A highlight of the February Environmental Committee meeting was a presentation by John Drips, a member of the local Watershed Stewards Project. John discussed the Project, a statewide environmental restoration program by the CCC and its AmeriCorps, locally supported by the Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District. The mission of the Project is “to conserve, restore, and enhance anadromous watersheds for future generations by linking education with high quality scientific practices.” 

Many areas have been benefitting from Stewards organizing and implementing a wide range of restoration projects, using local volunteers to help complete the carefully designed projects. An important project was recently completed in Willow Canyon in the Aptos watershed (follow link to flyer), and they hope to focus on the San Lorenzo Valley for the next one.

John sought out the VWC to help define a project and we are eager to support this effort!! Please watch for future information about it and plan to participate.

There is general information about the statewide program on their website; it includes job opportunities for young people! Feel free to share it if you know someone who would be interested in an innovative opportunity to become a Steward: