History

Friends of Pajaro Dunes began in 2000 when Sara Bakti, Leo Ruth, Barbara and John Vernon, all Pajaro Dunes homeowners, first met to discuss the formation of a non-profit organization that would dedicate its efforts to protecting and preserving the habitat and wildlife throughout this unique coastal community.

10 Years of Friends of Pajaro Dunes Accomplishments

What we are planning to accomplish in 2010:

  • Celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Friends of Pajaro Dunes
  • Remodel our website at www.friendsofpajarodunes.org
  • Redesign the PD Nature Gallery touchscreen application to include new features
  • Purchase a video projector and four laptop computers for the Wetlands Education Resource Center at Pajaro Valley High School
  • Continue our efforts on the Last Mile Restoration Project with our friends at the Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District

2009 Accomplishments:

  • Designed and opened the Shorebirds Nature Center with habitat soundscapes and three dimensional dioramas of native plants and animals
  • Moved the Pajaro Dunes Nature Gallery to the newly remodeled PD South gatehouse
  • Hosted two PD homeowner field trips during the Spring HOA meetings in May:
    • Wetlands Education Resource Center Tour
    • High Ground Organics Farm Tour
  • Donated $4000 to the Wetlands Education Resource Center
  • Donated $1000 to the Land Trust of Santa Cruz

2008 Acoomplishments:

  • Awarded THREE $1000 contributions to non-profit organizations which share our guiding principles and continue to preserve the coastal habitat and farmland that surrounds our community including the Open Space Alliance, Save Our Shores and the Land Trust of Santa Cruz
  • Continued to collaborate with the Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County on the Last Mile Restoration Project
  • Hosted a restoration work day in October with Wetlands Watch volunteers and PD homeowners
  • Hosted environmental events throughout the year at Pajaro Dunes (summer school field trips and the Monterey Birding Festival)

2006-2007 Accomplishments:

  • Created a map/brochure with a bird list for walking tours of our community’s native habitat
  • Hosted nature walks with local birding guides
  • Sponsor edenvironmental events and speaker presentations at Pajaro Dunes
  • Maintained the Pajaro Dunes Nature Gallery

2005 Accomplishments:

  • Coordinated volunteers for the Pelican Point Restoration Project
  • Built the Pajaro Dunes Nature Gallery
  • Installed 2 interpretive panels at Pelican Point
  • Raised $21,000 for Friends of Pajaro Dunes activities
  • Contributed $1,000 to Elkhorn Slough Reserver
  • Contributed computer equipment to WERC
  • Held 3 Bird Walks with local birding guides
  • Sponsored talk on Monterey Bay National Sanctuary
  • Co-sponsored the Ohlone Campfire
  • Created Birds of Pajaro Dunes Brochure
  • Sponsored activities for the Monterey Bird Festival

2004 Accomplishments:

  • Participated in the restoration of Pelican Point by implementing the Restoration and Enhancement Plan, sponsoring volunteer efforts of local youth groups and homeowners at non-native, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, and weeding.
  • Expanded the volunteer activity by creating and staffing the Outreach and Education committee, and establishing the Finance and Restoration committed structure.
  • Updated the web page to provide valuable information about the Last Mile and the surrounding habitats including bird and plant databases.
  • Increased the awareness of the value of the slough by sponsoring three events at Pajaro Dunes to help educate the community about the Last Mile: a Snowy Plover talk; a seminar on the Dune Habitat; and a talk about the status of Elkhorn Slough given by Mark Silberstein.
  • Designed and installed two interpretive panels at Pelican Point to educate homeowners and visitors about the slough habitat.

2003 Accomplishments:

  • Developed a restoration and enhancement plan for the “last mile” of the Watsonville Slough in coordination with the Watsonville Slough Watershed Conservation and Enhancement Plan
  • Developed a strategic plan focused on the next 3 to 5 years
  • Hosted the Watsonville Watershed Steering Committee at Pajaro Dunes
  • Represented local environmental concerns at the California Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission hearings in support of the Pelican Point Riverwall
  • Raised over $8,000 in funding from the Pajaro Dunes community
  • Participated on the City of Watsonville’s Slough Trails master plan committee including the development of a visitor’s center and interpretative signs

What we accomplished in 2000-2002 :

  • Created lending libraries containing books and pamphlets on native wildlife and habitat
  • Conducted nature walks along the “last mile” of the Watsonville Slough
  • Launched our web site
  • Created a guide on native plants and birds of Pajaro Dunes for each lending library
  • Obtained our 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation status
  • Created a promotional brochure for public awareness and fund-raising