Department of Applied Environmental Science
Sanborn Creek
The Sanborn Creek Restoration Area is an approximately 18-acre stretch of riparian and upland habitat along Sanborn Creek including Cesar Chavez Community Park. The water sources for this creek system is entirely urban runoff. The Sanborn Creek restoration area includes two sites: An upper creek restoration area consisting of a highly impacted drainage owned by the City of Salinas adjacent to Cesar Chavez Community Park; and a lower creek restoration area that lies within Cesar Chavez Park.
Since 1997, with the help of Salinas school students, CSUMB students, and the public, Habitat Stewardship Project, Monterey Bay (HSPMB) has planted 17,000 native shrubs and trees, and 20,000 native grasses, sedges, and rushes to the two restoration sites. Shrub species include coyote bush, California sagebrush, toyon, coffeeberry, buckwheat, and other species. Tree species include sycamore, alder, black cottonwood, buckeye, and coast live oak. Grasses include creeping wild rye, salt grass, and other species.