Having previously worked on successful soil remediation projects in Los Angeles, we are eager to bring our services and support to residents affected by the Eaton Fire.  Our program to remediate and restore fire-affected neighborhoods will address the community’s need for a healthy environment that supports the well-being of residents through sustainable, firewise, and ecologically driven methods that will bring lasting resilience to the region.

In the wake of the fires, we’ve been offering free consultation and soil test sampling services to affected residents.  This has provided us with an opportunity to get an early look at the contamination levels, and to hear from the families about the concerns and questions they have about the process ahead.  While the Army Corps and private sector contractors are making a large impact through removal of much of this contamination by scraping debris and top soil from properties, some contamination remains in place and poses a risk to the health of residents.  Some of these contaminants may have been deposited due to percolation associated with post-fire rain events, while much of it may have been present prior to these fire events.  Furthermore, the soils are low in organic matter and compacted from the heavy equipment used to clear the lots.  They are in a severely degraded condition and would benefit from remediation in preparation for the installation of new landscapes.  In response to requests from multiple families, Altadena Poppy Fields Coalition is organizing a collaborative effort to assist in remediation and restoration efforts post soil removal.  Many residents wish to begin remediation and restoration as soon as possible, and there is an opportunity and urgent need to start work immediately upon clearance of debris and contaminated topsoil from properties. 

We have developed a multi-phased approach to remediate these sites to aid residents in the process.  We’ve been connecting residents with sources of free local mulch to cover the soil, protect it from the elements and return organic matter to the substrate.  We have developed a seed mix of local native plant species well-suited to address a range of issues including hyperaccumulators to collect and remove heavy metals, groundcovers to help prevent erosion and runoff, and “pioneer plants” that can help prepare the soils for successive generations of native plants.  We are working with contractors to provide compost extract application services.  We are currently seeking funding to support our efforts to use sustainable methods to rehabilitate our soils and landscapes, and community.