Millard Canyon Restoration Project Update

From Mike Hickman on Lower Canyon Crest:

Hi All,


Some of you may have wondered what has become of the MCCP in recent months. Well, there is the weather, and then there is the weather (there have been a few other issues as well, but I won't go into them here). And now, back to the weather: as some of you may know, the rains during the past few months have caused massive water flow in Lower Millard.

Twice last month the bridge at the hairpin turn has washed out causing some real headaches for the Public Works Dept. and residents of the meadows. At times Millard Creek has crested between 6 and 14 feet above normal (depending on the width of the canyon channel). This condition has drastically altered the character of the streambed and in some sections it has changed the course of the stream.

Virtually all the areas we had performed volunteer work removing invasives have been washed away, as were the areas we had intended to work in the future. Most of the soil has washed away, leaving bedrock and gravel beds which have not seen the light of day for many, many years. Several trees along the stream were also washed away making the streambed area much wider. All of the thick infestations of Himalayan Blackberry, Cape Ivy, and Eupatorium are gone. There are a few tenacious blackberry canes still clinging to some of the banks upstream and some healthy Cape Ivy patches on some of the upslopes of the canyon, but essentially, much of the restoration work that would have taken years of volunteer days to accomplish has been done by Mother Nature doing a bit of her own "housecleaning".

It appears to me that a much healthier "environmental situation" now exists which should greatly benefit the many aquatic species that inhabit the stream, as well as the various faunal and avian species that depend on the area.

In the 15 years I have lived here and hiked the canyon I have never seen such remarkable change. This makes one reflect on all our meager, well intentioned efforts at "restoration".

Anyway, I thought some of you might like to know about the current situation. We plan on organizing an informational hike into the canyon within the next few weeks for those who would like to view these changes. I will keep you posted regarding the date and time.

Regards,

Mike Hickman

Millard Canyon Conservation Project--Volunteer Day

From Mike Hickman -

Well, it's that time again! Bird nesting season is officially over for this year and we can once again get back to doing restoration work and invasive weed removal in Lower Millard Canyon.
Our next Volunteer Day will be this coming Saturday, October 24, 9am to 1:30pm.

As usual, we will gather in my driveway at 9am sharp (3617 Canyon Crest Rd., Altadena 91001)
You will need to wear long pants and hiking shoes/boots. Layering with a long sleeve shirt is also recommended.

We supply gloves, tools, snacks and water.

A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT: We have installed railroad tie stairs leading into the canyon work area, eliminating the difficult and steep hike into and out of the canyon some of you may remember from last season. Getting there and back is much easier and only takes a few minutes now.

At this point, I would like thank and welcome those of you who signed up recently for the volunteer notifications and say we look forward to getting to know you better as we all work toward improving the wildland habitat in the canyon.
So thanks in advance, and I hope a whole bunch of you show up Saturday.

Any questions?
Mike Hickman
(626) 398-6471

PCC Collects e-Waste

The Pasadena City College Flea Market, held the first Sunday of every month from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., has been conducting e-Waste collection for the benefit of the community.

Tri-Products collects all e-Waste goods in the parking lot at Hill Avenue and Del Mar Blvd. The next flea market is this Sunday, Oct. 4.

Water Use Workshop, Saturday Aug. 29

Altadena Heritage will is having a workshop on water use in the landscape including effective irrigation systems and practices, rain water harvesting and greywater systems.

Saturday, August 29 from from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

Irrigation contractor Tom Poplin will explain how to retrofit old systems, and a representative from J. Harold Mitchell Irrigation Supply will answer all questions.

Free to members, $5 to non-members. For more information, visit Altadenaheritage@earthlink.net or call (626) 797-0054.

HHW / E-Waste Collection May 16

Here's a convenient Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste clean-up event hosted by L.A. County Sanitation:
Saturday, May 16th from 9-3.
Between Mountain View and Figueroa, west of Lincoln Ave.


Examples of E-Waste that WILL BE accepted:
computer monitors and televisions
computer cpu's and key boards
printers and copiers
cell phones

Examples of what WILL NOT be accepted:
refrigerators or white goods
ammunition
trash or tires
E-Waste from Businesses

What you CAN bring to a Household Hazardous Waste collection:
Motor oil, oil filters, brake fluid
Used antifreeze
Paint, paint thinner, turpentine
Cleaners with acid or lye
Pesticides or herbicides
Household batteries or car batteries
Pool chemicals
CRT's, old TV's, misc. electronics
Mercury thermometers or thermostats
Used Needles or Sharps (In a Sharps container or sturdy box labeled "SHARPS")
Unwanted or expired prescriptions

What you CANNOT bring to a HHW collection:
Explosives
Ammunition
Radioactive Materials
Trash
Tires
Business Waste
White Goods (stoves, fridges, etc.)
Controlled Substances

How should you prepare?
Bring the items you wish to dispose of in a sturdy box preferably in their original, labeled containers.
Do not EVER mix products together.
It is ILLEGAL to transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste in your personal vehicle.
Be prepared to leave your containers. Because of permitting requirements, and the volume of people that utilize the program, items such as gasoline cans WILL NOT be returned.

Millard Canyon Conservation

Hi Gang!
Well it's that time again--time for another Volunteer Canyon Clean-up Day! This coming Saturday, February 28.
As usual, we will meet at my driveway (3617 Canyon Crest Rd. Altadena, 91001) at 9am sharp, take a short hike into the canyon, uproot as many of those nasty invasive, non-native plants as we can in 4 hours, then hike back out of the canyon feeling satisfied that we have done something positive for the environment.

At the risk of being redundant, I'll mention again that you will need sturdy hiking shoes/boots, long pants (and bring a long sleeve shirt). Tools, gloves, water and snacks will be provided--we just want your bodies.

Please come and help.

If you have any questions or discussion, contact me at (626) 398-6471 or email: vht@att.net.

Thanks,
Mike Hickman

Millard Canyon Conservation Project Update

From our neighbor on Canyon Crest:

I'm scheduling our first Volunteer Day 2009 for this coming Saturday, January 10 for more weed removal in Millard Canyon. As usual, Volunteers will meet at my driveway at 9am sharp for a short hike into the canyon where we will remove invasive plant species (weeds) for about 4 hours, after which we will hike back out, go home and feel good in the knowledge that we have actually done something to help improve the environment!

This is a great way to start putting those New Year resolutions to work (and deal with any excess holiday poundage that may have accumulated).

For those of you who aren't familiar with the program, I'll reiterate:
wear hiking boots and long pants, and bring a long sleeve shirt.
Gloves, tools, water and snacks will be provided--we just want your bodies!

Meet 9am at:
3617 Canyon Crest Road
Altadena, 91001

Any questions? Call me at 626-398-6471 or email vht@att.net

Hope I see you there! Thanks,
Mike Hickman