We hope you enjoy watching our short video that captures some of the plants blooming at the Pacheco Valle Biodiversity Project.
See how Marcia Basalla and her group of dedicated volunteers transformed a traffic island on Alameda del Prado in Novato into something special for local wildlife, and for us!
You’ll see the island bursting with life, displaying vibrant colors, pollinator plants ready to attract monarch butterflies.
Watch as Marcia Basalla shares the colorful highlights of the current phase of this project.
Come see the island at the Alameda del Prado exit on Highway 101 or visit us online at pachecovallebiodiversity.com.
Marcia Basalla talks about Spring 2025 on the Island
Spring is my favorite time of the year on the island when the plants come alive after their winter rest.
The Elderberry trees, Sambucus mexicana are showing off their masses of creamy, yellow flowers full of buzzing bees and other insects. And later in the season, they will be burgeoning with luscious, blue berries, much to the delight of a variety of birds.
Matilija Poppies, Romney coulteri or “Fried Egg Plant” grace the island’s edges with their elegant, white, crepey flowers on 4 –6 -foot stalks.
White, orange, and red Monkey Flowers, Diplacus sp. are in full bloom supporting our hummingbird friends who frequent the island now and throughout the summer.
The Coast Buckwheat Eriogonum latifolium with its many 1-inch-wide pompoms of creamy white to light pink flowers are an insect magnet, attracting any number of pollinators.
Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa, is just that—a showstopper with numerous 3-inch-wide balls of carnation-scented pink flowers on 2- 4-foot stalks, providing nectar for adult Monarchs and the all-important forage for the Monarch butterfly larvae.