WATSONVILLE — Watsonville Wetlands Watch is looking for volunteers to help young people delve into and learn about South County’s myriad natural areas.
At first glance, Watsonville is a small city with all the trappings that come along with it.
But digging just under the surface brings one into a world-class wetland that draws birders from around the globe, and onto seven miles of nature trails through an ecosystem that is home to some 220 bird species and other animals.
Just a few miles away are arguably some of the best coastal areas on the planet.
At the same time, however, there are many people who rarely see the natural areas, and residents who do not fully understand them.
Enter Watsonville Wetlands Watch, which offers nature programs for everyone from school kids to the general public.
To do that requires a team of volunteer docents who lead interpretive nature programs for young people from 5 years old to high school age.
Docents also help with public outreach activities, lead wetland tours, participate in special events, collect science data, volunteer in the greenhouse and maintain the native plant demonstration garden.
“It’s a great way to learn about the wetlands and the trail system,” said Watsonville Wetlands Watch Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Ria Mukerji. “The Watsonville Wetlands Watch docent program is an incredibly powerful way to give back to the community and help to foster the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders.”
Sharon Clark became a docent eight years ago, when she heard a talk about it in Capitola.
“I listened and said, ‘this is what I want to do,” she said. “Here is something I can learn with and grow with.”
Clark said she enjoys working with the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders that come with their classes.
Dan Merritt, who has been a docent for about five years, is a retired zoology professor with a special interest in wetlands ecology.
“The kids live in a situation where they have access to nature, beautiful and fascinating bird life and plants,” he said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about local nature, and learn to take care of it.”
While Merritt brought his collegiate knowledge of wetlands to the volunteer position, organizers stress that prior knowledge is not necessary.
Volunteers go through a seven-week program that includes classroom presentations on Wednesdays and field trips on Saturdays.
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The seven-week docent training program begins Jan. 17, and runs through March 7. For information, email [email protected] or call (909) 680-9872.
