Restore a Creek with Friends of Sausal Creek
Dozens of creeks once flowed freely from Oakland’s hills down to the Bay. Their waters were home to many fish. Creek banks lined with water-loving trees sheltered birds, frogs, and other animals. Those creeks are still here today, but they’re not easy to find. As Oakland grew, many creeks were forced into culverts below city streets.
Since 1996, Friends of Sausal Creek volunteers have worked to restore a stream that runs from Oakland’s hills through the flatlands and to the Bay. Community members have replaced invasive species with native seedlings, returning thriving habitats to many parts of Sausal Creek.
Ecological restoration builds resilience. Healthy ecosystems are better able to serve our communities, host wildlife, and respond and adapt to climate-related disasters.
Join Friends of Sausal Creek on April 20 for one of its largest annual restoration workdays with hundreds of community members working together to make our green spaces healthy, beautiful, and resilient for generations to come.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains all the rainwater and snowmelt into a common body of water, like a lake, river, or ocean. It’s like a giant funnel that captures all the water that falls within its boundaries, and channels it downhill.
California places a high importance on watersheds for a couple of reasons:
- Water source: California gets most of its water from precipitation that falls in its mountains and collects in watersheds. These watersheds act like giant reservoirs, storing water naturally and releasing it slowly throughout the year. Healthy watersheds with plenty of vegetation can capture more water and store it more effectively, reducing reliance on man-made reservoirs.
- Water quality: Watersheds also play a crucial role in filtering water. As water travels through a healthy watershed, it gets naturally filtered by soil and vegetation. This filtration process removes impurities and helps to ensure clean drinking water. Polluted watersheds, on the other hand, can lead to contaminated water supplies.
In short, watersheds are like nature’s water management system for California, providing both the quantity and quality of water the state relies on. This is especially important considering the ongoing drought conditions in California.
This month, we invite you to visit our Gallery of California Natural Sciences to learn more about the interaction between humans and the natural world. Hear from the voices of local community members and scientists, and discover how you can make a difference.