Remove invasive cordgrass from the Elkhorn Slough public edge (2026-07-19)

Invasive spartina cordgrass has spread through parts of Elkhorn Slough's tidal marsh, crowding out the native pickleweed and eelgrass that anchor the estuary's food web. Hand-pulling young spartina along the public reserve trail edge keeps it from taking over more marsh. Standard: California Coastal Conservancy invasive-spartina removal protocol; Elkhorn Slough Reserve stewardship — SDG 14. Proof: Before/after photos of the cleared spartina patch Method (California Coastal Conservancy invasive-spartina removal protocol; Elkhorn Slough Reserve stewardship — SDG 14.): 1. Confirm the removal area is within the public trail edge, not restricted marsh. 2. Identify spartina by its distinct growth form before pulling. 3. Hand-pull young spartina, removing root material where possible. 4. Bag pulled material for proper disposal, never leave it in the marsh. 5. Photograph the cleared patch with GPS and date. Done when: Before/after photos of the cleared spartina patch

Where

Public trail edge near Elkhorn Slough Reserve, Moss Landing, CA 95039

Pay

$220 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before/after photos of the cleared spartina patch

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

intermediate

Open until

2026-10-19

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 60–120 minutes. Method of record: NOAA coastal habitat (eelgrass / salt marsh) extent + condition

Bring

• tide table
• GPS phone
• quadrat frame
• measuring tape
• boots/waders
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Check the tide table; plan to work the low tide; tell someone your plan and return time.
2. 2. Navigate to the habitat edge; record GPS waypoints along the patch/edge.
3. 3. Photograph the meadow/marsh at low tide.
4. 4. Record shoot/stem density per quadrat and estimate patch extent (or edge scarp height for marsh).
5. 5. Note condition (epiphytes, dieback, wrack) and adjacent land use/armoring.
6. 6. Enter density, extent, condition, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Soft mud / rising tide -> stop and retreat; safety over data.
• Edge retreat or heavy dieback observed -> flag for living-shoreline / protection planning.

What counts as done

• Density (shoots/stems per quadrat) recorded
• Patch extent or edge position recorded via GPS
• Condition + adjacent-use note recorded
• Low-tide photos + GPS waypoints

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.