STRAW Creek Restoration 2006 The Bel Aire 4th graders have been working over the last four years to restore Old Mill Creek in Mill Valley to a more natural state.

It was a wet misty day. We met Brita to take us to the work site. We were on our way. Heavy winter rains had taken their toll. We met in a circle... to learn about the day's work... and meet the people from STRAW . Everyone got a pair of gloves. We got started picking up pieces of ivy and pulling out the roots. Many new plants from last year remained. Ivy would come back quickly if we left any. Ivy was put in sacks to be hauled away. Look at the size of that root! Volunteers pitched in and helped. We started digging holes for native plants. It was wet ground, but roots made it hard. But everyone took turns. Markers were put up to protect native plants Who knew roots could be so long? New ferns were planted. Other plants needed protection from deer. This grass will help the bank stay in place. Back to the ivy. It took real strength to get out the stump. Here's another group planting. That's not a can. It's a tube for gel. Loosen the roots before planting. Cover the ground with natural mulch. The single leaf is a new plant. We puts up sticks to protect it for now. Still working on the ivy These, too, are non-native. They need to be dug out. We pulled out a lot of non-native plants. and planted natives like these. It was really muddy and wet, but we made a difference... and had a good time.