Cal Poly Humboldt students display invasive plants removed from the South Fork Smith watershed (Photo- Mike Splain)

Just as spring had sprung, a contingency of dedicated volunteers converged on Rock Creek Ranch to kick off the 2025 stewardship field season. Most participants were student-members of Cal Poly Humboldt’s Natural Resources Club, making good on its mission of “Restoring Ecosystems, one Saturday at a Time!” Saturday, March 29th would mark the Club’s latest outing in a decades-long run of collaborative service projects with Smith River Alliance (SRA). After a safety briefing and lunch, volunteers geared up and departed to project sites throughout the South Fork watershed.

One of the service projects was an infestation of invasive Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), French broom (Genista monspessulana), and pampas grass (Cortaderia spp.) displacing native flora between Rock Creek and Boulder Creek. Using McClouds, weed wrenches, and occasional brute force, volunteers extracted hundreds of broom plants from the South Fork canyon. A fixed rope was essential on some of the steep, unconsolidated slopes below South Fork Road. The most delicate and challenging work included excavating pampas grass that had taken up residence amid butterwort, pitcher plants, and other rare species inhabiting a roadside seep.

Meanwhile, another group meticulously removed shell casings, appliances, plastics, abandoned gear, and other toxic debris from a target-shooting area just a few miles downstream. Six River National Forest Law Enforcement provided security as volunteers rounded up a surprising array of items, including discarded furniture and a bullet-riddled gun safe. The volunteer crew’s final haul filled the SRA trailer to the rim and weighed in at an impressive 980 pounds. A substantial volume of recyclables was also delivered to the Del Norte Transfer Station.

Volunteers and a Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer with 980 pounds of trash removed from a target shooting area in the South Fork Smith watershed (Photo- Grant Werschkull)

These projects were made possible with support from the Firedoll Foundation, Cal Poly Humboldt Natural Resources Club, Del Norte County Agricultural Commission, Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority, and the Six Rivers National Forest Smith River National Recreation Area. Special thanks to Hiouchi Café for feeding the crew and to all the amazing SRA volunteers and donors who provide sweat-equity and funding to keep the Smith watershed wild and scenic!

With generous support from the City of Crescent City and donors like you, planning is already underway for July 5th, Coastal Cleanup Day, and other volunteer-driven invasives species and cleanup events. We work hard, build community, leave Del Norte County better than we found it, and have fun doing so. To learn more and receive e-alerts about upcoming events, please visit https://smithriveralliance.org/volunteer/ or email volunteer@smithriveralliance.org.