IERCD
DISTRICT DIGEST
The sustainable scoop in the Inland Empire!
IN THIS ISSUE:
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Autumn Leaves & that Infamous IE Breeze
Welcome to the Fall Edition of District Digest, IERCD's quarterly newsletter! Autumn is the time of year when the Santa Ana winds begin sweeping back through the Inland Empire. It’s also the season of transformation! Join us in this season of reflection and action as we navigate the winds of change together.
Hi there!
Meet Lus!
Hello, my name is Lus Gomez and I work for the IERCD as the Louis Robidoux Parkland and Pecan Grove (LRPPG) Site Specialist. I started my career at IERCD in 2021 as a part time Forestry Assistant. During that time, I learned
about invasive pests in our region and how devastating they can be to native trees. Because of IERCD’s flexibility, I was able to remain fully enrolled at Oregon State University online and finish up my bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. After my part time contract was over and I had graduated, I was offered a full time Field Technician position. This was a hybrid position where my work was divided by the seasons, and it allowed me to expand beyond forestry related work and into the District’s natural resources department. Half of the year I would assist with tree surveys and invasive pest monitoring, and the other half of my year was spent restoring habitat and removing invasive plants.
Earlier this year, I was offered the role of LRPPG Site Specialist. I hope to increase community knowledge about LRPPG and create outreach opportunities that can bring community members together. LRPPG is the perfect backdrop to continue educating the public about our watershed system, tree health, native plants, and much more! As my role keeps developing at IERCD, I hope it has a positive everlasting impression on community members as they have had on me. I look forward to the future working with IERCD to see how much more we can continue to accomplish.
Spanish Broom Removals
IERCD
It's time to transform the watershed! As part of forest health and wildfire resilience plans, IERCD received funding from the US Forest Service to treat and remove Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) along Mill Creek and Cajon Creek. Spanish broom was originally introduced into the Inland Empire as a landscape ornamental and was planted along highways to prevent soil erosion. Sadly, this approach backfired. This invasive plant will readily grow within cracks in the asphalt, which results in narrowed roadways, reduced visibility, blocked line of sight, and destabilized guardrails. In the event of a fire, these compromised roads cause evacuation difficulties, which poses a safety risk. This risk is compounded by the fact that Spanish brooms are a major fire risk for the affected communities in Mill Creek and Cajon Creek.
Since its introduction, Spanish broom has rapidly spread throughout the Santa Ana Watershed! It crowds out native plants by aggressively out-competing them for resources, alters soil nutrients, reduces biodiversity, and provides little to no habitat or food for local wildlife. We are working hard to stop its spread, and take back our watershed! Since the start of this project in June 2023, the Natural Resource Team has treated and removed over 7,400 Spanish broom individuals along Mill Creek and Cajon Creek. This funding and work has facilitated IERCD in getting one step closer to the ultimate goal of watershed-wide extirpation.
Congrats to our Speak-Off Winner!
We are thrilled to announce that IERCD will be represented at the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts' statewide Speak-Off competition by 10th grade Chino Hills High School student Avery Chang! Speak-Off is an annual competition among Resource Conservation Districts throughout the state, designed to help California high school students learn about natural resource issues in their area and build public speaking skills and confidence. Avery was one of five students in our district who submitted a video responding to the prompt:
California climate is changing, and groundwater recharge will be important to ensure water for future generations. Are there other natural resource benefits to groundwater recharge projects and how can RCDs help? What local or regional examples can you point to and how have these examples helped your community?
On Thursday, October 19th, Avery and two other students were invited to deliver their speeches in front of a panel of judges at IERCD headquarters. Among our judges were Heather Dyer, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager at San Bernardino Valley
Municipal Valley District (SBVMWD), and Jackie Lacey, Environmental Education Resource Teacher from Kimbark Elementary School in San Bernardino. Avery won $250 for her first place achievement and an additional $200 dollars for winning at the regional level. She and her family will be traveling to Sacramento for the CARCD Annual Conference in December. Avery will be competing for the chance to win first place at the state level and the possibility of receiving an additional $300!
Volunteer with us!
Are you interested in making a positive impact on our environment by creating local habitat for wildlife? Join us at the Louis Robidoux Parkland & Pecan Grove on Saturday, January 13th, from 9 AM - 12 PM for a planting day in our pollinator garden!
Volunteering just 3 hours of your Saturday morning with us can help make a huge impact on the Parkland for generations to come.
New to planting? Watch a tutorial video from our natural resources team below!
Photos from the Field: California Buckwheat
While southern California plants may not be famous for their fall colors, California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is one plant that brings a change in color with the shifting seasons. As its pinkish-white flower heads dry, the plants can turn entire landscapes a dark maroon. In addition to this, during its peak bloom in mid-to late-summer, California buckwheat provides an important nectar source for pollinating insects. The open structure of their inflorescences makes them especially important to butterflies. Buckwheat is a hardy and widespread plant, making it easy to grow and perfect for almost any situation.
Partner Spotlight: Fire Safe Councils
Fire Safe Councils are community-led organizations with a mission to make their communities fire safe. Fire Safe Councils help to educate local residents on better ways to make their homes fire safe by providing information on defensible space, home hardening, and forest management practices. At the IERCD, we offer support to Fire Safe Councils by assisting them with creating or updating their Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). A CWPP addresses all fire concerns to the specific community and outlines potential treatment plans. IERCD works as a resource to Fire Safe Councils and community members as a source for general support and for funding community projects.
Farmer Appreciation Day!
In honor of National Farmers Day, IERCD hosted a farmer gathering on October 12 to celebrate and thank our local farmers and farmworkers who labor to put food on our tables. It was our second year planning this celebration and hosting it at a local strawberry producer's farm. Approximately 35 farmers from San Bernardino, Riverside, and even LA County joined us for the event, where we provided free food, giveaways, and grant enrollment support. Partners from NRCS, UCR, UCANR, and the County Public Health Department also joined us to connect with the producers and share information on resources and services available to farmers or farmworkers. Our goal for the event was to honor the hard work our growers perform year-round and to connect them with resources to support their operations. We accomplished that by providing an opportunity to review our CUSP Round 1 Funding application process, answer questions, and assist them with filling out grant applications for drought relief funds. Overall, the event was a big success! The farmers enjoyed connecting with old friends and new acquaintances while engaging with us and our partners about available assistance programs and agricultural resources.
Question: How does IERCD help local farmers?
With the ongoing drought crisis in California, farmers face increased costs ranging from higher water and energy bills, to installing new equipment. This is especially difficult for smaller farms, and socially-disadvantaged farmers & ranchers (SDFRs). Starting in fall 2023, IERCD has reimbursement funding available through the CDFA CUSP Program for agricultural and working lands within California impacted by the drought. IERCD is offering direct drought relief grants to eligible socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) who have experienced losses due to the drought. The covered expenses and eligibility requirements are listed on the IERCD CUSP Program page. Award amounts range from $2,500 to $20,000 per farmer. The application is NOW OPEN and closes on November 30, 2023. Our second round of applications opens January 1st. Application support is available at no cost. Farmers interested in more information regarding their eligibility for drought relief funds can contact us at CUSP@iercd.org.
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