A habitat restoration project kicked off this week in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos, with California State Parks and the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz (RCD) working along 1.5 miles of Aptos Creek.
Crews will place felled trees and large pieces of wood in the creek in an effort to bring back the natural processes that have been slowed by previous land use. In a media release, the RCD explained that adding wood to the creek creates the twists, turns, pools and riffles that salmon and other wildlife rely on. It also helps capture sediment, activate floodplains, enhance water quality and build a healthier, more resilient forest.
What visitors might notice now
- Short temporary trail closures in some of the park’s more remote areas.
- Crews and saws near the creek.
What visitors might notice in the future
- More pools and cover for salmon to hide, feed and rest.
- Better water quality and healthier stream banks.
- A stronger, more thriving forest ecosystem for the future.
This project, which is slated to last through early October, is focused on giving nature assistance it needs so it can take care of itself – and to help ensure that Aptos Creek can flourish for years to come.
To learn more, watch this video:
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