Coastal Watershed Council

Big thanks to Tierra Pacifica school in Santa Cruz for inviting the Coastal Watershed Council’s education team to virtually take over K-2nd grades this week! In this special environmental education week, students’ reading, writing, math, and wellness were environmentally focused, including an action project to help protect the San Lorenzo River. Here a second grade student researches what tiny nature object to draw for one of the day’s art lessons. The tinier the better! ... #sanlorenzoriver #environmentaleducation #kidscience

If you’re curious about ways to keep stormwater pollution from entering the San Lorenzo River, ask a 5th grade Watershed Ranger! This illustrated model of a rain garden is a perfect example of green engineering for stormwater solutions. Instead of trash, motor oil, or dog waste washing off into storm drains and the San Lorenzo River during a storm event, a rain garden helps capture pollutants and sink runoff water into the ground. ... #sanlorenzoriver #stormwater #kidscience

Last night the Santa Cruz City Council approved the mixed-use development in downtown Santa Cruz along the San Lorenzo River by a 5-2 vote. As quoted in Lookout Santa Cruz, council member Martine Watkins, who voted in favor of the project, said, This really is that first step in connecting the downtown to our river, and does provide that new access and new activation of the river. Read more: https://lookout.co//santa-cruz-city-council-approves-major

Today the City Council will vote on the "Riverfront Project", which if approved, would create 175 new condos and commercial space along the lower San Lorenzo River. Learn more about this proposed project from Lookout Santa Cruz: https://lookout.co//major-mixed-use-riverfront-development

We highly recommend visiting the San Lorenzo River whenever possible, but did you know that you can watch the San Lorenzo River’s flow rise and fall while comfy at home? A simple web search for USGS SAN LORENZO RIVER SANTA CRUZ will direct you to a hydrograph that updates every 15 minutes! It even allows to you set custom dates so you can travel back in time. How much was the San Lorenzo River flowing on your birthday 2 years ago? Most rivers in the nation can also be foun...d here.. How does our San Lorenzo River compare to the mighty Mississippi? Enjoy! #sanlorenzoriver #hydrograph #rivergeek

Thank you, John, for the incredible impact you've made for the San Lorenzo River, your commitment to this community and our amazing water resources, and all the good humor you've brought to this work. We look forward to seeing you exploring your favorite watersheds and serving as a Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County board member. Join CWC in sharing your well-wishes with John Ricker who retired last week from his role as the director of the County of Santa Cruz's water resource division. And, learn more about the incredible impacts John has made for protecting steelhead, reducing bacteria to the San Lorenzo River, and ensuring long-term sustainable water sources for our community: https://www.santacruzsentinel.com//john-ricker-water-reso/