Wednesday, May 2, 2012
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

VENTURA, CA - May is Watershed Awareness Month and on Wednesday, May 2, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee is inviting the community to celebrate the successful efforts in the Santa Clara River Watershed. Hosted by Hansen Agricultural Center (Faulkner Farm, 287 S. Briggs Rd. in Santa Paula), this is event is free to the public.

Speakers will educate, and motivate attendees by addressing the accomplishments, challenges and untapped opportunities for the future of the Santa Clara River Watershed. Posters and exhibits by local organizations will provide highlights of programs underway to protect and enhance the watershed.

Speakers include:

Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long

John Krist - Chief Executive Officer, Farm Bureau of Ventura County

Mike Solomon - General Manager, United Water Conservation District

Ron Bottorff - Founder and Chairman, Friends of the Santa Clara River

Rick Gould - Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, City of Santa Clarita

Also, on separate days, free tours will be held to help the public learn more about the successful efforts to restore the watershed and improve sustainability.

Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 9 a.m. -10 a.m. - Nature Walk and Talk tour of the Hanson property owned by The Nature Conservancy Property in Santa Paula, 11 a.m.- noon - docent led tour of the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula (926 Railroad Ave.) featuring farm implements used in the extensive agriculture industry in the county.

Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 9 a.m. -10 a.m. - the City of Santa Clarita will discuss its purchase of the last natural three-acre section of Bouquet Creek (27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd.) within city limits and look at the restored native plant palette after invasive plants were removed. From 11 a.m.– noon - tour of the recycled water system used at La Verne Nursery (3645 Camulos St.) in Piru that captures irrigation tailwater and storm water for reuse on fruit trees.

For maps, more information and how to RSVP visit: http://www.vcstormwater.org/scr or contact Lynn Rodriguez at lynn.rodriguez@ventura.org.