Volunteers unite to protect Sonoma Coast from invasive species – The Press Democrat

 

Report on Coastal Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Development Goal Alignment at Doran Regional Park

Introduction: Community Action for Global Goals

A volunteer initiative led by the Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is actively restoring coastal ecosystems at Doran Regional Park. Through the weekly removal of invasive species, this program directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on the preservation of biodiversity and the health of terrestrial and marine environments. This report outlines the ecological challenges, the strategic interventions undertaken, and the project’s significant contributions to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

The Ecological Challenge: Invasive Species and Biodiversity Threats

The primary threat to the Sonoma Coast ecosystem is the proliferation of invasive alien species, most notably ice plant. Originally introduced from South Africa in the 1800s for soil stabilization along railroad tracks and highways, its presence has resulted in severe ecological degradation. The negative impacts directly contravene the objectives of SDG 15.

• Ecosystem Domination: Ice plant grows rapidly, forming a dense monoculture that suffocates and displaces native flora.
• Biodiversity Loss: It disrupts the local food web, as native insects show little interest in it, causing a cascading effect on larger animals that depend on those insects for food. This is a direct threat to SDG Target 15.5, which aims to halt the loss of biodiversity.
• Ineffective Erosion Control: With shallow roots growing only 3 to 6 inches deep, the plant fails to provide the long-term soil stabilization for which it was originally planted, leaving the coastline vulnerable.

Strategic Intervention: The Invasive Species Management Program

For approximately a decade, the California Native Plant Society has orchestrated a volunteer-driven program to manage and eradicate invasive species. The program represents a targeted effort to meet SDG Target 15.8, which calls for measures to prevent the introduction and reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems. Volunteers meet weekly to manually remove ice plant and European dune grass, restoring the natural balance of the salt marsh and dune habitats.

Measurable Impacts and Progress Towards SDG 15 (Life on Land)

The sustained efforts of the volunteers have yielded significant and visible results, demonstrating tangible progress in ecosystem restoration. The areas managed by the group show a resurgence of native plant life, a key indicator of success in achieving the goals of SDG 15.

Key Achievements:

1. Habitat Restoration: Volunteers have successfully cleared the 1.2-mile Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail and large sections along the bay side of the park, allowing native species to thrive.
2. Native Plant Reintroduction: Approximately 18 months ago, the group planted 2,000 native plants near the park’s boardwalk, actively rebuilding the local ecosystem.
3. Protection of Native Flora: The program provides critical protection for vulnerable native species, including:
• Point Reyes Bird’s Beak
• Sand verbena
• Marsh rosemary
• Salt grass
• Common rush

Broader Contributions to Sustainable Development

The project’s impact extends beyond terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to a wider range of global sustainability targets.

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water: By restoring the health of coastal salt marshes and dunes, the initiative directly supports SDG Target 14.2, which aims to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from adverse impacts. A healthy shoreline is integral to the vitality of the adjacent Bodega Harbor marine environment.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This community-led action safeguards local natural heritage, a core component of SDG Target 11.4. The work ensures that Doran Regional Park, a vital public space, remains an ecologically healthy and resilient “gem” for current and future generations.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The program exemplifies SDG 17 by fostering collaboration. It unites a non-profit organization (California Native Plant Society), dedicated community volunteers, and corporate citizenship through programs like Sonoma Clean Power’s employee giveback hours.

Conclusion: A Model for Localized SDG Implementation

The invasive species removal project at Doran Regional Park serves as a compelling model for how localized, community-driven conservation efforts can directly contribute to the achievement of global Sustainable Development Goals. The dedication of volunteers has led to measurable improvements in biodiversity (SDG 15), coastal ecosystem health (SDG 14), and community stewardship (SDG 11), all powered by effective partnerships (SDG 17). This initiative underscores the critical role of community engagement in translating global sustainability ambitions into tangible, local action.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article’s primary focus is on protecting a terrestrial coastal ecosystem by removing invasive species to allow native plants to thrive. This directly addresses the goal of halting biodiversity loss and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The volunteer work takes place on the Sonoma Coast, in and around Doran Regional Park, which includes salt marsh and dune habitats. The effort to manage these coastal ecosystems contributes to the protection of marine and coastal environments.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The work is conducted in Doran Regional Park, a public green space. The volunteers’ efforts aim to preserve the park’s natural heritage for the community and future generations, as articulated by a volunteer who wants to “keep it this way for generations to come.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The initiative is a collaborative effort involving a civil society organization (the California Native Plant Society), community volunteers, and a corporate entity (Sonoma Clean Power) whose employee participates in a “giveback hours” program. This exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership for sustainable development.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and… protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article describes the protection of native species like the “Point Reyes Bird’s Beak” by managing the habitat.
2. Target 15.8: “By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.” The entire article is about the work of volunteers to “pull ice plant, European dune grass and other invasives” to reduce their impact on the coastal ecosystem. Ice plant is identified as “public enemy number one.”

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration.” The work is focused on restoring the “salt marsh and dune habitats” on the Sonoma Coast by removing invasive species and planting native ones.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” The volunteer program is a direct effort to safeguard the natural heritage of the Sonoma Coast by preserving its native ecosystem within a public park.
2. Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.” The work ensures that Doran Regional Park, a public space, is maintained in its natural state for the community to enjoy. A volunteer calls it a “gem in the county” that needs to be taken care of.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.” The project is a partnership between the California Native Plant Society (civil society), local volunteers (public), and Sonoma Clean Power (private sector, through its employee volunteer program).

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Qualitative Indicators of Ecosystem Health

• The article states, “Native plants are thriving in the areas we’ve managed, which is a good sign.” This serves as a direct qualitative indicator of restoration success.
• The protection of specific native species, such as “Point Reyes Bird’s Beak, sand verbena, marsh rosemary, salt grass and common rush,” can be monitored to measure progress in halting biodiversity loss.

Quantitative Indicators of Restoration and Removal Efforts

• Area Restored: The article mentions that volunteers “have cleared ice plant from the 1.2-mile Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail.”
• Number of Plants Planted: It is explicitly stated that “volunteers planted roughly 2,000 native plants near the boardwalk on the beach side.”
• Volume of Invasive Species Removed: While difficult to quantify precisely, the article provides metrics like “a crew of about 12 individuals had pulled out 10-12 bins worth of ice plant” in 15 minutes, and the resulting pile was “several feet wide and several feet tall.”

Indicators of Partnership and Community Engagement

• Volunteer Participation: The article mentions a “group of volunteers,” a “crew of about 12 individuals,” and weekly work shifts, implying that the number of volunteers and volunteer hours are key metrics.
• Corporate Engagement: The participation of an employee from “Sonoma Clean Power” logging “giveback hours” serves as an indicator of private sector involvement.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 15: Life on Land	15.5: Halt biodiversity loss and protect threatened species.	Qualitative assessment that “Native plants are thriving.” Status of protected native species (e.g., Point Reyes Bird’s Beak). Number of native plants planted (e.g., “roughly 2,000 native plants”).
SDG 15: Life on Land	15.8: Reduce the impact of invasive alien species.	Area cleared of invasive species (e.g., “1.2-mile Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail”). Volume of invasive species removed (e.g., “10-12 bins worth of ice plant”). Control/eradication of priority species (“ice plant, European dune grass”).
SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.2: Protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems.	Actions taken to restore coastal habitats (salt marsh, dunes). Removal of invasive species threatening the coastal ecosystem.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.4: Protect the world’s natural heritage.	Existence of a volunteer program to safeguard the natural heritage of Doran Regional Park.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.17: Encourage effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Number of volunteers and volunteer hours contributed. Number of participating organizations (California Native Plant Society, Sonoma Clean Power).

Source: pressdemocrat.com