The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has recently awarded eight recipients for the 2023-24 Watershed Stewardship and Educational Grant program. This grant program supports local community and school projects that protect, restore, or enhance waterways within the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County.
DWR has awarded grant projects for more than 20 years that involve trash cleanup events, nature-friendly landscapes, field trips to learn about Sacramento’s watershed, water quality studies, and the development of outreach materials that educate the community about pollution prevention.
Projects will take place between now and the end of May. Below is a list of this year’s grant awardees and a summary of their projects:
Grant Recipient, Project Description, Grant Award
- Alexander Twilight Secondary Academy
- Alexander Twilight Secondary Academy is supporting hands-on projects for students who will participate in trash cleanups and a field trip to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. The project will also include the development of a public awareness campaign where students will get an opportunity to share what they learned about their local watershed and propose solutions for reducing stormwater pollution. Students will enact their solutions on campus and spread awareness on social media platforms.
- $2,500
- Golden Valley Charter School (GVCS)
- GVCS community members is completing school garden and yard improvements to create nature-friendly landscapes. The landscapes will support watershed health and educate students and the community about stormwater pollution prevention.
- $2,500
- SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity
- The Museum of Science is maintaining and enhancing a Water Curiosity Cart in the exhibit area, which is an interactive, hands-on display that will teach visitors (including youth) about stormwater pollution, different uses of water, and wildlife conservation efforts. Visitors will learn how they can positively impact their local ecosystems through everyday actions.
- $2,500
- Sierra Nevada Journeys
- The Sierra Nevada Journey’s (SNJ) program aims to encourage behavior change by teaching students about water cycles, watersheds, and water quality issues through the organization’s established “Hands in the River” program. SNJ will provide $250 scholarships to 10 eligible schools within the Stormwater Utility Boundaries.
- $2,500
- Meristem Program
- Meristem is creating a forest garden that incorporates water harvesting techniques to reduce runoff and support plant life. In addition, students and their family will learn about living sustainably which will tie into stormwater pollution prevention practices.
- $2,450
- Sacramento Valley Conservancy (SVC)
- SVC is constructing a bioswale, removing invasive plants, and restoring a native vegetation at Camp Pollock, which is located along the American River Parkway. After the bioswale is complete, an educational sign will be installed to educate the community on the importance of taking care of our waterways and steps to improve water quality. This is a volunteer-based program.
- $2,500
- American River Parkway Foundation (ARPF)
- ARPF is developing two new high school chapters that will focus on trash cleanups and environmental stewardship efforts at selected school sites (e.g., native gardens, composting program, outreach events, and invasive plant removal). These activities will allow high school students to make a positive difference in their watershed.
- $2,500
- Sacramento Area Creeks Council
- The Sacramento Area Creeks Council is partnering with the River City Waterway Alliance to host 8 clean up events in various areas within the Unincorporated County region. The cleanups will prevent trash from entering local waterways and create educational and volunteer opportunities for residents. The 8 events are estimated to remove between 8,000 to 80,000 pounds of trash and debris from local waterways
- $2,500
For information about future grant opportunities, please check the Watershed Stewardship and Education Grants webpage for updates.
For more information about the grants and how to apply, contact Jeanette Huddleston at (916) 874-4711.