Thanksgiving Day Hike 2006 at Black Lake

 

Nearly 50 people joined us in exploring a “special place” that the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County is working to protect and restore. 

We are thankful for the beautiful weather we had and the opportunity to share the holiday with new friends.

 

 

Restoration Manager Mark Skinner identified a variety of native dune plants such as coffee berry (Rhamnus californica), which was recommended for ornamental home planting in and around your yard. 

We also got to see a few rare plants such as prickly phlox (Leptodactylon californicum), and we learned about techniques used to combat invasive veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina), such as controlled grazing. 

 

 

We heard Restoration Specialist Don Applegate talk about how the Land Conservancy is systematically planting native shrubs and flowers in an effort to bring the Black Lake Ecological Area back to a natural dune scrub ecosystem after years of human disturbance. 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope those who experienced the beauty of the dunes landscape learned more about how the Land Conservancy has helped preserve it. 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Lake is a private parcel of land that is only experienced through guided hikes led by our organization.  Our role in protecting homes for wildlife is critical, and it was great to see the progress made in eradicating harmful invasive plants and restoring the native dune scrub ecosystem. 

 

As your local land trust we will continue our efforts to protect and care for special places throughout our county such as Black Lake.  If you would like to help us achieve our mission, join as a member today!