California Village and Stream Restored
By Lin Myerson
Ventura Coastkeeper
Photos by Ventura Coastkeeper
After more than three years of planning, preparation and permitting, Wishtoyo’s Nicholas Canyon projects – creation of a living Chumash Village and restoration of an adjacent stream, have been approved by the Malibu Planning Commission – and the real work has begun.

The village site was cleared and our persevering crew has opened up a trail leading down to the creek bed. Bird surveys are being conducted and native plants, whose seeds were collected from the area, will be brought back to the site. Old concrete pillars are being removed along with large, non-native trees and invasive plants, which are soaking up much of the creeks water.

The trail will become an educational walk-through for students and visitors to view nature at its finest, and learn the sustainable ways of the Chumash, who utilized the resources of the riparian habitat for many centuries. The projects will reveal a unique cultural and historical resource – restoring the beauty and abundance of the flowing stream, vegetation and village components as they existed for over 10,000 years, during the Chumash people’s existence at this very site.

The projects are in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, owner of the property.