Sepulveda Basin Wildlife ReserveBull CreekL.A. RiverEncino Creek, Hayvenhurst Creek and Woodley Creeks
 
POTENTIAL WILDLIFE RESERVE EXPANSION AREAS
Encino Creek
 

above, Encino Creek seen from Hjelte Field parking lot looking northwest;
dominant trees are non-native evergreen ash and palms.
 
     
 

This mostly unmanaged drainage into the Los Angeles River parallels Burbank Blvd. While giant reed grass is being controlled, this degraded riparian area
that does have some native willow is increasingly choked with non-native trees such as evergreen ash, tree of heaven, and palms. The eucalyptus plantings
along Burbank Blvd. create a constant source of seeds. The evergreen ash trees are getting taller than the native willows, eventually shading the native trees out.
Illegal dumping also takes place along Burbank Blvd. adjacent to Encino Creek. With the removal of non-native plants, this area could be transformed into
a more valuable wildlife habitat. Encino Creek eventually flows into the L.A. River below Burbank Blvd.

 
     
 
 
     
 
Woodley Creek
 
     
 

above, Woodley Channel is a drainage running on the west side of Woodley Avenue.
  
     
 
The drainage channel with gunnite banks that parallels Woodley Avenue (south of Victory) eventually flows into the Los Angeles River.
There are a few small willows and some native aquatic vegetation. Perhaps this channel could be improved into a creek with bio-engineered banks
to allow native plants to grow, provide shade, and become a public amenity as well.
  
     
 
 
     
 
Hayvenhurst Creek
  
     
 

above, bridge leading to clubhouse at Woodley Lakes golf course.
  
     
 

This channel starts at Victory Blvd. and is a concrete-lined ditch that runs in a straight line on the east side of Anthony Beilenson Park (home of Lake Balboa), and flows into the L.A. River. While home to a few native willows, is dominated by non-native trees such as evergreen ash and non-native Johnson grass lining the channel. Now that the public crosses Hayvenhurst Creek to get to the Woodley Lakes golf course clubhouse, it would be appropriate to revegetate the entire Creek with native plants.

  
     
 
 
     
 
Haskell Creek (north of the Wildlife Reserve)
  
     
 

above, area outlined in red, including Haskell Creek and the area directly to the east,
is currently a weedy area and a constant source of Russian thistle, castor bean and other weed seeds.
 
     
 
Expanding the Wildlife Reserve to incorporate this area would improve habitat for wildlife and reduce weed problems in the Wildlife Reserve itself,
as the tumbleweeds blow to the south during high Santa Ana winds. Haskell Creek itself has a few willows, but mostly the trees are
non-natives including evergreen ash, eucalyptus, tree of heaven, black locust and others.
  
     
     
 
 
 
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