Wetland Habitat Restoration: A Collaborative Pond Project
A Pond Collaboration for Wetland Habitat Restoration
A collaboration between Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS/USDA), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), The Hawkes Family, and wildfarmers/spif.
Wetland Habitat Restoration
Wetlands, like this one at the headwaters of the Pajaro River, play a vital role in purifying water as it moves through the ecosystem. Alongside the Blue Oak woodlands, this pond supports a rich biodiversity and serves as a critical link between coastal and inland environments, promoting the health of both human and animal populations.
Currently, freshwater wetlands are experiencing alarming declines, with California having lost over 90% of its wetlands due to unsustainable agriculture and development. This loss threatens numerous species that rely on these habitats for survival. Protecting and enhancing wetland ecosystems is essential for biodiversity and climate resilience, as they can contribute significantly to emissions reductions necessary for combating climate change. The health of our communities is intricately linked to the well-being of our wetlands and wildlands.
Wildfarmers Pond was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s to help control flooding from the Pajaro River in Watsonville.
Over the past century, Wildfarmers Pond has transformed into a sanctuary for wildlife. However, as the local human population increases, Blue Oaks and wildlife face heightened stress. The taproots of the Blue Oaks have become disconnected from the aquifer, leading to their decline, while wildlife struggles to find resources. Last year, when the pond dried up, it resulted in the tragic deaths of five pumas, six bobcats, and numerous coyotes, badgers, hawks, and other species in the area.
The pond embankment, previously weak and now riddled with ground squirrel holes and roots, faced potential failure during midwinter. To address this, Wildfarmers collaborated with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS/USDA) to reinforce the embankment, providing the only safe water source for Blue Oaks and wildlife in the area.
After signing a contract in December 2018, progress was hindered by COVID-19 and drought conditions in subsequent years. By 2023, rising contractor costs and availability issues compounded the challenge of completing the project.
2023
Our Executive Director, Veronica Stork, took on multiple roles as Project Manager, Job Foreman, Surveyor, and Heavy Equipment Operator. With guidance from USFWS Biologist Shawn Milar, she mastered equipment operation, engineering drawings, and elevation measurements to construct the new embankment. We also hired Rocklyn Capri, an impressive one-legged backhoe operator.
Together, we demolished the old embankment, removed debris from the pond, and built and compacted a new embankment, lining the pond with fresh clay. We are now prepared to begin the Spillway Project.
The Pond Project: Wetland Habitat Restoration - A Collaboration
Bigger isn’t always better. The small tiger salamander plays a vital role in the biodiversity of the Blue Oak Savanna, contributing significantly to our ecosystem's balance. Found in leaf litter or underwater, these creatures help control pest populations and aid in carbon sequestration.
Unfortunately, tiger salamanders face endangerment due to habitat loss from agriculture, urbanization, and invasive species. Protecting their habitat is essential for maintaining ecological health and stability within our communities.
NRCS Engineers
NRCS engineers Adriana Campagna and Mark Moehling spending a long day of surveying and staking out the wetland habitat restoration area at wildfarmers pond site.