Halting an invasion

By taking arms against a sea of exotic vegetation, local volunteers created a local gem.

In the two decades following the 18-acre Shipley Nature Center’s founding in 1974, it was a thriving example of the region’s local flora and fauna, right in Huntington Beach’s Central Park.

But then, due to budget cuts and a severe staffing decrease, the area became overrun by non-native plants, which sucked up the area’s ground water, posed fire hazards and crowded out its native species.

The city finally closed the center in 2002, and it lay dormant, becoming ever more choked with exotic plants. Later that year, an upstart group identifying itself as the Friends of Shipley Nature Center turned the tables on the issue, offering to lease and restore the center.

Since then, thousands of people and dozens of unions have donated time to restore the center and remove tens of thousands of non-native plants, turning it into an emblem of volunteerism for the city.

It opened again four years later.

This Saturday, local residents frustrated by their own battles with tamarisk and other invasive species will have the chance to purchase their own California native flora at the center’s Harvest Festival.

“Every year at this weekend, we have our annual plant sale as the start of the planting season for California native plants,” said Center Office and Nursery Coordinator Carol Williams. “This year they thought they would also add a Harvest Festival.”

The center’s Spring Festivals have been extremely popular.

“Every time we have an event, it seems like more and more people are coming,” Williams said.

More than 100 species ranging from ceanothus to salvia will be available. Experts will be on hand to give advice on what and where to plant; specimen gardens will display the variety of flora on offer.

Shipley’s website, www.shipleynature.org, contains pictures of many of the plants on sale. The center also has planned a series of tours throughout the day that will take visitors through the area’s back country.

Beef Palace has supplied hot dogs and bratwurst, and the Windy Ridge Bluegrass Band will perform in a free concert.

The center also has planned activities for children and families, including horse-drawn carriages through the park.

The 1,500-square-foot Interpretive Building contains exhibits on local wildlife and history; redwoods that were alive with the Pharaohs stand in a beautiful grove.

The center’s Blackberry Pond, once under-oxygenated and stagnant, now is filled with ducks and other wildlife, making it popular for kids; the addition of a freshwater stream attracts all kinds of migrating and resident birds.

Volunteers still come every month for a weeding session and are always in need. Residents can also become members; membership starts at $15 for seniors, $20 for individuals and $30 for families. The center plans to focus on education more in the future, Williams said.

This year, a series on vermicomposting has sold out. Due to demand, the center added a fifth from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25; interested parties can register for the $10 class on their website.

WHAT: Shipley Harvest Festival and Native Plant Sale

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Shipley Nature Center, 17851 Goldenwest St.

COST: Free

INFORMATION: (714) 842-4772 or www.shipleynature.org

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.