The recent rains have triggered a major infestation of mustard and other invasives at Cuesta Kato. The City of Dana Point has threatened (in the nicest way possible) to MOW THE SITE if we do not remove the weeds, as they will become a fire danger this Summer and Fall when the heat dries them up. Mowing would be tragic for our restoration site, because there are thousands of successful natives thriving there as well: wildflowers, Ambrosia, California sagebrush, Sand Aster, Saltgrass, California buckwheat, Goldenbush, Deerweed, Prickly Pear, California everlasting, Coast Live Oak, and Lemonadeberry! Mowing would set our efforts back to square one, and it would greatly disturb the cool critters that make the site their home: Trapdoor spiders, Western fence lizards, Alligator Lizards and Cottontail!

Come assist Back to Natives in restoring habitat for animals at the Back to Natives Native Plant Reserve @ Cuesta Kato in Dana Point! We will be removing non-native plants along a steep slope, so bring washed or new gloves (to avoid the spread of weed seed) and wear long pants, sunscreen, a hat, and closed toed shoes (hiking shoes preferred). Bring a snack and a re-usable water bottle filled with water. We will meet at the Albertson's parking lot at 33601 Del Obispo St, Dana Point, CA 92629 at 900AM, then walk together to the volunteer site where we will sanitize our shoes before entering the slope, and return to the parking lot by 1200PM. *Humans under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian