California is turning 67 acres of land once used for agriculture into a restored floodplain with wetlands, grasslands and public trails.
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California → turn → wetlands
The restoration area at Ensen Community Park in Salinas is being developed by Big Sur Land Trust in partnership with the City of Salinas and other community organisations.
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area → develop → Salinas
According to Big Sur Land Trust, the project is designed to recreate a historic wetland landscape that existed in the area more than a century ago.
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that → accord → area
Much of the land had previously been drained for agriculture.
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Much → drain → agriculture
During the restoration work, crews moved and reshaped more than 172,000 cubic yards of soil to change the landscape and create areas that can hold water.
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that → move → water
The reshaped land includes basins for ponds and slow-moving waterways, along with higher ground for public trails.
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land → reshape → trails
The project includes 1.7 miles of trails and three bridges with a combined length of 240 feet.
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project → include → feet
The restored area is scheduled to open to the public with a grand opening event on September 20.
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area → restore → September
The work is part of an effort to bring wetlands and other native habitats back to the floodplain while also creating a place for people to walk and learn about the local landscape.
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people → bring → landscape
More than 67 acres being restored
The restoration project includes 67 acres of habitat, with 29 acres designated as wetland.
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acres → restore → wetland
The completed landscape will contain seven different habitat types, including wetlands and grasslands.
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landscape → complete → wetlands
The project includes more than 2,000 pounds of seed, 6,000 native plants and 100 trees.
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project → include → seed
The plants have been selected for the different habitats being created across the site.
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plants → select → site
Among the plants planned for the restored landscape are box elder and Western sycamore trees.
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elder → plan → landscape
The area will also have California poppy, sun cups, spreading rush and tufted hairgrass.
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area → have → poppy
Purple needlegrass, the state grass of California, is also among the species being planted.
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needlegrass → plant → species
The planting will help replace the bare, reshaped ground created during construction with vegetation suited to the restored habitats.
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planting → help → habitats
Over time, the project is expected to create a landscape that supports native plants and provides different types of habitat across the floodplain.
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that → expect → floodplain
The vegetation will also capture carbon dioxide and contribute to the area's climate resilience.
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vegetation → capture → resilience
Restored wetlands to support wildlife
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wetlands → restore → wildlife
The restored floodplain is being designed to provide habitat for several types of wildlife.
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floodplain → restore → wildlife
The area will provide refuge for migrating birds and breeding space for native frogs.
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area → provide → frogs
The landscape will also include shaded corridors where wildlife can find relief during summer.
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wildlife → include → summer
The combination of wetlands, grasslands, trees and waterways is intended to create different spaces for wildlife within the restored area.
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combination → intend → area
The redesigned waterways will slow storm flows rather than allowing water to move quickly through the landscape.
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water → redesign → landscape
They are also expected to help recharge groundwater and filter water as it moves towards Monterey Bay.
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it → expect → Bay
Trails and bridges added for visitors
The project is not limited to habitat restoration.
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project → add → restoration
It also includes facilities that will allow people to use and explore the area.
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people → include → area
A network of 1.7 miles of public trails has been built on elevated sections of the restored landscape.
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network → build → landscape
Three bridges, measuring 240 feet in total, will allow visitors to cross the restored channels and waterways.
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visitors → measure → channels
Interpretive signage is also being installed to help visitors understand the restored landscape and its native habitats.
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visitors → instal → landscape
Once construction is complete, the property will be transferred to the City of Salinas and opened to the public.
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property → transfer → public
Big Sur Land Trust said it will continue to steward the habitat after the transfer, with the aim of supporting the restoration and providing outdoor access for the community.
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it → say → community
The 67-acre restoration area at Ensen Community Park will officially open on September 20.
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area → open → September
Big Sur Land Trust, the City of Salinas and the Center for Community Advocacy are hosting the grand opening from 11 am to 3 pm.
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Trust → host → pm
The event will include activities connected to the restored landscape.
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event → include → landscape
A beginner's bird walk, a native plant exploration activity and animal track plaster casts are among the scheduled programmes.
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walk → schedule → programmes
The event will be held at Ensen Community Park at 99 La Posada Drive in Salinas.
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event → hold → Salinas
The Aporia
