The Fish and Wildlife Preserve, part of the network of sloughs in south county, is a highly sensitive environmental area according to Jonathan Pilch executive director of Watsonville Wetlands Watch. Home to a myriad of both residential and migrating birds, river otters, amphibians, fish, and native plants, these areas are the natural jewels of the Pajaro Valley. Rich with life and beauty, the sloughs are a beacon for birders, recreational walkers, families, and artists who visit the area to observe these natural wonders.
However, over the last few years, illegal encampments have polluted these easily damaged habitats. The sloughs are not meant for human habitation, yet the encampment which was removed in September 2022 through the collaboration facilitated by the Trash Talkers including Fish and Wildlife, City of Watsonville and CalTrans, had been entrenched for a long time. "To see it removed was a huge accomplishment," said John Moreno of the City of Watsonville.
The September encampment cleanup of the Fish and Wildlife Preserve resulted in two - thirty yard dumpsters, Two – eight yard containers of trash, and an additional eight yard container, plus a long bed pickup truck of metal debris.
South county residents and visitors want the sloughs protected for the wildlife that inhabit them. Fish and Wildlife will be working with their biologists over the coming months to work on plans for remediation of the natural landscape.
In addition, Fish and Wildlife will be providing regular patrols to ensure that encampments will not be reestablished due to the significant damage they pose to these threatened environs. City of Watsonville under the direction of Wetland Watch, will be limbing up trees and CalTrans is reestablishing fencing (some 150 yard of new fencing has been already put in). Caltrans will also be sloping areas to make human access more difficult in wildlife areas and installing no trespassing signs. The Watsonville Police Department will participate in enforcement.
These are the types of collaborations that the Trash Talkers have facilitated through their efforts to bring agencies together to address litter in Santa Cruz County.
Members of Fish and Wildlife and City of Watsonville work in cooperation to remove illegal encampment in slough.
Makeshift structure is filled with garbage, human feces, and illegal drug paraphernalia.
Encampment area along the fragile banks of the preserve.
Discarded needles and other debris endangers animals.
Illegal Structures are cleared away from slough.
In addition to pallets and mattresses, dangerous propane bottles which could cause irreparable damage due to fire are hauled away.
After significant effort, one of the illegal camping areas is returned to it rightful owner: nature.
Fish and Wildlife staff and wardens prepare to remove encampment refuse.