1:30 to 4 p.m.;

* Sept. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.; and

* Sept. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Volunteer registration and information about the meeting site are available online at http://www.putahcreekcouncil.org. For more information, call Tremayne at (530) 795-3006.

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Volunteers transplant sedges and other California native plants in the Putah Creek Council’s native plant nursery. Libby Earthman/Courtesy photo

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