Management in 2018 concentrated on the removal of invasive plant species from Reserve lands. In particular, Spanish sunflower was the target in Chiquita Creek, and giant reed (Arundo donax) in San Juan Creek. The Reserve has been removing giant reed from San Juan Creek since 2010 and with this year’s effort all giant reed in the Rancho Mission Viejo and OC Parks (Casper’s Wilderness Park) portions of San Juan Creek have been removed – that’s about 100 acres! Removal of this bamboo like invasive plant will allow displaced native plants to return to the creek and improve the habitat for our native wildlife species, including the endangered Arroyo toad.
