Long-term Management Planning for PV High School Ecological Reserve Gets Underway
Staff from the Watsonville Wetlands Watch restoration program, installing a shallow groundwater monitoring well along West Struve Slough.
When Pajaro Valley High School opened in 2005, there were many things that made the school unique. The school has an environmental education mission, the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center, located right on its campus, and is surrounded by an 80 acre nature preserve that has undergone restoration from fallowed agricultural fields. The school district recently completed the initial work to successfully restore these lands, and now is embarking on a planning process in partnership with Watsonville Wetlands Watch, to identify the long-term management strategies that will support natural habitats and wildlife, hiking trails, and student monitoring and research projects.
One of the first efforts is a study to assess opportunities for wetland restoration projects. Working in consultation with local biologists from Kittleson Environmental Consulting, we recently installed shallow groundwater monitoring wells in Upper West Struve Slough, just before the first rains, which will help inform design of wetland habitat restoration to support our local population of California red-legged frogs. These types of research projects and many others will help inform the school’s long term work towards stewardship of and education about the natural environment that surrounds the school.
The California Sea Otter:
Not Just Another Pretty Face
Kim Steinhardt
Are you curious about how sea otters have adapted to survive in the ocean, or how moms and pups manage their difficult daily lives? Do you want to know more about the historic fur trade or how two current lawsuits threaten the species’ comeback from near extinction? On Thursday, Nov. 12, join Kim Steinhardt for a special evening’s talk and multimedia presentation on these sea otter mysteries, and observations on the relationship between humans and the ocean. Kim is a former Administrative Law Judge who now photographs and writes about sea otters and presents popular talks on ocean stewardship, including all things otter. This talk, hosted by the Watsonville Wetlands Watch, is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center. Click for map/directions. Admission is free but you must reserve a seat online by clicking here. For more information, contact Kathy Fieberling at 831-345-1226 or kathy@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.
Become a Docent — Training Starts in January
Docent Debbie Diersch birding with students
Our 2016 Docent Training Program begins in late January. Docent training is a fun and interesting way to learn about the natural and cultural history of the wetlands from experts, and to receive training for becoming a field trip facilitator. These interactive sessions include Wednesday evening presentations and Saturday morning field trips, visiting sites not normally seen by the public. Join our dedicated team of trained docent volunteers, who help with field trips, lead tours, participate in special events, work in the greenhouse and native plant demonstration garden, conduct water monitoring, and much, much more. For more information, contact Kathy Fieberling at kathy@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org, 831-345-1226 or click here.
Fourth Saturday
Community Restoration Day
Even our youngest volunteers can make a difference by helping to restore our wetlands
We invite you to help restore wetland habitat by planting native plants and removing exotic invasive plants as part of our monthly community work day on November 21. We will work from 9 a.m. to noon, and we always make time for birding or a short hike around the wetlands. We supply the gloves, tools, and a snack. Meet at our Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (map/directions). If you have questions, please contact Mary Paul at mary@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org or 831-566-4938.
Support Our Work
The Habitat Festival and Native Plant Marketplace is just one way the Wetlands Watch engages and educates our community. If you haven’t yet attended one of our many free lectures or taken a wetlands tour, you’re missing a great experience! And if you have not yet joined our family of donors, please consider making a gift to keep our work going strong. Whether as a donor, an interested community member, or the parent of a student in our Wetlands Watch education programs, you are an important part of our community of environmental stewards and caretakers. If you’d like to help, click here to make a donation. Thank you.
