Contra Costa’s ecosystem being restored, one indigenous plant at a time

Maame-Abena Dwumfuoh l Contra Costa Youth Journalism

Waterways across Contra Costa County are increasingly threatened by invasive plant species that engulf canals and drains, decreasing biodiversity and reducing safe habitats for wildlife.

In an effort to address and restore the environment, the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is working to reverse that trend. The district hosted its recent 12th annual Giving Natives a Chance event at the Clayton Valley Drain near Concord’s Hillcrest Community Park, inviting volunteers from across the county to plant native species around waterways and drains.

So far, efforts have been placed on Clayton Valley Drain, which connects drains to the Walnut Creek Watershed, Carquinez Strait and ultimately the Pacific Ocean. Each type of native plant species provides different environmental benefits. For example, native grass species can provide erosion control and fire prevention while working well with the flood control management goals.

Lisa Damerel, a watershed conservation manager with the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, said planting native grass and plant species is crucial to the environment.

“Some of the insects that live in our area actually need these plants to be able to go through their cycles,” Damerel said. “If they don’t have those plants, they can’t do that. It’s a very complex relationship.”

Since the project began in 2013, the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has planted more than 50,000 creeping wild rye grass plugs and valley sedge, pulled invasive weeds and cleaned up creeks in the county every year.

Volunteers spent a crisp recent Saturday planting creeping wild rye grass, removing invasive plant species and educating new participants. Due to volunteer engagement, the Clayton Valley Drain was reported to be at a 100% native cover in 2024, significantly more than the 5% native cover from the beginning of the project in 2013.

A 2024 report, conducted by The Restoration Trust, a nonprofit focusing primarily on native habitat restoration in Central and Northern California, confirmed this trend while noting a decrease in invasive plant species covering the Clayton Valley.

“Each creek is different, which makes it hard to keep track of new invasive species,” said Michelle Cordis, a supervising civil engineer for the Contra Costa County Public Works Department. “If we don’t keep that in check, the problem can quickly get out of hand.”

Due to dedicated volunteers each year, visible changes can be seen being made in previous planting locations. Monica Sudduth, a volunteer with San Francisco State University’s Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, agrees.

“It’s important that we as a community see ourselves as caregivers not only of each other but the environment,” Sudduth said. “This event promotes that very work.”

Similarly, volunteer Max Shea, a recent life science graduate from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, said the environmental community work in Contra Costa County is very important.

“We are part of a larger ecosystem,” Shea said. “Part of taking care of an ecosystem that feeds us is being that caregiver.”

Although this event has gained more attention through social media, it struggled to attract volunteers when it first began.

John Zentner, The Restoration Trust’s board president, marveled at how far the event has come over the years.

“When we started this, it was tough to get 20 or 30 people,” Zentner said. “Getting more people involved and more people educated is an element I’m really excited (that) we’re seeing here.”

In recent years, Giving Natives a Chance has attracted hundreds of volunteers, allowing more native plants to grow in ecosystems that need them most.

As Giving Natives a Chance continues to flourish, organizers and volunteers hope to expand to more waterways in Contra Costa County and fully repair the Clayton Valley Drain.

“The vision here is to restore the entire channel,” Zentner said. “I think if we do a little bit every year and we learn from that, ultimately we’re going to be successful. I don’t see any doubt about it.”

Contra Costa Youth Journalism is a collaborative effort involving educational institutions and professional news organizations dedicated to expanding opportunities for Contra Costa County high school students to inform Contra Costa County residents about relevant local news.