A tightly-knit team of AmeriCorps environmental workers this week wrangled with patches of stubborn Himalayan Blackberry bramble — removing more than 5,000 of the noxious weeds.
With a grant from the Valley Women’s Club of San Lorenzo Valley, and driven by Linda Skeff, director of the San Lorenzo Valley Restoration Project, the effort will serve as home to the Bull Creek Nature Discovery Park, adjacent to the new Felton Branch Library.
“This is a prime example of non-profits working with government,” said Skeff, referring to the partnership between AmeriCorps, Felton Library Friends, Santa Cruz County Parks and the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. “We’re all working together for a greater good.”
AmeriCorps partners with community organizations to mobilize citizens and volunteers to promote environmental stewardship. The overall goal of the non-profit organization is to train youth, unemployed and underemployed citizens to work in conservation and “green” jobs to reconnect Americans to the outdoors.
According to Skeff, the goal of restoring the riparian corridor is to make way for native trees such as dogwood, oak and willow on property donated by the water district. Currently, the native species are being obstructed by the Himalayan Blackberry bushes.
Once the native plants have been given life, they will attract birds, butterflies and bees, which will use to pollinate the garden.
The youngsters, ages 18 – 25, are also learning about local environmental concerns in the valley through docent-led hikes and presentations by local experts.
“This is the perfect amalgamation of the needs of the community with the needs of the habitat,” Skeff said. “We’re building stewardship in the valley for the next generation.”
Once completed sometime in late 2019, the entire two-acre parcel, located next to the post office on Gushee Street, will house a 9,300 square-foot-library and outdoor exploration park for environmental enthusiasts. The county owns the land and the library will be built using Measure S funds. Felton Library Friends are raising funds for the nature area.
Measure S, approved by voters in June of 2016, is a $67 million library facilities improvement bond measure, which included $8.6 million to build the new library in Felton.
Jim Mosher, of Felton Library Friends, said the exploration area comes with a price tag of about $600,000. His group has applied for a state grant that focuses on environmental education for $395,000, which will be awarded sometime next June.
The county is currently compiling construction documents that are required to put the project out to bid.
“We’re shooting for the bid to go out in April and begin building by the end of summer,” said Mosher, adding that construction will take about 15 months. “It’s moving forward like we planned, it’s just taking a little bit longer.”
The only glitch is constructions costs have risen during the two years since the measure was passed, leaving a minimal shortfall, which Mosher doesn’t see as a deal killer.
“We are confident,” Mosher said, adding that a fund-raising campaign will kick into high gear this spring. “We can raise the money in the community.”
