San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Project Welcomes AmeriCorps January 2017
The Valley Women’s Club, San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Project, and Santa Cruz County Parks are pleased to announce the return of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team this January through March, 2017. The team will engage in an ongoing effort to clear invasive flora to help heal riparian habitat throughout San Lorenzo Valley, including Highlands Park (Ben Lomond), Quail Hollow Ranch (Ben Lomond), and the site of the new Felton Library.
AmeriCorps NCCC is a national program that enlists young adults from across the country who spend 10 months serving communities and developing leadership skills through direct, team-based national and community service. Their work focuses on disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship, energy conservation, and urban and rural development.
Early in 2016, The Valley Women’s Club’s San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Project, in collaboration with Santa Cruz County Parks, was awarded a grant for an AmeriCorps NCCC team of 8. Their projects included the restoration of the Old Oak Grove at Highlands Senior Center and the removal of invasive plants, such as ivy and Himalayan blackberry, at Junction and Garrahan Parks, Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center, Mountain Community Resources, Boulder Creek Museum, and the Odd Fellows Cemetery. The removal of these invasive plants allows the native flora to recover and creates ever-widening areas of restored native habitat.
The 2017 team consists of 12 young people – ages 18 to 24 – who will be known as Team Silver 3. Donations of food, tools, and living supplies for the Team’s residence would be greatly appreciated. Given there will be 12 workers on this year’s team, San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Project is specifically in need of gently used twin beds and linens and some sitting room furniture.
Contact Linda Skeff: redwoodduff@gmail.com
Please “Like” and share our Facebook page to show your support of this wonderful effort to restore riparian habitat in San Lorenzo Valley to ensure the health and beauty of the watershed for current and future generations to enjoy: www.facebook.com/slvrestorationproject/