Wildlife Protection Grants Awarded To Watsonville, Santa Cruz

WATSONVILLE, CA — California State Parks recently announced that Santa Cruz County has three projects out of 26 statewide that will receive grants to help protect, restore and enhance wildlife habitat. The statewide grants totaling $4.1 million from the California Habitat Conservation Fund Grant Program include the following local grants:

City of Watsonville: Upper Struve Slough Habitat Restoration — $52,600 to restore and enhance approximately one acre of wetlands. The project includes removal of non-native plants, re-establishment of native habitat and enhancement work along the Struve Slough bicycle and pedestrian trail.

City of Santa Cruz: Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge Interpretive Trail — $200,000 to replace approximately 480 feet of boardwalk trail and interpretive signage.

Santa Cruz County: Riparian Restoration at Soquel Creek — $205,750 to restore approximately 40,287 square feet of riparian habitat, including removal and replacement of nonnative plants with native plants, fencing and interpretive signage.

Watsonville's Struve Slough project, between Main Street and Pennsylvania Drive, will be directed by Watsonville Wetlands Watch.

“Our community is fortunate to have Watsonville Wetland Watch leading local efforts to protect and restore the sloughs,” said Murray Fontes, principal engineer with the City of Watsonville. “Work on this project will be done over the next two years and Wetlands Watch will host work days where Watsonville residents can help with the restoration efforts."

The overall project cost is $105,200. While the state is kicking in $52,600, the city and Wetlands Watch are paying the remaining cost.