People experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz are again receiving weekly hands-on training in river habitat restoration techniques thanks to the recent relaunch of the River Stewards program, a unique partnership between the Coastal Watershed Council and People First of Santa Cruz County. The program aims to improve the health of the San Lorenzo River by increasing native biodiversity and creating a thriving river ecosystem for all visitors to enjoy. At the same time, unhoused residents develop their environmental stewardship and basic skills to prepare for environmental jobs such as landscaping, nursery work, and restoration projects.
The program re-started on June 24, 2026, and has engaged 11 participants experiencing homelessness so far, with a goal of engaging at least 20 unique participants over the next year. Participants are recruited through outreach at the Armory/Overlook Emergency Shelter managed by People First. Coastal Watershed Council’s River Ecologist Patrick Lopez guides participants each week in tending to a stretch of habitat along the lower San Lorenzo River that the organization has managed for nearly 10 years, including activities like native seed collection, watering, mulching, trash cleanup, and invasive species removal. Already, the group has removed 1,560 square feet of non-native plants, including Himalayan blackberry and Italian thistle, making room for native seeds that will be planted in the fall and winter.
CWC hosted a version of the River Stewards program from 2022–2025 in partnership with the Downtown Streets Team. Over its three years of operation, the program hosted more than 50 unhoused volunteers who participated in weekly care for the San Lorenzo River. A survey conducted during the final year of the program found that 48% of River Stewards volunteers gained employment and 37% gained housing after participating. The program ended when Downtown Streets Team closed its doors as an organization in October 2025.
“We are so proud to be partnering with People First to relaunch the River Stewards program, which has shown to have a tangible positive impact for both the health of the river and the well-being of participants,” said Coastal Watershed Council Executive Director Laurie Egan. “This program is proof that all Santa Cruzans can be part of the solution for a thriving San Lorenzo River.”
The new iteration of River Stewards is funded by the California Coastal Commission and the Ocean Protection Council through the WHALE TAIL® Grants Program, as well as the County of Santa Cruz’s Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commission and the inaugural Measure Q Grant Program from the County of Santa Cruz. CWC’s application for Measure Q funding to support River Stewards received the highest score of any proposal for “Community Catalyst” grants in the $5,000–$50,000 range.
“Recent months have had a string of bad news for people who are homeless in this community,” said People First Executive Director Evan Morrison. “I hope that restarting this program can be a reminder that we are resilient, and that we will continue to support and provide opportunities to the most vulnerable people here.”
Participants receive lunch and a $20 gift card after each volunteer session, but the personal benefits can go much further. “It feels so good to actually be doing something,” a River Stewards participant named Laurie (shown in the top photo) shared after the program’s second event. “So much nicer than sitting around the Armory. I’m learning stuff, helping out. This is a great crew.”
