Abstract
Riparian corridors are essential components of the landscape, supporting healthy streams and surrounding habitats by stabilizing banks, retaining water, and regulating stream temperatures. Indigenous peoples have stewarded these environments since time immemorial, cultivating deep relationships with the land and its culturally significant plants. Their continued ability to practice, transmit, and sustain this knowledge is vital not only for maintaining Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) but also for fostering resilient and healthy ecosystems. The purpose of this project was to revegetate a riparian area of School Creek with culturally significant plants. School Creek is a tributary in the Baduwa’t watershed at Blue Lake Rancheria located in Humboldt County, California, which was a main focus of past environmental science capstone projects at Cal Poly Humboldt. To accomplish the objectives of this project, we worked with Blue Lake Rancheria’s native plant specialist. This study involved mapping site conditions pre- and post-planting, as well as assisting in the physical removal of introduced invasive species and the planting of native riparian species. Mortality rates of native species plantings varied greatly across the site from past capstone plantings, even where physical conditions were similar. This project seeks to establish a more robust baseline data set to identify potential mortality causes and refine protocols for future restoration. Our results suggest that microtopography and species selection may contribute to the successful establishment of plantings. These findings identify the need for a more refined revegetation plan and further implementation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to support the long-term restoration of School Creek.
Date
Fall 2025
Department
Environmental Science & Management
Concentration/Emphasis
Ecological Restoration
Advisor/Professor
Daniel Lipe
Citation Style
APA