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Patrick J. Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center |
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Watsonville Wetlands Watch, a group dedicated to the protection, restoration and appreciation of the wetlands, has formed a partnership with the City of Watsonville and the Pajaro Unified School District to build the Wetlands Educational Resource Center (WERC) on the grounds of the new Pajaro Valley High School. | ||||||
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The Patrick J. Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center will have a greenhouse, classroom and laboratory. Students will participate in hands-on scientific experiments and studies to create a management plan and monitor existing conditions in the wetlands surrounding their school. The Wetlands Center is not intended to be merely an extra classroom for the high school. The entire community, including grade school and middle school students and their parents, will be invited to participate in activities there. There will be docent training for volunteers, and internships for UCSC and Cabrillo College students. The total cost to build the Wetlands Center is $760,000. Of this, $375,000 will come from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, who obtained a grant from the State of California. The School District has also provided the site and will provide ongoing building maintenance. The City of Watsonville has committed $150,000 toward building costs. Watsonville Wetlands Watch will oversee the use of the Center, with its education and restoration programs and cooperative research with other schools and institution. They are leading the campaign to raise the remaining funds, for lab equipment, furnishings, and staffing. Contributors are invited to call Carol Whitehill, chair of the W.E.R.C. fundraising committee of Watsonville Wetlands Watch at 831-728-5667. |
Contributors Great Blue Herons Marsh Hawks Kestrels | ||||||
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