“As a Watershed Ranger, I promise to protect and care for our community and the San Lorenzo River. I promise to continue to explore the San Lorenzo River, ask what I can do to help out and share what I know with others.”
–Watershed Ranger Pledge
We all live in a watershed and we all can make a difference, no matter our age. The Watershed Rangers education program connects, inspires and empowers Santa Cruz County youth to explore and protect their local watersheds through meaningful hands-on learning and action. During the school day, students engage in four sessions of hands-on scientific investigation and study of their local watershed, increasing their awareness of local environmental issues and how they can be part of the solution. In partnership with local youth organizations, after-school participants engage in hands-on exploration of the San Lorenzo River and take direct action to support the health of the San Lorenzo River and broader Santa Cruz community.
Build Personal Connections
Students build connections to their watersheds in ways personally relevant to them.
Inspire Daily Participation in Sustainable Practices
Students make an impact in their community and watershed.
Increase Environmental Literacy
Students build knowledge of scientific concepts and understand impacts to the health of a watershed.
Empower Youth
Students recognize their full potential and their valuable contributions to the community. A focus is placed on not on the future potential of youth but on demonstrating how they can make a difference and contribute today.
Watershed Rangers in Action:
Pledge to Pitch In! Join the Pitch In All-Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day on May 9th
Join the Coastal Watershed Council and Pitch In Santa Cruz County on May 9th at the Pitch In All-Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day to help make Santa Cruz County the cleanest county in California!
Staff Spotlight – Education Coordinator Sam Adelson
This staff spotlight is all about CWC’s Education Coordinator, Sam Adelson! For almost 8 years, Sam has been a valuable part of the CWC team and its Watershed Rangers environmental education program. In this article, Sam shares how his interests and life path brought him to CWC, and how his passion for the San Lorenzo River continues to motivate and empower his work.
CWC Reaches 25,000 Watershed Rangers – Help Reach 25,000 More!
When Stephen Stires's 3rd-grade class from Bradley Elementary spilled off the school bus at the San Lorenzo River in February 2025, they embarked on one of many field trips that Coastal Watershed Council environmental educators run year-round. This particular trip...
Learn how Watershed Rangers is making an impact:
“As a Watershed Ranger I pledge to be respectful and responsible to my watershed. I will help my watershed in any way I can. I pledge to enlighten the people who live in the watershed. I will be kind, willing and friendly. I will use my wisdom of the watershed to help and teach many other people.”
“The Coastal Watershed Council education program allowed my students to spend time being scientists in Fall Creek. They were able to do a survey of the stream and test the quality of the water using scientific tools. The chance to participate in hands-on science outdoors is invaluable!”
“I pledge to protect and conserve wildlife and natural features, to help make the world a better place and try to get people to do the same.”
“The Coastal Watershed Council has been bringing exceptional education to the 6th graders at New Brighton Middle School for years. Our kids are proud of their environmentally-aware community, and they really appreciate learning how to be even better stewards through their work with the CWC.”