Building Wildlife Habitat and Community Resilience on Working Lands - Roots 168

This project will enhance wildlife habitat on culturally sensitive lands owned by the Pajaro Valley Ohlone Indian Council (PVOIC). Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW) is the lead applicant and a long-time partner with the PVOIC. WWW operates extensive restoration projects with community engagement in the area and will support the PVOIC throughout this partnership. The goals of the 0.29-acre project are to enhance wetland and riparian habitat (approx. 0.09 acres) for wildlife within the Struve Slough complex, provide a native plant hedgerow (approx. 0.1 acres) buffer from adjacent land uses, remove remnant concrete rubble and slabs (approx. 0.1 acres) to improve wildlife habitat, and establish culturally important native plants to the PVOIC. The project also aims to provide engaging hands-on training and education for local students and community volunteers in the habitat restoration process. Project activities will benefit a large suite of wildlife. The Watsonville Slough System supports 279 species of resident and migratory birds and 23 different native plants and animals that are listed as endangered or threatened or species of special concern. Project activity is likely to benefit western pond turtle, California red-legged frog, and a variety of bird species such as red-winged blackbird, song sparrows, northern harrier, white tailed kite, and many others. (WCB Project Tracker ID: 2022065).