Plot of weeds being transformed

A city-owned field previously besieged by weeds now has oak trees and California native plants as part of a five-year habitat restoration in Laguna Canyon.

The Laguna Canyon Foundation has just completed the first year of its plan to restore a 3.7-acre plot at Big Bend, which will include public trails, picnic areas and more than 5,000 wildflowers, plants and trees, according to foundation executive director Max Borella and a news release.

Volunteers and foundation staff planted sagebrush, deerweed and wild sage in the space during the first year of the project. Wildflowers such as lupine and poppy will also be added.

Workers will also plant sycamore and willow trees near a creek within the property, foundation president Derek Ostensen wrote in an email.

New plants will be irrigated for two years so roots can establish themselves, after which they will rely on natural rainfall, the release said.

A $117,000 Orange County Transportation Authority grant helped pay for a portion of the restoration, expected to cost $140,000, Borella said.

The foundation is raising the remaining money, he said.

—Bryce Alderton