City of Watsonville and The Watsonville Wetlands Watch Celebrate National Trails Day

WATSONVILLE – The City of Watsonville and Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW) invite all community members to join in celebrating National Trails Day by helping to remove garbage and litter from the trails and restore habitat at the Native Plant Demonstration Garden and along the city wetland trail near the City of Watsonville Nature Center in Ramsaey Park. The restoration event is on Sunday, June 1, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Nature Center, 30 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville, CA 95076 (in the back of Ramsay Park). Please bring water, layered work clothes, sturdy shoes and a sun hat. We will provide refreshments, tools and gloves. Attendees will also have to opportunity to go on a guided walk.

 

The Watsonville Trails networks winds through the Watsonville Slough System, one of the State’s largest remaining coastal freshwater wetlands. The slough system supports over 250 different resident and migratory birds and 23 native plant and animal species that are threatened, endangered, or species of special concern. These species include the Northern Harrier, Tricolored Blackbird, and White-tailed Kite, which all might be viewable on the day of the National Trails Day event.

 

In May of 2006, the City of Watsonville received an award from the California Association of Trails for the development of community nature trails that provide easy public access to this 800 acre freshwater wetland. With more than six miles of paved trails and 29 trail entrances in neighborhoods, Watsonville offers new opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of our special wetlands for recreation and relaxation. The trails also received recognition from the California Transportation Foundation, winning the 17th annual 2006 TRANNY award for Pedestrian Bicycle Project of the Year.

 

National Trails Day is an opportunity to celebrate our magnificent trail system and showcase the beautiful landscapes in our area. Explore this hidden treasure up close and discover the wonders of this habitat! Learn about native plants, animals, and restoration. Community service credits are available. No registration is needed.

 

Watsonville Wetlands Watch is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and fostering appreciation of the wetlands of thePajaro Valley. Watsonville Wetlands Watch partners with the City of Watsonville to support the City’s wetland trails program.

 

This event is sponsored by the City of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities Department and the Watsonville Wetlands Watch. For more information, please call the City of Watsonville Nature Center at (831) 768-1622.