First government-funded habitat restoration on HOA property

FALLBROOK — It’s not often that a Homeowners Association (HOA) works side by side with a Federal agency, but in the case of the Lake Ridge Estates Homeowners Association (LREHOA) in Fallbrook and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that is exactly what is happening.

Using the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), nearly eight acres of wetland will be restored on LREHOA private property benefiting migratory wildlife.

A resident of Lake Ridge Estates contacted local NRCS representative Vic Smothers for information and technical assistance regarding the removal of non-native, invasive plant species and unused habitat that invited mosquitoes and algae.

NRCS biologist Shea O’Keefe determined that the Lake Ridge property actually harbored a potential wetlands area which is important habitat for migrating birds.

The HOA entered into an agreement with NRCS to begin a wetland restoration project under the Wetlands Reserve Program. This program is designed to help landowners with technical and financial assistance to plan and carry out projects that benefit wildlife.

The Lake Ridge project encompasses acreage in the heart of Fallbrook that can serve as a migratory stop for birds.

More than 95 percent of California’s historic wetlands and 98 percent of all riparian habitats have been destroyed or modified. San Diego has more biodiversity than any other county in North America and, along with the rest of California, is among the top 10 biodiversity regions on earth.

Scientists describe the region as a conservation “hotspot” because of the vast numbers and variety of threatened and endangered species that reside here. Many of these species are endemic to San Diego County, found nowhere else in the world.

With NRCS paying 75 percent of the cost, the Lake Ridge Estates acreage will be restored to achieve the greatest wetland function and optimal wildlife habitat.

Clayton Tschudy, a landscape designer and native plant specialist, is providing the HOA with a design plan and plant palette.

Over the three-year installation, 12,000 California native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and wetland plants will be installed on the site.

These plants, representing approximately 100 species, will be ideally suited to the site, which includes zones of wetland, riparian, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland and chaparral plant communities.

Habitat will be restored to provide foraging and nesting spaces for all types of wildlife as well as to replace the HOA maintenance costs for upkeep of the weedy grasses and other invasive non-native plants that persist there now.

The HOA is now aware that because native plants have evolved for thousands of years to maintain themselves in our climate and conditions, once established they will out-compete weedy species, reducing costs as well as pest problems and fire risk.

While this project benefits wildlife, it will also benefit homeowners. A thoughtful design and a recreation trail will provide homeowners with access to and enjoyment of a previously neglected and unused area.

The beautification of the property will also serve to enhance and protect the investments of the residents of Lake Ridge Estates.

NRCS is very excited because this is the first WRP in southern California and the first HOA contract in California for NRCS. And, in turn, the Lake Ridge Estates HOA is excited to complete a project that would not be possible without the financial support provided by NRCS.

With proper planning and education this type of joint public/private habitat restoration project can be of huge benefit to human communities and wildlife together. This project could serve as a template for future HOA restoration projects funded by government conservation agencies.

For more information about NRCS, contact Vic Smothers at (760) 723-2529. For more information about native plants, contact Clayton Tschudy at (858) 774-7692.

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