Last Friday the Coastside Land Trust welcomed Dr. Grey Hayes to tour the 50 acre property of Wavecrest Open Space. The intention of the visit was to take a walk together, make observations and learn. Dr. Hayes is a conservation and restoration ecologist, long focused on ecological restoration and rare plant conservation. During this tour of Wavecrest, Hayes identified a large number of native plants of significance, including California Meadow Barley (hordeum brachyantherum ssp. Californicum), California Oat Grass (danthonia californica), Toad Rush (juncus bufonius), Artist’s Popcorn Flower (plagiobothrys chorisianus), Bearded Clover (trifolium barbigerum), Tomcat Clover (trifolium willdenovii), Flowering Quillwort (lilaea scilloides), and Coyotethistle (eryngium vaseyi).
Dr. Hayes observed the scale and specifics of the plant diversity and speculated that it likely qualifies as Old Growth Grassland, one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Old Growth Grasslands are ecologically imperative regions that have been grasslands for a very, very long time. These grasslands have a unique suite of characteristics that develop over this time, and (unless disturbed or developed by humans) they will remain grasslands for many years to come. Secondary grasslands, which have once been tilled or planted with trees, do not have the same species or the same characteristics, and take centuries to redevelop. The Coastside Land Trust is currently researching historical records to determine if this area (although used for livestock pasture at one point) meets the the qualifications for Old Growth Grasslands.
Tomcat Clover (trifolium willdenovii)- Photographed by Susan Dunn
California Meadow Barley (hordeum brachyantherum ssp. Californicum) growing in wet areas along the path
Dr. Hayes praised California Oat Grass (danthonia californica) as “the redwood of the prairie.” This plant can send its roots down 5 feet and live 1000 years. -Photographed by Susan Dunn
Thank you to Susan Dunn for taking impeccable notes along this trip. Also thank you to Robin Kirby for the video footage.
If you would like to learn more about Grey Hayes you can check out his blog and sign up for his newsletter at www.greyhayes.net.
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