Student-Led Survey of Big Chico Creek Riparian Zone at Chico State
Kaitlyn Walsh (kmwalsh1@csuchico.edu) and Megan Ambriz (meambriz@csuchico.edu)
Chico Creek is a beautiful part of the Chico State campus and is an essential native riparian habitat to many native plant and animal species. Over the years, there have been numerous conservation efforts in order to preserve and improve the habitat by removing invasive species and replanting native species. We are taking a closer look at how effective these efforts have been and how much the habitat has changed over the years.
A survey previously conducted by Sabrina Nielsen and Adrienne Edwards assessed the condition of Big Chico Creek and classified the invasive risk of vegetation on multiple sites along the creek. Using their data, we were able to analyze the spread of invasive and native plant species along their previously analyzed area and reassess invasive risk and spread. What we found was promising! We found that more native species were present and had even migrated into the area since the previous research project was conducted. This suggests that restoration efforts implemented previously have been effective and are helping to create a healthier and balanced habitat that will allow native species to flourish and let future generations of students enjoy the natural beauty that Chico State’s campus has to offer. This project has allowed us to develop valuable data to help support conservation and restoration strategies that can help impact future efforts and enhance our ecological understanding of Chico Creek.
We hope future students will take a similar interest in the well-being of our creek and continue to lay the foundation to help improve our campus community. Even with the successes of previous restoration projects, riparian habitats like Chico Creek are constantly changing and need continuous monitoring and evaluation to create lasting change. Organizations on campus, such as Green Campus, are always looking for volunteers to help with invasive species removal and re-planting. Whether you're passionate about conservation or just love the beautiful scenery of our campus, there’s a way to get involved and help!
