WATSONVILLE—Preparations have been underway in Watsonville to set the stage for the 12th annual World Wetlands Day celebration Saturday.
Jonathan Pilch, Executive Director of Watsonville Wetlands Watch, said the work this past week included wetland restoration plantings along the Upper Struve Slough trail in Watsonville and tree plantings at Hope Park. A crew from California Conservation Corps has prepared the areas for planting.
Volunteers are needed on Saturday to help native plants along Struve Slough and trees throughout Hope Park, which overlooks the slough. While planting, volunteers will be serenaded by live music and enjoy educational booths and activities for all ages hosted by the City of Watsonville, Watsonville Wetlands Watch and Pajaro Valley Arts. Anyone who plants a native plant or tree can also win a free tour for their family to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and adopt and take home a tree.
World Wetlands Day is an annual international day of action and celebration of the importance of wetlands, which commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2 1971 in the Iranian City of Ramsar. Wetlands are increasingly understood to be one of the world’s most important ecosystems, Pilch said. Throughout the world, coastal wetlands, like the Watsonville Slough System serve as important carbon “sinks” and provide important buffers against the impacts of a changing climate, while providing essential habitat for local and migrating wildlife.
At 800 acres, the Watsonville Slough System is one of the state’s largest remaining freshwater coastal wetlands. The wetlands support over 270 different migratory and resident bird species and 23 different native plants and animals that are listed as threatened, endangered, and species of special concern. In Watsonville, the wetlands are ringed by an expansive 10-mile trail network that provides residents and visitors a unique experience to see wildlife and learn about local wetlands and the natural history of the area.
“We are excited to bring the community together on this day when people across the globe will be working to restore and celebrate wetlands,” Pilch said. “The Watsonville wetlands are an incredible resource for our community, and [by] working together we will be able to make a tremendous impact to help them thrive and be a special place for our community for generations to come.”
Work on this day is a part of a larger wetland restoration and urban forest revitalization effort spearheaded by Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the City of Watsonville.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the lower parking lot in the Nob Hill shopping center below Body Zone at 9:30 a.m. The event will run rain or shine; tools and gloves will be provided.
