North Shore Restoration Meadows

Habitat Description and Treatment:   Gently sloping  vernally mesic to xeric meadows bordered by mixed Black Oak and Yellow Pine woodland and North Shore Road to the North, and narrow riparian zones on the margin of Lake Siskiyou to the South. Several drainages run North to South through the meadows. This habitat was previously woodland and had been cut and used as pasture for decades. It has suffered from extensive overuse and introduction of non-native species, primarily Centaurea solstitialis, Yellow Star Thistle and Verbascum blattaria, Moth Mullein. A dirt road ran the length of the meadows from East to West. This road and the road to the parking area by the lake in the center of the meadows have facilitated the compacting of soil and introduction of invasive species from agricultural and recreational use. Tom Hesseldenz and Associates under contract to the Siskiyou County Flood Control and Irrigation District has begun an extensive restoration project in this meadow which involves:

• stabilizing the drainages to prevent further erosion
• regrading the terrain and aerating the soil
• laying tons of topsoil from similiar habitats
• eradication of invasive species
• planting of native wildflower and grass seed
• baseline and continued monitoring of species
• trail building for recreational use

Native wildflower and grass seed was purchased and gathered from habitats shown on the Lake Siskiyou Map. Species were chosen which would both beautify the meadows and create an environment similar to the meadows nearby, particularly the South Shore Meadow and Dry Delta Meadow. Seed was sown in October of 2004 in the more extensive drier areas of the meadow, wooded margins and the drainages. Sowing of the moister areas of the meadow near the lake margin is planned for March of 2005.

Lists of both Gathered and Purchased seeded plants are also included in this report.

Note: This list is not a complete botanical survey as observations were only begun in late July 2004 with sporadic observations during the Spring.