'Day of Service' On American River Parkway For César Chávez Day

Volunteers will be helping to restore the American River Parkway as part of a "day of service" on César Chávez Day. 

The project is a partnership among the American River Parkway Foundation, SMUD and Pacific Gas and Electric. 

Between 50 and 100 volunteers plan to remove invasive plants from an area burned in the Parkway last summer near Northrop Avenue. 

American River Parkway Foundation Executive Director Dianna Pogetto says the day is about "giving back to the community" and also restoring the land. 

"If we can assist in restoring that land to be low-vegetation with native plants, and add some pollinators, then it's a benefit, it's restoring that land," Pogetto says. 

Pogetto says large growth trees and shrubs that burned under electric transmission lines have been removed and will be replaced with low growth native plants. 

An area along the American River Parkway where fire burned near electric transmission lines.  Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio.

"So, as you're riding a bike or people are walking from mile six down to Discovery Park, you're going to see all of those open fields just change into native plants and pollinator projects," Pogetto says.    

She says as many as 100 volunteers are expected to remove invasive plants Thursday. 

Pogetto says removing invasive plants improves soil moisture and wildlife habitat. 

César Chávez Day is a state holiday and this year, for the first time, it's also a holiday in Sacramento County. 

County Supervisor Phil Serna is hosting the restoration event and at least 15 county employees are expected to be among the volunteers.