Morro Manzanita (Arctostaphylos morroensis) Restoration Project

The Morro Manzanita Restoration Project is a five-year initiative running from 2025 through 2030, authorized by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife through CESA permit 2081(a)-25-015-RP. The project is implemented by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, San Luis Obispo Coast District, and focuses on the recovery of the Morro manzanita within Montaña de Oro State Park. The scope of work includes the annual collection of up to 200 fruits in late fall, ensuring that no more than five percent of available seed is taken from any single plant or population. These seeds will undergo fire-simulation scarification and be propagated in the San Luis Obispo Coast District greenhouse at Morro Bay State Park before being transplanted into one-gallon pots. Each rainy season, up to 50 Morro manzanita plants will be outplanted in restoration plots located in areas of eucalyptus removal and adjacent maritime chaparral. To support the recovery of the maritime chaparral habitat, the project also includes the planting of associated native species such as coyote brush, sticky monkeyflower, and lupine. The project is exempt under Section 15306, Class 6, as it supports a candidate species without anticipated adverse environmental impacts. Compliance and success will be tracked through annual monitoring and progress reports submitted to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.