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
Plant Profile: Black Sage
Black Sage is a perennial subshrub that is scientifically known as Salvia mellifera. Being the most common sage in California, this shrub is found in foothills, canyons, mesas, and chaparrals.
Plant Profile: Deerweed
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Plant Profile: Beach Strawberry
Photo Credit: Flickr Commons Every second Saturday of the month, CWC (Coastal Watershed Council) 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...
Plant Profile: Hooker’s Evening Primrose
Photo Credit: Flickr Commons Every second Saturday of the month, CWC (Coastal Watershed Council) 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...
Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana)
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons 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. Mugwort...
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:
Plant Profile: Black Sage
Black Sage is a perennial subshrub that is scientifically known as Salvia mellifera. Being the most common sage in California, this shrub is found in foothills, canyons, mesas, and chaparrals.
Plant Profile: Deerweed
Photo...
Significant River Levee Management Change Mandated by FEMA
Originally published December 12, 2022, updated on December 14, 2022, with results from City Council action There have always been requirements to maintain the levees following specific protocols, since their construction by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950s....
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