During
this study, benthic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects)
were collected in a D-frame kicknet by rubbing cobble
and boulder substrates. Samples were then transferred
to plastic jar before being sent to a laboratory for
processing. Volunteers tested water quality, measuring
the chemical, physical, and biological parameters,
and documented physical habitat characteristics of
the riparian zone using specific ranking criteria.
San Pedro Creek Watershed Model
The
goal of this community-based project is to help teach
Pacificans about the importance of protecting San Pedro
Creek through a better understanding of how water moves
through a watershed.
These
photos demonstrate how colored pigments were mixed with
cement and applied to the model to represent different
land uses, for example; green was applied to represent
creek-side vegetation and other wooded areas in the
watershed whereas the color gray represents the urbanized
portions of the Linda Mar Valley. While a few more colors
and an interpretive sign are still needed to complete
the project, the SPCWC is hopeful that the model will
soon be ready for educational demonstrations and utilization
by local school districts. The model is conveniently
located outside on the grounds of the Sanchez Art Center
and Concert Hall so please visit the art center grounds
to view this work in progress.
Restoring
Stream Banks with Soil Bioengineering The San Pedro Creek Watershed Coalition held a four-day
bioengineering workshop in the fall of 1999. Ann L.
Riley, of the Waterways Restoration Institute in Berkeley
California, conducted the workshop, which was meant
to teach city officials and private landowners how to
naturally and effectively stabilize eroding banks along
San Pedro Creek. The following photographs illustrate
a bank stabilization technique learned at this workshop.
Volunteers began by cutting and preparing native willow
branches found throughout the watershed. After removing
non-native invasive plant species from the stream bank,
volunteers use a brush layering technique combined with
pole cuttings to install native willow and finish by
covering the brush layering with soil.
