An interactive field survey of a hillside restoration
This site documents an ongoing erosion control and native planting project on a hillside in Los Angeles. The slope — approximately 720 square meters with a 21-meter elevation range — is being restored using California native species selected for their fibrous root systems and compatibility with sandy, decomposed granite soil.
The project began with a 3D photogrammetric scan of the hillside in December 2025, creating a detailed point cloud model of the terrain. That scan serves as the interactive base map for tracking every plant species, their locations on the slope, and the wildlife ecosystem developing around them.
Real Polycam photogrammetric scan rendered as an interactive point cloud. Three view modes: elevation-colored point cloud, photographic texture, and field study overlay combining both with warm golden-hour lighting.
190+ color-coded markers surface-snapped to the actual terrain mesh. Each dot represents a planting, colored by species. Connection lines link the plant catalog to their physical positions on the slope.
45 animal species tracked with photos, Latin names, field observation notes, and sighted/expected status. Covers mammals, raptors, songbirds, reptiles, butterflies, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
Visual mapping of which animals are attracted to which plants. The network tab shows every plant-to-animal connection, revealing the web of ecological relationships developing on the hillside.
Detailed cards for each plant with photographs, growing data (height, drought tolerance, sun requirements), elevation zone assignment, and the specific wildlife each species attracts.
Sandy decomposed granite soil requires fibrous lateral root systems — no deep taproots that could separate rock. Dirt Locker geocell terracing captures eroded soil. Agave pups propagated on-site for zero-cost slope coverage.
Plants sourced from local nurseries supporting California native species:
This is an active, evolving project. New species are being added as they're planted, wildlife sightings are updated as they're confirmed, and the 3D scan will be refreshed periodically to track slope stabilization progress. The goal is a self-sustaining native ecosystem that controls erosion while providing habitat for pollinators, raptors, and native wildlife.
Built with Claude Code · garrettstrommen.com