Last Saturday a dedicated group of volunteers gathered at Wavecrest Open Space for the first Habitat Heroes Workday of 2026. With the help of volunteers Julie, Vicky, Sophia O., Alejandra, Bridgett, Sophia H., Carol, and members of the Coastside Land Trust Stewardship Committee (Barbara D., Robin, April, and Barbara L.), meaningful restoration work got underway.

One of the highlights of the day was the seeding of Choris’s popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys chorisianus), a rare native plant. Volunteers spread seed along two former “casual” trail segments that had been intentionally broken up last fall as part of trail restoration work. Identified by CLT’s project botanist as high-priority opportunity sites, these areas offer promising conditions for reestablishing this special species. This marks the first time Coastside Land Trust has attempted seeding Choris’s popcorn flower, and we’re excited to monitor how it responds in the year ahead.

After seeding, volunteers split into groups to tackle additional stewardship projects. One team successfully removed a patch of invasive jade plant that had taken hold along the bluff edge, while another focused on cleaning up invasive ice plant along the new gravel Coastal Trail—continuing restoration efforts that began last winter.

These hands-on workdays are about more than just removing invasives or planting seeds. They’re about caring for Wavecrest’s fragile coastal habitats, learning together, and building a community of people committed to the long-term health of this special place.

The next Habitat Heroes Workday will take place on February 14 from 9:00 a.m. to noon, with the location to be announced. This monthly series will continue on the second Saturday of each month through May, and we look forward to welcoming both returning and new volunteers. If you are interested in joining this team please reach out to sara@coastsidelandtrust.org

Thank you to everyone who helped make our first Habitat Heroes Workday such a strong start to the year!