Removal of invasive plants, restoration of natural habitat in Torrance’s Henrietta Basin begins – Daily Breeze

Report on the Ecological Restoration of Henrietta Basin and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Strategic Expansion

The South Bay Parkland Conservancy (SBPC), an environmental non-profit organization, has initiated an ecological restoration project at the Henrietta Basin in Torrance. This marks the 11th rewilding location for the conservancy, reflecting organic growth driven by an expanding volunteer base and increased collaborative interest. The project directly addresses the deterioration of the 7.5-acre water retention basin, which has suffered from neglect and the proliferation of non-native plant species over the past five years.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land

The primary objective of the Henrietta Basin project is the restoration of its terrestrial ecosystem, a core target of SDG 15. The initiative focuses on halting biodiversity loss and restoring the native habitat to support local wildlife.

• Combating Invasive Species: Coordinated volunteer events are focused on the systematic removal of non-native vegetation that has overtaken the basin.
• Restoring Native Flora: Following the removal of invasive plants, the project will introduce native species, including weeds, sages, and wildflower seeds, to re-establish a balanced ecosystem.
• Protecting Biodiversity: The restoration of native habitats is essential for the survival of local pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, thereby preserving and enhancing local biodiversity.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The Henrietta Basin is one of 17 stormwater retention basins in Torrance, playing a critical role in local water management. The restoration project enhances the basin’s functionality, contributing to the objectives of SDG 6.

• Groundwater Replenishment: A healthy, functioning basin improves the natural replenishment of local groundwater and freshwater supplies.
• Flood Prevention: By ensuring the basin operates effectively, the project helps mitigate the risk of localized flooding, a key aspect of water-related ecosystem management.

Fostering Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

This initiative improves urban green space and promotes community engagement, directly supporting the creation of sustainable and resilient cities as outlined in SDG 11.

• Enhancing Urban Green Space: The project revitalizes a significant public space, transforming it into a healthy habitat zone that benefits both wildlife and the community.
• Community Engagement: Through monthly restoration events, the project provides opportunities for community members to connect with urban nature and participate directly in the stewardship of their local environment.
• Building Resilience: The restoration work helps prevent fire and erosion, contributing to the overall environmental resilience of the urban landscape.

Implementing Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of the Henrietta Basin restoration is founded on a multi-stakeholder partnership, demonstrating the collaborative approach advocated by SDG 17.

1. South Bay Parkland Conservancy (SBPC): Provides expert guidance, environmental education, and mobilizes a passionate and knowledgeable volunteer workforce.
2. City of Torrance: Provides official support through its Adopt-a-Park program, including funding for seeds, tools, and personal protective equipment. The city recognized SBPC’s successful track record at other sites, including Esplanade Bluffs and Seaside Heroes Park.
3. Madrona Marsh Preserve: Collaborates by providing nursery and propagation space for growing native plants from locally collected seeds. This practice ensures the maintenance of natural genetic variations within the hyper-local plant communities.

Methodology and Future Actions

The restoration follows a structured, nature-based methodology with a clear schedule for ongoing work.

• Scheduled Events: Restoration events are held on the third Saturday of each month, inviting community-wide participation.
• Seasonal Planting: The planting of native species is timed to coincide with the rainy season to follow natural cues and maximize plant survival.
• Post-Planting Care: Newly established plants receive supplemental watering during their first year to ensure their root systems are well-established.
• Ongoing Collaboration: The partnership between SBPC and the City of Torrance is set to become official for the maintenance of Seaside Heroes Park, indicating a long-term commitment to urban habitat restoration.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article states that the Henrietta Basin is one of 17 stormwater retention basins in Torrance that “exist to replenish groundwater and freshwater, and prevent localized flooding.” This directly connects the project to the management of water resources and water-related ecosystems.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The project focuses on restoring a 7.5-acre green space within the city of Torrance. The collaboration between the city’s “Adopt-a-Park” program and the South Bay Parkland Conservancy (SBPC) is an effort to improve urban nature, make the community more resilient by preventing flooding and fire, and provide opportunities for community members to “connect with urban nature.”
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The restoration efforts contribute to climate resilience and adaptation. The article mentions that the work helps in “preventing fire and erosion” and preventing “localized flooding,” which are key measures for adapting to the impacts of climate change.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • This is the most central SDG to the article. The project is described as an “ecological restoration” and “rewilding” effort. Key activities include removing “non-native plants,” planting “native plants,” and expanding “Torrance’s habitat zones to benefit our local wildlife.” The stated goal is to nurture a “more biodiverse and resilient planet” and preserve biodiversity by allowing “pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds to thrive.”
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article is built around the partnership between the non-profit SBPC and the city of Torrance. It highlights this collaboration, stating, “we are now collaborating with the city of Torrance and their Adopt-a-Park program.” It also mentions further partnerships with the “Madrona Marsh and the Friends of Madrona Marsh,” demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to achieving environmental goals.

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

1. Under SDG 6:
   • Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems…” The project is explicitly focused on the “revitalizing” and “restoration” of the Henrietta Basin, a water retention basin crucial for replenishing groundwater.
2. Under SDG 11:
   • Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…” The restoration of the Henrietta Basin improves a public space and provides an opportunity for “community members… to connect with urban nature” through volunteer events.
   • Target 11.b: “…implementing integrated policies and plans towards… adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters…” The project’s goals of “preventing fire and erosion” and preventing “localized flooding” directly align with increasing the city’s resilience to disasters.
3. Under SDG 13:
   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters…” The project’s work to manage stormwater, prevent flooding, and mitigate fire risks enhances the local community’s ability to adapt to climate-related hazards.
4. Under SDG 15:
   • Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems…” The entire initiative is a direct example of habitat restoration within an urban terrestrial ecosystem.
   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity…” The project aims to reverse the “deterioration of the native species” and expand habitats to “benefit our local wildlife,” directly addressing biodiversity loss.
   • Target 15.8: “By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species…” A primary activity described in the article is the “removal of invasive species” and tackling the “overpopulation of non-native plants.”
5. Under SDG 17:
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article details the successful partnership between the city of Torrance (public) and the SBPC (civil society), which is expanding to include other sites like Seaside Heroes Park.

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

1. Area of restored ecosystem: The article specifies the size of the Henrietta Basin as “7.5 acres.” This provides a quantifiable measure of the land area undergoing ecological restoration.
2. Number of restoration sites: The Henrietta Basin is mentioned as the SBPC’s “11th location for ecological restoration,” and the article notes that the partnership for “Seaside Heroes Park in Torrance… will soon become official.” The number of sites serves as an indicator of the project’s growth and impact.
3. Community engagement levels: Progress can be measured by the number of volunteers participating in the restoration events. The article implies this by stating “our volunteer base grows” and inviting “all members of the community to attend” the monthly events.
4. Frequency of restoration activities: The article states that events are held “once a month” and will continue “on every third Saturday of the month.” This regular schedule is an indicator of sustained effort and commitment to the restoration goals.
5. Management of invasive species: A direct indicator would be the area cleared of non-native plants. The article emphasizes that SBPC has “already held three restoration events at the Henrietta Basin — removing invasive species.”
6. Increase in native biodiversity: The success of planting “native plants like weeds, sages and wild flower seeds” can be measured. The ultimate goal is to allow “pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds to thrive,” so monitoring the populations of these species would be a key indicator of restored ecosystem health.
7. Number of established partnerships: The article highlights the collaboration between SBPC, the City of Torrance, and the Madrona Marsh. The number and effectiveness of such partnerships are a direct indicator for measuring progress on SDG 17.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dailybreeze.com