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We're
In The Movies!
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| Elementary school
children enjoying a field trip with Wetland
Steward Mentors |
Be among the first to preview our
heartwarming new video, which highlights the
keystone educational program of Watsonville
Wetlands Watch, the Wetland Stewards Mentor
program.
Athena Barrios, former Wetland Steward
and current Board of Directors member, interweaves
key messages throughout the film as we enjoy
beautiful vistas of the wetlands and get personal
glimpses of the benefits young people gain through
the program.
We are deeply grateful to Pat Fitz who
sponsored the creation of this wonderful new video
for Watsonville Wetlands Watch.
Click here to view the film!
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A BIG
Month For Field Trips
The Wetlands Watch education team and
field trip docents have been very busy this past
month, with eight Cycles of Restoration field
trips with 5th grade classes, nine Project Tierra Aquatic
Invertebrate field trips with 9th graders, and a
whole slew of Wetland Stewards field
trips for students in after-school programs! Thank
you to all of our wonderful docents who have led
stations, inspiring wetland stewardship in this
younger generation!
Three
hundred 9th grade students
from Pajaro Valley High School
participated in our
Project Tierra Aquatic Invertebrates
field trips this fall!
Students walked from campus down to
where the road dives into Harkins Slough
at the end of north end of Lee Road, and spent
their science class time investigating water
quality by collecting and identifying water bugs.
We found twelve different species and, based on
this level of biodiversity, were able to
give Harkins Slough a fair to good water
quality assessment. Opossum shrimp
or mycids (the name stems from the
presence of a brood pouch in females) were found
this year, a new species for many of
us. | |
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Want
to Become a Docent?
Training
Starts in January
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| Docent Rich Palm
preparing for water quality testing with
students |
Docent training is a fun
and rewarding way to learn about the
natural and cultural history of the wetlands
from experts, and to receive training for
becoming a field trip facilitator.
Starting in January 2017, 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.
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Presentation
First People Meet
Second People: Ohlone Indians and Early Spanish
Explorations
Please join us on Tuesday, Jan. 10th,
when State Archaeologist Mark
Hylkema, presents a fascinating look at
the local prehistory and native lifeway before
European contact. Mark will reflect on
what it was like when grizzly bears and the
Ohlone people dwelled here. He will also review
aspects of the Spanish, Mexican and early
American periods.
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Bald
Eagle Update
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Bald
Eagle Fledgling Courtesy Jeanne Byrne
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A new eagle has fledged! In my last
eagle report I noted that one of the bald eagles
that had been nesting here on Harkins Slough
since 2014 died, and that the remaining adult
appeared to have found a new mate this spring.
Until now, we didn't know if they raised any
chicks this summer in their nest in the
eucalyptus trees across the slough from our
farm. Then our eagle-eyed daughter saw an adult
flying with a fledgling just before
Thanksgiving. The baby obliged by perching on a
tree in our restoration area long enough for us
to get a good picture. The young eagle is as big
as his or her parents, but won't develop the
white head and tail for a few years. This is now
the fourth eagle to be born and survive to
adulthood on Harkins Slough.
The eagles
are a reminder that nature is resilient, and
that human efforts to be a positive force in
nature can pay off. We can't completely undo
damage that has been done, but we can create
conditions that are more favorable to letting
nature resume its course.
We wish to thank Jeanne Byrne of High
Ground Organics for contributing this article
and keeping us updated on the progress of Eagle
nesting in the
sloughs. |
Celebrate
the Start of Planting Season
Join
Us for Community Restoration
Day
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| Young volunteers 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 Saturday, December 17th.
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We
Are So Thankful For
Your Support
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| Lovely vista of the
slough |
This is the time of year when we look
back and reflect on all of the good things in
our lives - the beauty of nature, the love of
friends and family, and the satisfaction of
doing all we can to support the things we
believe in.
We at Watsonville Wetlands Watch are
deeply thankful for your support over the past
25 years. We've made dramatic improvements to
our precious coastal freshwater wetlands,
introduced thousands of youth to nature and
science through our educational programs, and
raised appreciation and support for this
magnificent ecosystem throughout our
community.
Help us continue to do this good
work. Your tax deductible gift will support our
mission to protect, restore, and foster
appreciation of the wetlands of the Pajaro
Valley well into the future.
Please
make your special donation
today.
Thank
you!
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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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