California cleared 900,000 lbs of debris, but left old telephone poles for purple martins to nest

California removed more than 900,000 pounds of human debris while restoring 40 acres; crews deliberately left old telephone poles because purple martins can use them as nesting sites

California crews left old telephone poles standing while restoring about 40 acres of land at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve because purple martins use holes in the poles as nesting sites. The decision came as part of a wider restoration project in which more than 900,000 pounds of human debris was removed from the newly acquired properties.