Camp okihi restoration project abstractcamp okihi provides riparian and upland transitional habitat for local species using and traveling the kern river corridor

Camp okihi is occupied by the white wolf wellness foundation (WWWF). The WWWF and county are working with nrcs to remove non-native vegetation and to plant milkweed for monarch butterflies. Recently (early 2023) the kern river flooded and caused erosion concerns along the rivers edge side of the property and at a large culvert entering the property from a steep slope cutting under the public road and then dissipating on the property. Recently beavers have been occasionally using the property harvesting riparian trees and utilizing the stream edges. IT is likely these beavers are the same ones that have been using ming lake located about a mile upstream from camp okihi. Maintaining suitable forage habitat will help support the ming lake beaver population. Finally, there is an area of non-native salt cedar growing along the roadside of the property. Unfortunately, tackling a full salt cedar removal project is beyond the scope of this project however, IT is important to address the salt cedar encroachment, and to develop a long-term removal strategy, that will have a plan in place, in case there is a future opportunity to remove the unwanted trees. Habitat restoration actions are currently underway and moving forward under a nrcs contract. This project will complement the nrcs efforts by: 1. Restoring 2-acres native riparian vegetation and securing vegetive erosion control in areas impacted by flood damage.2. Planting native vegetation features designed to improve habitat for beaver populations, riparian birds, and local species traveling the kern river corridor. 3. Improving an existing small, vegetated storm water catchment area and planting native hydrophytic vegetation to create a raingarden feature. (groundwork contingent upon securing compliance and permits).4. Planting 3-acres native upland trees, shrubs, and pollinator plants to create a year-round supply of flowering plants for pollinators.5. Improving the 500-feet of trail system and installing signage to provide outdoor education opportunities at the wellness center.6. Removing a small area of salt cedar around the raingarden to begin converting the area back to native vegetation and generating a salt cedar removal action plan to facilitate future potential actions.7. Installing a small on-site greenhouse to provide ongoing native plantings needed to replace beaver harvested trees and enhance native plants in all project areas as needed