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The Watch Makes an Altar
 This year the Watch was invited to participate in the Pajaro Valley Arts Council Gallery's Mi Casa es Tu Casa art exhibit. The theme was inspired by Dia de Los Muertos
and showcases the rich art and tradition of altar-making. The altar is
an invitation to appreciate the nature and the spirit of our precious
local treasure - the wetlands of Watsonville. Many thanks to volunteer
altar-builders Cathy Gamble, Bob Lyons, Virginia Taylor and Bill Best.
To learn more about the altar project and where to see it, click here. |
Wetland Stewards Search the Heavens
 October
16th was a moonless night, perfect for looking at the stars. Wetland
Stewards Rudy Zauata, Miguel Ruan, and Fernando Paniagua, along with
their teacher, Cara Sundell, spent the night at the Genie Dee - Ron
Morin home in the Santa Cruz mountains. Each steward picked a favorite
constellation and then Genie gave them clues for locating the stars in
the sky. The boys also learned to use a GPS-based star-finding device,
which they pronounced "Cool!" In the morning, they learned to make
French toast. All decided they want to learn more about the stars and
the solar system.
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Back to School Brunch
 This
event, held in early October, featured our video, which gives
supporters a close-up view of WWW activities and encourages them to
make a five-year commitment of financial support. This year's speaker
was Mark Silberstein, Executive Director of the Elkhorn Slough
Foundation.
Silberstein
lauded the Watch for its grassroots advocacy, focus on the wetlands,
and for the quality of its environmental education and restoration
programs. He then made his own pledge of support, earning him entry
into the WWW's special group of "Northern Harriers." To learn more
about the pledge program and the benefits of becoming a Northern
Harrier, contact genie@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org. |
Docents Learn of Changing Sloughs
 On
November 11th docents were treated to a special talk by Kevin Fisher,
wetland hydrologist and docent, on "Changing Sloughs." A full house
listened to a comparison of how the sloughs of today differ from the
sloughs of the past, and gained insights on the future of the sloughs.
If you're interested in becoming a docent, see below.... |
2010 Docent Training Program
 The
2010 Docent Training Program begins on Feb. 24th. Docent trainees will
be treated to an inside look at the Pajaro Valley and its wide network
of wetlands. Local experts will share the ecology, history, and
restoration of the wetlands during this 7-week program, which includes
Wednesday evening presentations and Saturday morning field trips. To
learn more about it, click here.
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Docent Extraordinaire
 Steve
Zaslaw, docent, is our webmaster and electronic
communications specialist. All trends point to increased use
of computer media for communications, and Steve is our go-to guy
for this. Steve played a key role in the upgrade of our website last
fall, and since then has done regular updates to keep it current. He
also researched and linked us with Constant Contact, our e-mail service
to supporters, and each month puts our e-letter text into the CC
format, so it is attractive to our readers. Steve has also spent many
hours researching and testing a variety of software tools in search of
the right tool for our online timesheet project. We can't thank him
enough for all his support! For more, click here. |
Flood Control a Hot Topic
 Bob
Culbertson, WWW President, Jim Van Houten, Committee Chair, and other
members of the Planning and Conservation Committee have been actively
following the status of the Pajaro River Flood Control Project. There
is a wide range of both costs and impacts being considered, and the
Watch wants to be sure there is adequate public input.
In
November, Bob sent a letter to the County Board of Supervisors on
behalf of the Watch, requesting "continued transparency with respect to
the current stage of the planning process and continued public
involvement as proposed alternatives are moved forward". To see the
text of the full letter, click here. |
You Can Help!
Your
contribution to Watsonville Wetlands Watch supports our work to
protect, restore, and foster appreciation of the wetlands. Please
support us when you receive our year-end appeal in the mail, or you can
contribute online by going to our website, www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org. Your contribution is tax-deductible in accordance with IRS rules for non-profit organizations and is very much appreciated. | |
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Watsonville Wetlands Watch advocates for wetland issues, educates
elementary, middle, and high school students, restores degraded
habitats, preserves what remains whole, and teaches appreciation for
the unique beauty and life of the Pajaro Valley wetlands. In
cooperation with numerous other agencies, we support studies of and
planning for these sites. |
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