40 Cubic Yards of Trash Removed as Restoration Work Begins
Elkhorn — More than 40 people from Save Our Shores and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters volunteered to remove trash so that restoration work can begin on a portion of the Elkhorn Slough Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR). In the two-day effort in late July, the volunteers cleaned up approximately 40 cubic yards of abandoned agricultural debris. 
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation purchased the property, and ownership was transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, owners of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve in 2008. The 42-acre lot on the east side of Elkhorn Road had been used for agricultural row crops prior to its conservation. Years after the crops have gone fallow and native plants have begun to repopulate the landscape, the Reserve Stewardship staff made a startling discovery. “We were there conducting a plant survey and it wasn’t until we started bushwhacking along the property’s perimeter that we knew the former farmer had just piled this waste there.” stated ESNERR Stewardship Coordinator, Andrea Woolfolk.
It was obvious a cleanup was critical. The property provides a variety of birds and wildlife with habitat of grassland and maritime chaparral. In addition to being an eyesore, this discarded infrastructure could prove hazardous to small wildlife. Additionally land restoration benefits the waters of the slough reduces sediment run-off into the nearby waterway. “We are really grateful for the energy and hard work of these volunteers,” said Andrea Woolfolk. “We have to thank Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Save Our Shores, and the many volunteers who generously dedicated their time for this unique project. Their efforts made a huge impact. It would have been difficult to do without them.”
“This was a fantastic event,” said Rachel Kippen, Save Our Shores Program Manager. “Our staff and volunteers had tons of fun and appreciated the opportunity to clean such a beautiful property.” Save Our Shores has been promoting preservation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for 30 years and is well known for their beach clean-up efforts.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), recognized for its award-winning coffees with a plant in Castroville, has been part of the Reserve and Elkhorn Slough Foundation volunteer efforts for more than three years.
“Our employees enjoy the beauty of the slough while feeling the rewards of helping a local organization, which is why GMCR is pleased to support this local effort.” stated Alison Skinner, volunteer coordinator for GMCR, Castroville.
Reserve Manager Dave Feliz was extremely pleased with the effort. “Removal of these vestiges of the former farm helps get us closer to restoring the original upland habitats that were cleared to make way for the agricultural activities. Ironically, we are looking into reusing some of this irrigation infrastructure for habitat projects.”
Elkhorn Slough is the second largest estuary in California, part of a watershed that features a variety of habitats — from oak woodlands and maritime chaparral to rare and threatened wetlands — that support incredible biodiversity. Elkhorn Slough hosts more than 135 species of aquatic birds, 550 species of marine invertebrates, and 102 species of fish, as well as resident sea lions, harbor seals and the largest concentration of endangered Southern sea otters on the west coast. As part of the Pacific flyway, Elkhorn Slough bird numbers can soar during migration seasons to more than 340 species, nearly doubling the resident bird counts.
Administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR), is one of 28 reserves established nationwide to support long-term research, water-quality monitoring, environmental education, and coastal stewardship.
For more than 30 years, Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) has worked in partnership with the Reserve, and is the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to protecting Elkhorn Slough and its watershed forever. ESF has conserved and restored nearly 4,000 acres of critical habitat — approximately 9% of the watershed. For information about ESF, please visit: www.elkhornslough.org.