The study area includes 141 reaches on 13 creeks within the city. Each reach was visited in the field between June 23 and August 26, 1999. A vegetation and bird habitat assessment were completed by separate teams of field ecologists contracted by the City. The purpose the Vegetation Assessment was to evaluate and rank the vertical structure and native plant species richness values of Boulder Creek and selected tributaries and to identify restoration potential in the sampled reaches. Except in wetland areas, native species are typically not important components of the herbaceous understory.
Noxious weeds are present in almost all reaches of the streams.
Garden plants have become established along many reaches which traverse residential neighborhoods. In most reaches, the riparian area is constrained by adjacent land uses. Focus on interdepartmental agreements, landowner education and voluntary stewardship programs to help improve the conditions of the creeks. The Bird Habitat Assessment examined avian diversity at specific points along the creeks. Two measures were used as indicators of bird habitat value for future management of the greenways.