Coastal Watershed Council enhancing San Lorenzo River ecosystem by hosting River Health Day

The Coastal Watershed Council is teaming up with the Watershed Stewards program to help restore the San Lorenzo River.

30 volunteers helped remove invasive species on Sunday along with planting native plants to help the rivers ecosystem. Some of those species include wild California rose, yarrow, and gumweed.

Coastal Watershed council member Alev Bilingsoy says the river plays an important role in the community with a rich history behind it, “Before the 1950’s it was kind of a larger kind of more dynamic river. It would flow down to a large river mouth area that was like estuary ecosystem that a lot of fish would thrive in and a lot of birds would thrive in and that is what really attracted us as humans to this place.”

These River health days hold more than one purpose, “There are two goals I can think of, one is to bolster the river ecosystem and create a healthier environment, but also similarly, just as importantly is bringing community around the river,” says Billingsoy.

Being near the San Lorenzo River for just five minutes you can see tons of different speices that call it home. It also has history as a popular fishing spot. Volunteer and Coastal Watershed Council Intern Isaac Wallacemenge says volunteering is his way of giving back to the environment, “I use the river a lot i’m an avid fisherman and surfer so I mean I figured I should be out here kind of giving back to the environment since it’s given so much to me.”

The Coastal Watershed Council holds these health days at least once a month, to find out more information click here.