You can help improve San Lorenzo River habitat at River Health Days!
Are you interested in improving San Lorenzo River habitat to help native species of bugs, birds, fish and plants thrive? Then sign up today for a River Health Day! At these monthly events, you help remove invasive plants like cape ivy and ice plant and reintroduce native species such as mugwort, willows, blackberry and monkey flower. By revegetating the river bank, volunteers like you slow the spread of invasive plants along the 2.5-mile-long Santa Cruz Riverwalk and cultivate plants that provide bank stability, food, shade and shelter for birds, insects and wildlife. At the end of each River Health Day, you can look back on the habitat you helped, the people you connected with and know that you made a difference in your community.
Sign up for a River Health Day and help San Lorenzo River habitat thrive!
River Health Days Volunteer Sign Up
Learn More About Native Plants of the Lower San Lorenzo River
Coastal Bush Lupine
Every second Saturday of the month, CWC leads River Health Days where volunteers help plant and care for a variety of native plant species to increase biodiversity and habitat complexity and support a healthy river ecosystem. Coastal Bush Lupine (Lupinus arboreus) is...
Common Rush: A Defensive Line Along the River
In the spirit of learning, the Coastal Watershed Council invites you to explore and learn more about native plants growing along the lower San Lorenzo River. Every second Saturday of the month, CWC leads River Health Days where volunteers help plant, water and care...
Willows: Stewards of the San Lorenzo River
Willows are an essential component of river or marsh habitats. Thriving in saturated riparian soil, willows grow extensive root systems that stabilize river banks, by holding sediment and soil in place and protecting the bank during high flow events. Willows support water quality by preventing sediment from entering the stream …
Recent habitat enhancement news:
Why Flags?
As you meander along the east side of the Santa Cruz Riverwalk, you have likely noticed the sea of yellow, blue and pink and white landscaping flags covering the riverbank between the Soquel Avenue and Laurel Street bridges. You may have wondered, "What are these...
The Difference a Dedicated Group of Volunteers Can Make
From the early summer until the first rains come in, CWC volunteers focus on maintenance at the habitat enhancement site along the lower San Lorenzo River including watering and weeding the native seedlings, helping them become established and thrive during these dry...
San Lorenzo River Action Projects Guide
You can help protect our San Lorenzo River! This Action Projects Guide provides fun opportunities and creative ways to learn about and protect the San Lorenzo River, our main source of drinking water and habitat to hundreds of animal and plant species.
The River Health Day Program is generously supported by the following sponsors:
Central Coast Wilds & Ecological Concerns, Inc.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Employee Conservation Action Fund