By Khalida Sarwari
The half-mile stretch of Vasona Creek that bisects the West Valley College campus will be undergoing a major restoration as part of a larger effort to transform the creek into a vibrant natural ecosystem, a living laboratory and classroom, and a recreational resource that everyone can benefit from.
Big things are planned for the 2,500-foot stretch of the creek including channel and bank stabilization, modifications to an existing wetland, and removal of invasive non-native trees and plants. Vasona Creek has long been overgrown and barely visible to students and the community due to excessive stormwater runoff, which the college says has undermined 200- to 300-year-old Heritage Oak root systems and created deep channels in the creek bed.
Down the line, the project also calls for the planting of native plant and tree species, a creekside trail system, storm water runoff improvements and the development of learning spaces with outdoor classrooms, labs and meeting areas. And even further down the line, a stormwater capture system will be built to store water for future irrigation of campus landscaping.
This segment of Vasona Creek is one of the longest single-owner sections of creek in Santa Clara Valley, according to West Valley College. The area contains a fully grown tree canopy over the creek that keeps the water shaded and cool enough to support nearly 50 species of wildlife and more than 100 native plant species.
The bulk of the funding for the project will come from college bond funds and grants from the Santa Clara Valley Water District. That includes $1.35 million from Measure C, a June 2012 voter-approved bond measure, and $1.2 million from Santa Clara Valley Water District grants, funded partly under the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, passed by voters as a special tax also in 2012. SCVWD provides grants to restore wildlife habitat and provide open space.
Water district board member Nai Hsueh called the project “a perfect fit” for SCVWD.
“The water district only owns a portion of the creeks in Santa Clara Valley,” Hsueh said in a statement. “We depend on other creek owners, like West Valley College, to improve creek habitat to support the health of our watersheds.”
Partnering with the water district allows the college to pool their resources to re-establish a natural space, said WVC president Brad Davis. He said the project demonstrates environmental stewardship and enhances educational opportunities for students.
“By transforming the creek we will restore this remarkable natural resource and create a learning environment that will benefit both our students and the community,” Davis said.
It will be faculty in the biology and park management departments who will be rolling up their sleeves to work on the restoration project. These instructors have contributed to vegetation and wildlife enhancement plans and will now begin designing creek-related curriculum for college students and faculty across several disciplines.
Bill Taylor, the college facilities manager who has spearheaded the project, noted that students will also assist with the water quality testing, and monitoring and maintenance of the native landscaping.
“This is real hands-on experience you just can’t get in a classroom,” he said.
To complete the additional phases of the project, the college will continue to apply for grants as they become available and revitalize its fundraising efforts. The college is selling naming rights for signage along the Vasona Creek Legacy Trail and sponsoring Adopt a Trail, Adopt a Bench and Adopt a Heritage Tree programs.
For more information about the Vasona Creek project, visit westvalley.edu/creek.
