Friends of Pajaro Dunes Projects

What we expect to accomplish in 2006:

• Create a map/brochure with a bird list for walking tours of our community's native habitat
• Host nature walks with local birding guides
• Sponsor environmental events and speaker presentations at Pajaro Dunes
• Maintain and enhance the Pajaro Dunes Nature Gallery

What we accomplished in 2005:

• 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

What we accomplished in 2004:

• 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.
• In conjunction with Pelican Homeowners and contributors, installed two interpretive panels to educate homeowners and visitors about the slough habitat.
• Expanded our funding base by identifying the Nature Gallery as a concrete project.

What we accomplished in 2003 :

• 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 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