Citizen scientists headed to Juan Bautista de Anza in Calabasas to study the impacts of the Woolsey Fire. Two years later, the once charred hillside is growing some grasses and plenty of mustard plants. The trail we used last year was a bit trickier to navigate with the tall, dried mustard plants in the way. We took note of how close the sites were to the nearby jungle gym and outdoor hockey field.
Unlike other events, our post-fire studies include collecting soil both from the upper 3cm and the lower 10cm of soil from a site. We use a post-hole digger to collect the deeper sample while minimizing environmental impact. We emphasize the importance of having as little of a trace as possible to ensure the habitat is able to maintain its integrity.
Several undergraduates were able to get their first taste of fieldwork with the guidance of experienced citizen scientists to help out with protocol. One of the best ways to get rid of those nerves and jitters is to get outside and try it out!
