PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: CREEK HABITAT ESTABLISHMENT
Healthy creek habitat areas provide food and shelter for many wildlife species. Plants growing along the creek banks hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. Vegetation near the creeks shades the water and can reduce stream temperatures. These creekside areas are also important corridors for wildlife that migrate throughout the watershed and beyond.
The Estuary Program works with landowners to improve habitats along creeks. Planting native species helps to attract wildlife and to shade areas of the creek that were exposed to the sun. Adding water sources away from creek banks and installing fencing can help manage cattle in these areas. This can help reduce bacteria levels, keep creekside soil from eroding, and allows plants to grow without being trampled. We have installed 12 miles of fencing in the Morro Bay watershed. The monitoring data we have collected in fenced areas shows a reduction in bacteria.