Sacramento, CA –Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) thanked the California State Coastal Conservancy for approving a $200,000 grant to the San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) to enhance and restore approximately 4.6 acres of riparian upland habitat at Ocean Knoll Canyon in Encinitas.
 
“I thank the Conservancy for approving funding to help restore the canyon’s natural habitat,” said Senator Bates. “This grant will also improve water quality, promote climate resiliency, and enhance educational opportunities for children. The grant is a win-win for our environment and the community.”
 
Ocean Knoll Canyon is an urbanized coastal watershed where urban run-off and invasive plant species have caused negative environmental impacts. The grant will help fund the removal of invasive species and trash, installation of native plants, and placement of informational signs.
 
The grant will also help fund the collection of seeds to create a seed bank at SDBG, which will conduct research to measure the seeds’ resiliency under various climate conditions. Plants that show the highest resiliency to climate change will be re-integrated back into the canyon to promote growth of adaptable native species.
 
The Conservancy’s governing board approved the grant on September 23. The funding comes from the bipartisan Proposition 1 water bond that California’s voters approved in 2014. For more information about the grant, click here.

Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) represents the 36th Senate District in the California Legislature, which covers South Orange County, North San Diego County, and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Senator Patricia Bates State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814