Help pull thistles at beautiful Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve.

Saturday April 16, 2016.
9:00-noon with optional after-lunch walk.

Join the SYVNHS for a morning of weed abatement followed by a short trek into the beautiful Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve.  Tim Matthews, SYVNHS board member, will lead us in removing noxious Milk Thistle, Silybum marianum, and Italian Thistle, Carduus pycnocephalus, that threaten the native and rare flora of Burton Mesa.

Tim Matthews is the Scientific Aide for the 5,000-acre Reserve, which is owned by the State Lands Commission and managed by the California Department of  Fish and Wildlife.  After the morning’s labors, he will lead a walk through one of the nicest areas of the Reserve for a look at its unique habitat and stunning plants.  We’ll probably see blooming San Luis Obispo Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum var. lompocense), found in this world only on Burton Mesa.  We’ll also see 4 to 5 species of fern, the rare Seaside Bird’s-beak (Cordylanthus rigidus ssp. littoralis), and many blooming shrubs of the maritime chaparral. Stars include Purisima Manzanita (Arctostaphylos purissima), Shagbark Manzanita (Arctostaphylos rudis), and Lompoc Ceanothus (Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis), all shrubs found nowhere else in the world.

Bring, most importantly, LEATHER gloves, with gauntlets if possible (leather is the only defense against the strong prickles of Milk Thistle), as well as lunch, water, hat and sunscreen, and a shovel  if possible (there will be a few provided).  While the thistles have fierce defenses, they pull out of the sandy ground of Burton Mesa quite easily, so most of our work will be simply hand-pulling.

RSVP to Membership Coordinator Brenda Juarez at synature@west.net or call 805 693-5683. Those who sign up will be sent  driving directions and meeting place information.

For more information on Burton Mesa, see http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region5/burtonmesa.html