On Make a Difference Day, communities nationwide will take time to volunteer and give back to the place they call home. At the Coastal Watershed Council, we’re giving back to our community by helping to improve the health of one of this County’s key rivers – the San Lorenzo River. Running through the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, the San Lorenzo River provides this community with a greenbelt, a place to reconnect with nature in the hustle and bustle of our every day lives. It provides drinking water for nearly 100,000 people. And it’s home to many, many species of birds, bugs, fish and other wildlife.

On Make a Difference Day, the Coastal Watershed Council will be making a difference along the San Lorenzo River at the final River Health Day of the season. This fall, 39 volunteers removed 287 square feet of invasive ice plant from the banks of the San Lorenzo River in San Lorenzo Park. On Make a Difference Day, additional volunteers will plant native species including mugwort and wildflowers in these areas creating healthy, native riverine habitat for butterflies, bugs and other wildlife.

You’ll have the chance to spend time along the river and see your direct impact in improving habitat. Space is limited for this fun and rewarding service learning project so sign up and reserve your spot today!