Santa Clara City Arboretum
 

Santa Clara Arboretum
Cactus Garden, 2007
Dr. Robert Shepherd, Founder of the
Arboretum, 1984
The "Tamarisk Tunnel," 1984
Photos © 2008 Santa Clara City
Photos courtesy Santa Clara City
Heritage & Parks Committee

The Arboretum of the City of Santa Clara is an important outdoor treasure, and like the City itself has a long and valuable history. Located to the east of the City, just north of the Little League fields, the Arboretum is a unique blend of park, wetlands, and wildlife sanctuary.

The Santa Clara Arboretum’s unique landscape and variety of vegetation was originally the vision of Dr. Robert Shepherd, the man who hand built the Santa Clara Arboretum in the early 1980’s. For many years the Arboretum was enjoyed by many of the city residents. However, by 2003 the Arboretum was showing the negative impact of its choked wetlands by an abundance of non-native tamarisk.

In early April 2004, a Dixie College Community Day spearheaded enthusiasm to clean up the arboretum. More than 300 college students, faculty, and residents came together to complete the task, returning the Arboretum to it's original vision of a valuable City resource and wildlife sanctuary.

Unfortunately, in late May 2004, a juvenile, believed to be smoking in the tamarisk trees started a fire. The fire quickly grew and four different fire agencies responded to the call, but once the fire was out a large section of the arboretum had been burned.

That spring, a grant was applied for, through the Utah Quality Growth Commission, to utilize LeRay McAllister funding for restoration of the arboretum. At this point it was decided that a complete eradication of the invasive tamarisk would also be a part of the grant. During September and October 2004, BLM fire crews came in and began the cleanup, cutting down the burned tamarisk trees so the area could be cleared. A plan was developed for future arboretum construction, and enthusiasm rose once again.

In the summer of 2005, work focused on upper sections of the arboretum while waiting for the right time to begin tamarisk eradication. The cactus garden got a good clean-up and new plants were added. Meanwhile, efforts were made by eagle scout projects to work on trails throughout the arboretum.

Tamarisk eradication began with professionals cutting and chipping of tamarisk trees that were not in the burned area. Then BLM weed specialists would spray the stumps with a herbicide to prevent re-growth. The result was a clean area left with little regrowth coming back.

Spring 2008 brought more funding from the Utah Quality Growth Commission. This next phase of funding will continue the Arboretum restoration project, supporting the following efforts:

• Eradicating invasive weeds and restoring the natural contours to the land after tamarisk removal.
• Restoring stream banks along the natural flows in the wash.
• Planting native vegetation in the wash bottom and along stream banks.
• Establishing a water system for supportive irrigation at the onset of planting and during times of severe drought.
• Establishing a small pond for wildlife.
• Eradicating additional tamarisk.

Public Benefits from Restoration:

There is still a lot of work to be done to complete the Arboretum restoration. To volunteer time, equipment, or cash donations, please call Santa Clara Parks Director Brad Hays (435-673-6712 ext 1), or Heritage and Parks Chairperson Kathleen Nielson (435-229-8310). Also visit the Volunteer Opportunities page to view the currently available opportunities for this project.
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