*VLT’s Emily Holland working to remove crown daisies from Harmon Canyon Preserve, photo by* *Liam Pickhardt*

On Thursday, April 18th, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) hosted The Conservation Alliance for the second Backyard Collective event of 2024 at Harmon Canyon Preserve. Forty participants from six organizations joined VLT staff to tackle invasive species like crown daisy (Glebionis coronaria), black mustard (Brassica nigra), and annual brome grasses (Bromus spp.) in the lower canyon.

Cal-IPC defines invasive plants as plants that are not native to an environment, and once introduced, they establish, quickly reproduce and spread, and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. Invasive plants often generate a higher fuel load, leading to increased frequency and severity of wildfires. Nationally, invasive species are the second-greatest threat to endangered species, after habitat destruction. Coastal sage scrub, a habitat found in Harmon Canyon Preserve, is considered one of the most threatened habitat types in western North America.

In just three hours, the team manually removed almost half an acre of invasive plants, allowing native species such as purple nightshade (Solanum xantii), quailbush (Atriplex lentiformis), and California brittlebush (Encelia californica) to thrive once more. This laborious and time-consuming work is key to enhancing biodiversity and ecological recovery in this degraded area at the entrance of the Preserve.

Harmon Canyon Preserve holds a special place in the heart of Ventura, serving as a sanctuary for both wildlife and humans alike. Spanning over 2,100 acres, it stands as the largest publicly accessible nature preserve in the City of Ventura. Through their collective efforts, volunteers helped ensure the preservation of this beautiful and endangered coastal sage scrub habitat for current and future generations.