PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #21: Riparian and Wetland Restoration.
Tuesday, August 6. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC

Successful community-based urban stream restoration: On target, on time and under budget.

Mitchell, Patrick^*,1, ¹ Santa Ana Parks,Recreation and Community Services Agency, Santa Ana, California

ABSTRACT- Southern California's riparian habitat has been significantly reduced in the past 150 years. The region's urban areas have experienced the most dramatic reduction in native vegetation coverage. The city of Santa Ana is 93 percent built out and has only 450 acres of designated open space. Less than 50 acres of the city's total open space qualify as remnant natural or restored native landscape. Beginning in 2000, the city partnered with several community groups to restore 1.25 linear miles of Santiago Creek and approximately 30 acres of associated flood plain.This poster emphasizes the roles of all partner organizations to ensure that these projects are completed on time and within budget. The process of planning and implementing the restoration projects are discussed including unique parameters placed on the project by the occurrence of historical resources and other urban conditions not compatible with the goals of traditional restoration. One-half mile of lower Santiago Creek has been restored and results of this completed reach are discussed including successful establishment of willow woodland and mulefat scrub.

KEY WORDS: riaprian, urban, community-based, low-cost