What a gratifying year we’ve had at CWC. I’m proud that we’re working at a scale of impact we have never reached before now. That’s all because of you – whether you’re a CWC volunteer, donor, partner or community supporter. Thank you!
In the last year we’ve grown our environmental education program, Watershed Rangers, to incorporate leadership development so that youth feel empowered to take action today. The impacts of this program
extend well beyond the environment as Santa Cruz County youth feel empowered to take on any challenge that comes their way.
We’ve continued our collaborative approach to improve water quality, with long-standing First Flush, Urban Watch and Snapshot Day citizen science work and completing a second year of monitoring San Lorenzo River bacteria sources. Each program generates scientifically valid data so we can all implement best management practices to improve river health.
You’ve helped launch new projects like Adopt A Parklet where organizations commit to beautifying, enhancing and stewarding their own piece of the Santa Cruz Riverwalk; and many of you joined us for River Health Days, where we removed invasive species from the river’s banks and planted native species as an investment in a thriving river ecosystem.
Education, monitoring and stewardship are the pillars of our work as we reconnect a healthy watershed to a vibrant community. CWC builds on our 21 year history while innovating and collaborating with diverse community partners to achieve lasting, sustainable results for local watersheds.
We pause at this time of year to reflect upon and celebrate the year’s success and lessons – and then dive right back in for more impact that matters to all of your and our community. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to play a key role in this work and to grateful to you, because you make it possible, every bit of it. Thank you.
With Gratitude,
Greg Pepping
Executive Director
Coastal Watershed Council