10
THE DAVEY BULLETIN
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September/October 2023
VISION
Over the past two years, a Davey Resource Group (DRG),
Utility Vegetation Management services (UVM) team has
been working with Southern California Edison (SCE) on a
25-acre plot of right-of-way (ROW) integrated vegetation
management pilot project. The goal was to develop a pollinator
habitat by minimizing invasive species and replacing those
by planting native seed mixes, while reducing wildfire risk
within the ROW, as well as beautifying the property to
help discourage those using it as a dumping ground for trash.
Located in San Bernadino County, the site consists of sandy
soil and does not have a high capacity to hold water. The
weather is persistently windy, with hot and dry summers.
The most measurable precipitation occurs from November
through March. These factors were considered when
choosing the right seed mixes to plant.
Karen Rosson, associate consultant, DRG, UVM, consulted
with local seed suppliers when choosing appropriate seed
mixes. Low-growing native, Xerxes Southern California low
profile pollinator, and California native grassland mixes were
selected. Daron Dondero, account manager, DRG, UVM,
assisted with post-emergent herbicide processes, as well
as water management.
PILOT I.V.M. PROJECT PROGRESSES ON SAN BERNADINO R.O.W.
"Because it's dry and windy, there were a lot of curveballs
thrown at us. The team adapted and figured out ways to
make it work. Sometimes that meant starting earlier in the
day than we usually do and coming back later in the evening
when the winds died down," said Vince Mikulanis, director
of Western operations.
Pre-emergent herbicide is not being used because it would
prevent desirable species from being able to sprout, which
requires the team to go back to spot treat for invasives
that grow. "Invasives like Russian thistle grow during the
summer and are extremely hardy. So, we go in and start
spraying for that with post-emergent herbicide in the middle
of summer," said Chris Fleming, UVM lead specialist.
Mikulanis said they had a rough winter from 2021 into
2022 as far as rain and did not get a whole lot of response
from what had been planted. "We got a much better
response after getting a lot of rain at the end of 2022 into
the beginning of 2023," he said.
Imprint seeding was successful. "Indentations are made
in the ground where moisture can gather, which helps the
seedlings along. It's nice to see some of the different
techniques we are trying are useful," Mikulanis said.
An up-close shot of eschscholzia californica, known as California poppies,
and nemophila menziesii, known as baby blue eyes, bloomed in April.
In April 2023, wildflowers
and native grasses take hold.
The 25-acre ROW property in June 2021, prior to the start of the IVM
pilot project. Inset: An aerial view of the property.
