IERCD
DISTRICT DIGEST
The sustainable scoop in the Inland Empire!
IN THIS ISSUE:
(Click page numbers to skip ahead!)
Staff Spotlight
Meet Adrian!
Highlights
How do I plant native plants?
Spring Has Sprung!
Welcome to the spring edition of District Digest! As the region becomes awash with vibrant blooms, our team is full of renewed energy! Keep reading below to learn how we've been sustainably transforming landscapes, sowing seeds of stewardship, and ensuring a blossoming future for generations to come. Join us in our mission to create a greener, healthier, and more vibrant Inland Empire!
Meet Adrian!
Hola! That is a picture of a jeffrey pine tree and I am examining it. My name is Adrian Poloni, Forester at the IERCD and since 2021 I have worked on a variety of forestry projects that support forest health and fire resilience in the Inland Empire. I enjoy my job because I get to work outdoors and collaborate on team projects that advance forest health in southern California. Native to SoCal, I also enjoy sharing food with family and friends, reading, and playing futbol. See you in the field!
Bahhh-Bye Brush!
Bahhh-Bye Brush!
How Goats are Fueling the Future of Fire Management
How Goats are Fueling the Future of Fire Management
Welcome to the forefront of fire management innovation! For the third consecutive
year, our Prescribed Grazing Project is blazing a trail in reducing fuel in Northern
San Bernardino. This dynamic collaboration with the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council
and the East Little Mountain Fire Safe Council isn’t just a project—it's a lifeline for a fire-prone community.
Before this project, the East Little Mountain community faced annual fire outbreaks, resulting in evacuations and devastating property losses. But since its inception, we've witnessed a remarkable decline in fire activity, fostering a safer environment for residents.
Apart from its tremendous impact on the community, this project stands out for another reason: the steep hillsides aren’t navigated by crews who rely on manual labor or heavy equipment. Instead, we’ve unleashed a workforce with an appetite for community safety… and combustible vegetation. Who are the superstars of this project? GOATS!
We’re partnering with Good Shepherds to bring herds of hungry goats to East Little Mountain. As nimble and agile creatures with insatiable appetites for vegetation (especially dried grasses and shrubs), goats are naturally talented fuel reducers. They can easily navigate the terrain and reach otherwise inaccessible areas where heavy equipment or manual labor would be challenging. They can clear out flashy fuels in a flash! Besides addressing the immediate need for managing flammable annual grasses, this project aims to
reduce the seed bank of invasive species on slopes, and encourage the
establishment of native plants.
Alongside grazing, IERCD and our partners are exploring an
integrated approach to manage the project area. This
includes the application of herbicides, deploying hand
crews, and establishing long-term restoration plots.
These efforts are crucial in reducing flashy fuels
on-site and enhancing overall fire resilience.
We're grateful for the ongoing support and
collaboration that make projects like these
possible. We wouldn’t have been able to
implement this project without funding from
the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program
administered by the California Department of
Conservation. Together, we're building a safer
and more resilient community against wildfires!
“My 4th grade class had a blast doing the station rotations that the IERCD team put together. The students were super engaged and learned a lot from each activity. The activities that really resonated with them were the topographic map about our trash, the planting seeds in eco-friendly pots, and making the filters aquifer challenge. Alma, Mandy, and the rest of the team were super friendly and were great to collaborate with! Thank you so much for the opportunity!"
-Ms. Ng, 4th grade teacher at Smiley Elementary
Try out a few of our Know Your Water activity sheets by clicking the pages below!
Know Your Water!
Know Your Water!
Throughout April, we had the privilege of conducting a series of field trips for local students at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. These excursions, fittingly named “Know Your Water,” provided an opportunity for students to learn about the importance of water conservation and natural resource concerns in our region.
The trips would not have been possible without the generous funding and support from the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District (SBVWCD). Dedicated to ensuring high-quality local water supplies for both people and the environment in the San Bernardino Valley, SBVWCD plays a crucial role in enhancing the sustainable supply and quality of groundwater. Their mission, which revolves around ecosystem preservation, public access, and responsible resource utilization, aligns seamlessly with our educational efforts. They were the perfect partner for this initiative and we were thrilled to conduct these trips on their behalf!
We hosted a total of four trips for 3rd and 4th grade students from Smiley Elementary in Redlands. Each class rotated through six different learning stations designed to ignite their curiosity and inspire stewardship. The students gained an understanding of native plants, the Santa Ana Watershed, aquifers, and more. They also toured the museum’s newly installed native plant garden, which was developed by SBVWCD and IERCD last year. The students wrapped up their day by exploring the museum’s exhibits. The IERCD, SBVWCD, and San Bernardino County Museum are committed to educating local students about the importance of water conservation. As a result of these trips, we hope to foster an environmentally conscious generation that will protect our natural resources!
Invasive Plants, Beware!
Garlic Mustard Project
Earlier this year, the IERCD received fantastic news: San Bernardino County awarded us $80,000 in funding to combat the spread of garlic mustard in the Mojave River Watershed! This invasive plant was recently detected in the San Bernardino Mountains and was promptly listed as a high-priority invasive species by the California Invasive Plant Council. Garlic mustard is increasingly being targeted for removal to prevent further spread in California and throughout the watershed due to its ability to outcompete native plants by emerging earlier in spring, blocking sunlight, and taking moisture and vital nutrients. Additionally, its roots can release chemicals that can change the nutrient composition of the soil inhibiting the growth of native species.
In April, the Natural Resources Team began their efforts of Garlic mustard removals in Deep Creek near the city of Lake Arrowhead. In coordination and planning with San Bernardino County and the U.S. Forest Service, they are systematically containing and removing the plants in a bottom-up approach to prevent the further spread of this invasive species. The goal of this project is to contain and extirpate this species for the protection of the local ecosystem!
Get Involved:
Get Involved:
RSVP HERE
Grant Opportunity!
Grant Opportunity!
IERCD staff are here to lend a helping hand to local farmers! Thanks to the CDFA’s CUSP Program, we’re providing drought relief funding for small and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the Inland Empire. If you’re a qualified farmer who earns less than $400k in gross farm income, you could receive up to $20,000 in direct funding for losses incurred due to drought! In the first two rounds of our CUSP program, 53 farmers applied for $710,000 in direct payments for drought-related expenses. Now, our third round of applications is OPEN until May 31, 2024. If you need support with your application, contact us at CUSP@iercd.org. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
“If you’re a qualified farmer who earns less than $400k in gross farm income, you could receive up to $20,000 in direct funding for losses incurred due to drought!”
“If you’re a qualified farmer who earns less than $400k in gross farm income, you could receive up to $20,000 in direct funding for losses incurred due to drought!”
Photos from the Field:
Photos from the Field:
Bush Monkeyflowers
Bush Monkeyflowers
In the midst of spring wildflower season, it’s difficult to select just one plant for our crew to highlight, but bush monkeyflower is certainly deserving of the distinction! In southern California, there are several closely related perennial species in the genus Diplacus
that appear very similar at first glance. Botanists distinguish these species by
various characteristics, ranging from broad traits like flower color and geographic distribution, down to minute details such as presence or absence of hairs and
glands on certain parts of the plant. For the purposes of this highlight, we’ll
refer to these species collectively as “bush monkeyflowers”.
The first attribute that draws attention to these
plants is the spectacle of flowers, which vary from
red to orange to yellow, and everything in between!
From mid-spring to early summer, and in peak conditions,
these plants are bursting with blooms. They are so laden
with flowers that the beautiful colors overshadow and even conceal the rest of the plant. Attempting to stroll by one without pausing to admire or look for pollinators is incredibly difficult. As the rest of the year progresses, the dark evergreen leaves of the plants fade into the background… until spring arrives once more and they explode with color again.
“The first attribute that draws attention to these plants is the spectacle of flowers, which vary from red to orange to yellow, and everything in between!”
What’s a
perennial?
A perennial flower lives for more than two years. Sometimes they die back, but tend to spring up again year after year.
Another reason to love these perennial monkeyflowers is that they are relatively easy to grow for beginners, and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. They can even be successfully grown in containers if space is limited. There is a good reason for this- Diplacus species tend to grow naturally in between rocks and on open cliff faces- nature's equivalent of a container garden! Whether enjoying them wild or cultivated, bush monkeyflowers are a great California native plant to appreciate in the spring.
How do I...
How do I...
plant native plants?
plant native plants?
Are you looking to add some greenery to your home? Do you have plants ready to be replanted or repotted? Check out these helpful tips from Sam Nielsen, our nursery specialist! Whether you’re nurturing plants in containers or settling them into the soil, your plant’s main goal is simple: develop a strong root system to soak up as much water as possible. In this video, Sam demonstrates the technique we use for transplanting container plants in our native plant nursery. Many of these tips are just as handy for planting directly into the ground! Tips for success include:
- Use a soil mix that is appropriate for your plants. IERCD’s typical mix includes:
- General potting soil from a bulk supplier
- Perlite (for drainage)
- Slow-release fertilizer (for seedling stages)
- Water (just enough to hold the soil together)
- Compact soil so that the plant is well supported at the roots and doesn’t sink after it is watered
- Leave room at the top of your pot to allow water to percolate into the soil, directly to the roots of the plant, without overflowing and spilling out of its container.
The IERCD nursery grows plants from seed all the way to gallon-size and larger. The majority of these beauties will find their home at restoration sites and public spaces across our service area. We hope that you find our techniques useful so that you can bring a bit of nature to your home! Now go out and plant something!
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