Friends of Pajaro Dunes Activities
The Friends of Pajaro Dunes sponsors several activities throughout the year to educate residents and the public alike about the beauty of the Last Mile. Here are few of the recent activities.
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On September 20, 2003, volunteers participated in Coastal Cleanup Day. To close out the day, the volunteers spelled out "Playas Limpias Ya!" (Clean Beaches Now!) at Palm Beach. |
"A Walk by the Wetlands" with Jim Van Houten
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"A Walk by the Wetlands" with Jim Van Houten took place on Saturday, May 18, 2002. The event was attended by approximately 50 homeowners and their families. Jim took us on a short walk over to the Watsonville Slough in our own backyard. We learned about several native plants and water fowl indigenous to this area. In addition, Jim explained how our "last mile" of the slough is part of a much larger and interdependent watershed system. Jim is a founding member of Watsonville Wetlands Watch and a board member of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. He is also on the steering committee for the Watsonville Sloughs Watershed Conservation and Resource Plan |
Watsonville Slough Trails Master Plan
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A presentation on the Watsonville Slough Trails Master Plan was attended by approximately 30 homeowners on Saturday, December 14 at Sand Castle Properties office (next to the Lagoon House). Bob Geyer, assistant director of Public Works for Watsonville, was still able to deliver his presentation even without electrical power by running his laptop computer on batteries. We learned how the City of Watsonville is leading the way to enhance and protect the Watsonville Slough Watershed. Bob described how this trail system will provide public access and recreation to the areas surrounding Watsonville and Struve Sloughs within the city limits. This system will promote the importance of native wildlife preservation through interpretative displays and viewing lookouts. Bob also discussed related city projects underway including a wetlands visitor's center and the construction of bridges over sensitive slough environments within the city. |