Hazel Dell is a beautiful riparian corridor thick with redwoods, maples, bay trees and fern. This is a fragile ecosystem whose watershed is critically important to resident and transient wildlife alike. Sadly, illegal dumping has damaged delicate habitat, polluted the creek and left an enormous human-made refuse heap in one of the most beautiful canyons in our county.
Hazel Dell Road clean-up led by Trash Talker members including the 4th district office, had the participation of Wetlands Watch, the Estrada Ranch, the American Legion, office of Public Works and Watsonville Works and the Sheriff’s department. It was quite the hike down into the ravine, risky and dangerous. Participation was limited to adults due to the steep terrain. Granite Rock. provided big bags, and helped lift debris out of the Hazel Dell Creek with the use of cranes and cables.
Over 4000 cubic feet of debris and garbage was retrieved, including 40 tires, 2 refrigerators, 1 stove and 6 mattresses, 1 Sofa.
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Trash hauled up from the creek bed to Hazel Dell Road.
Using a crane and cables a sofa is pulled 30 feet up from beautiful Hazel Dell creek.
Illegal dumping destroys sensitive landscapes, harms wildlife, and pollutes our watersheds.
Members of Watsonville Works, along with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, and other Volunteers assisted in cleaning up Hazel Dell Road.