Dozens of volunteers joined forces with a crew from Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the City of Watsonville on Feb. 1 for a day of tending local wetlands as part of the annual World Wetlands Day.
With a slight drizzle setting the tone for the event, the crowd, which included a wide spectrum of ages, split into teams and headed into Middle Struve Slough, where WWW workers led them on an education-packed tour of the slough.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually to raise global awareness about the role of wetlands. The theme of Saturday’s event was “Wetlands for our common future.”
“This is an important day because it helps bring our community together,” said Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco. “It’s exciting to see so many people come out and take care of the environment. This project shows that people are concerned about climate change and how it affects our quality of life.”
After the teams sauntered along the twisting trail that flanks the slough, they gathered near Hope Drive Park, an area WWW and City crews recently finished a major environmental restoration and upgrade project, and planted hundreds of native plant starters.
Live mariachi music punctuated the event, thanks to local band RosaAzul which is headed up by Adam Scow, community and environmental advocate and violinist.
Pajaro Valley Ohlone Indian Council Chair Patrick Orozco was also on hand as a speaker.
WWW Executive Director Jonathon Pilch said that around 250 people came out, including nine organizations, and planted around 3,000 plants.
“I like helping my community in events like this,” said Reyna Ponce-Jarquin, climate action fellow with California Climate Action Corps. “It’s important to get the community interested in nature and learning how to take care of it.”
Volunteer Erik Blomquist, a retired fifth-grade teacher of 30 years in Aromas, said, “I’m looking forward to helping out the world.”
