Creek Restoration

Ananda Dhiira is located in the beautiful Sierra Foothills above the South Fork of the Yuba River, adjacent to the South Yuba River State Park. Kentucky Creek is a tributary to the South Yuba River and it flows year round through Ananda Dhiira for 1-2 miles.
The creek was entirely hidden by the non-native Himalayan blackberry. The mounding vines were 10-15 feet high on both sides of the creek, limiting access of humans and most animals to all but a tiny part of the creek. Although a few animals benefit from blackberry thicket, it is widely recognized as a noxious weed that very effectively displaces native vegetation and tremendously decreases the biodiversity of the creek.

Ananda Dhira participated in the USDA program called the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program or WHIP for short. WHIP allows non-agricultural landowners to apply for conservation cost-share funding on their land. In this case, WHIP paid 75% of the total cost of projects and Ananda Dhiira paid for the rest. Nature Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Grass Valley coordinated and assisted in this project, it produced a conservation plan to help define the process for the project along with a restoration plant list. Started in the fall of 2005, Ananda Dhiira worked closely with NRCS, local contractors, friends, neighbors, and members to complete all the various aspects of the project.

Work Process

To prepare the project site, many truck loads of old metal ranch materials were removed from the project area and brought to recycle in Jan 2006. Few months later, a hand crew of 20 workers worked tirelessly for 3 days to remove huge mounds of blackberry along the creek, which opened up the hidden creek and the project site. In the fall, the first batch of 16,000 plugs of 7 species of native grasses were planted in the lower riparian.

In 2007, the same hand crew removed more black berry from the site and planted another 22,000 native grass plugs of 9 species. After planting native grasses,
350 native forbs, shrubs and trees of 26 species were planted along the creek.

In 2008, another 12,000 native grasses and 60 native trees and shrubs were planted.
It comes to the total of 50,000 native grasses and 410 native forbs, shrubs and trees.

These different native plants produce a variety of flowers, fruits, and seeds resulting in increased plant and animal biodiversity.

Removing blackberry was only one of the tasks in this project. Along the process, many other invasive weeds were found and identified, such as: Yellow Star Thistle, Italian Thistle, Bull Thistle, Skeleton Bush Weed, Medusa head, Goat grass, Hedge Parsley weed…..etc. To keep noxious invasive weeds under control is one of the key elements to the success of any restoration work and it is an ongoing effort. The selection of native grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees were well thought of and with consultation of botanists and biologists who worked closely with the Didis at Ananda Dhiira.

The impact of this project in the community:
1. Ananda Dhiira is adjacent to the State Park and The Kentucky Creek is a tributary to the South Yuba River. Work done at Ananda Dhiira helped the State Park in their efforts to reduce noxious weeds at the park and along the river.

2. In the summer, wildfire is the major threat in California.
Once dried out, black berry thickets and Thistles are highly inflammable.
Removal of dense blackberry and all invasive weeds in this project has significantly reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

3. Restore the eco balance in the region

Conservationist of the Year 2007

For the success of the project, in recognition of the achievement, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors presented Ananda Dhiira with an award from the Nevada County Resource Conservation District as “Conservationist of the year”.for 2007.

The purpose and goal

The initial objective of the project was to restore the eco balance of the land and to recreate the nature habitats for wildlife in the region. The project has been extended to creating an Eco Meditation Garden along the creek. The following steps are essential:

Have an effective weed management plan to keep invasive weeds under control.

Plant more native grasses, trees, flowers and shrubs.

A better irrigation system.

Preserve the nature setting with landscaping touch for contemplation, meditation, nature education, art activities, etc.

Your support can make a great difference

Landscaping design skill
Weed management
Time and labor
Financial aid
Grant research and write grant proposal