For those of you new to reading our blog articles, welcome. The Fillmore Fish Hatchery restoration was open to the public once a month for 4 months. Sierra Club invited volunteers and we planted some native vegetation, took out unwanted weeds and also made a small trail for people to see and learn about native plants.

On the first day of this program there was just dirt and it seemed like nothing would grow here. By the last day the Fish Hatchery looked so green and full of life. The little plants that were planted on the first day made it through and are growing; it seems that none of the plants have wilted or dried up.

We had about 40 volunteers who came to the final day for the fish hatchery. Even though it was a cold, windy Sunday they all stayed to help out.  There were a lot of kids once again, for example Miles and Elliot came to the Fish Hatchery one last time. It’s a shame I didn’t get the chance to talk to them because they were so busy with planting and getting their hands dirty. I was able to interview some of the new kids at the event.

Maya age 5 ½ and Alex age 8 came to the Fish Hatchery for the first time with their parents. They didn’t seem shy at all when I got to talking to them.

                        What’s your favorite part?

                                    “Putting down the flags!”- Maya

                                    “Planting and seeing nature.”- Alex

I would have asked more questions but both Alex and Maya began to interview me. They are the sweetest kids I have ever met. Before the garden work, the two kids were really happy to have had the chance to feed the fish. Maya was so sweet that she wanted me to go feed the fish with her.

I also had the chance to talk to Maya and Alex’s parents (Patrick and Yuko Foy). They work for Boston Scientific and thought that since this event was kid friendly to come with their kids. Apparently according to Alex, the Foy’s do events such as this all the time.

It’s always nice to seeing families at events like this. I have high hopes that the Fillmore Fish Hatchery Garden, or officially known as the Sespe Cienega Restoration Garden, will grow beautifully and a lot of people will come to visit it. I’d like to thank all of the volunteers who came for the four days of this project. If it weren’t for you this garden wouldn’t have had its glorious start.

Written by Sam Marin, an English major at Oxnard College

Before and after 50 pots of native grass go in the garden!