The San Lorenzo Valley
Protecting Our Watershed
The San Lorenzo Valley watershed originates in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Castle Rock State Park and is a major source of water for the city of Santa Cruz as well as important coho salmon and steelhead trout habitat. Our efforts directly support this native fishery and the health of the watershed throughout the SLV.
Restoring Native Habitat
English ivy, vinca, and Himalayan blackberry are invasive, non-native plants. The San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Project removes invasive growth, expands native habitat corridors on public lands, and teaches skills for homeowners so that native plants and wildlife thrive.
Involving the Community
Everyone is invited to become involved in restoring riparian habitat, from private backyards to public parks. The San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Project provides online tools that identify and define the steps needed to take an active role in improving the health of our watershed.
The Daily Dirt
What butterflies really want (and need)
Butterflies are beautiful, vital pollinators in our gardens and forests We in the SLV are fortunate to live near overwintering sites for Monarchs in Santa Cruz and Monterey. We have all heard that we can help declining populations by planting milkweed, but planting milkweed close to overwintering populations is disruptive to their migration. San Lorenzo…
Abuzz About Bee Boxes
San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat Restoration Program Busy with Bees The Valley Women’s Club’s Native Habitat Restoration Program engaged AmeriCorps NCCC Team Fire 5 to remove embedded plastic sheeting and invasive plant growth from under the San Lorenzo Valley Water District Kirby Street substation solar panels that border the Felton Discovery Park. The area around…
Our Native Habitat in Action
Set in the redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this video is about the life cycle of the California Hazel throughout the year. It includes shots of its own special flowers and catkins as well as various other forest wild flowers. Steller’s Jays and Grey Squirrels are also seen eating the nutritious nuts. Video: Fred & Roberta McPherson.
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What’s the Buzz?
I can’t thank you all enough for all the hard work you put in that day. It looks so much better now that we are preparing to fix the fence now. All those strong and able bodies going to work on that area really made a difference. Thanks again!
Jennifer Hennig
Santa Cruz Mountain Arts Center
Thank you for making our world a better place. The San Lorenzo Valley has benefited greatly from the AmeriCorps NCCC Team Blue 6. We are so very proud of all of you and more than delighted to see every area of habitat improvement and restoration that Linda Skeff and your team completed.
