Home Contra Costa County Volunteers Help Plant 2,000 Plants During Sand Creek Basin Restoration Work Day

Volunteers Help Plant 2,000 Plants During Sand Creek Basin Restoration Work Day

by ECT

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Saturdays Sand Creek Basin Restoration Project work day event had more than 150 volunteers participate where they helped plant over 2,000 native plants, trees and grasses.

The project site is an ongoing partnership between the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District on a 10 acre wetlands restoration project within the basin.

This project among other things features:

  • an expanded basin that can store 8 times more storm water than before,
  • an 1800-foot-long dam, ranging in height from 1 to 40-feet,
  • restoration of 3,500 linear feet of Sand Creek, including planting over 2500 willow trees
  • creation of 10-acres of wetlands inside the basin, and
  • & the installation of an innovative trash capture device to help clean up the creek

They hope to use the site to teach people about ways we can clean up our water ways and create more naturalized creek systems that also protect our homes from flooding

Diane Burgis, executive director of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed, said she was very pleased by the number of volunteers and that they had exceeded their goal by more than 50 people.

She also wanted to thank elected leaders for their participation at the event. Elected officials in attendance include: Congressman Jerry McNerney, Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho, Gene Claire (Brentwood), Tony Tiscareno (Antioch), Kevin Romick (Oakley) and Bob Simmons (Walnut Creek).

She also thanked Bill Horn and Terracare & Associates for their help in providing staff & tools along with Peets Coffee for providing us with coffee.

“Contra Costa County Flood Control District is so awesome to work with. They are committed to protecting our homes and businesses from flooding but they are also interested in protecting our environment. They do very important work,” said Burgis.

A majority of the photos provided are by Beverley Knight.

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3 comments

Tom Lamothe Mar 9, 2014 - 7:02 am

Great to see such support from volunteers and community leaders.
In the future, where would I find information on volunteering before the event.

EastCountyToday Mar 9, 2014 - 7:17 am

Hi Tom,

We ran a preview/request for volunteers on March 5. I would highly encourage going onto the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed website and subscribe to their email list which will alert you well in advance on upcoming events or volunteer opportunities.

Tom Lamothe Mar 9, 2014 - 7:37 am

Thank you, will sign up today. And thanks for the quick reply!!

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