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DRAFT
A Proposal for Rediscovering Our Local Watershed
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
May 2008
Vision
Imagine that we have rediscovered the local watershed in Pacific Grove. We start by learning to value the 18 inches of water that falls each year to the ground in the City. By restoring the old reservoir on David Avenue we collect water that we can use to irrigate parks, the golf course, and schools. We also have water to re-create areas of natural wetlands throughout Pacific Grove. We open up creeks and streams that have diverted our water into rain gutters, culverts, storm drains, and the sewer. Instead of treating this water as “waste”, we recognize that it must play a major role in providing water for local residents and for wildlife. The creeks are able to provide water for the year-round natural environment and for migrating birds and butterflies to sustain their populations during the winter months. The “rediscovered” water now flowing throughout Pacific Grove also provides water to grow fruit trees and community gardens.
We also harvest rainwater by installing cisterns and tanks in our yards. By removing lawns and ornamental plantings and replanting with natives, we are able to have enough water to run drip lines to home gardens to produce some of our food. Imagine that we learn to use water more than once in our homes and business. Water from our sinks is used to flush toilets. Instead of pouring clean water down the drain, we use it to run our washing machines or to grow vegetables.
Imagine also that we stop polluting water with chemicals and pesticides and that we protect our ground and surface water so that it will not harm the bay. Before this clean water even reaches the bay imagine that it is retained in small ponds and provides water for gardens, recreation areas, and natural habitats. These wetlands act as natural cleaners, filtering out harmful contaminants that would otherwise harm the marine environment.
Imagine that we can take pride in our reduced dependence on the Carmel River Watershed and that by limiting our importation of distant water we have also done our part to help to reestablish the Carmel River habitat. We have learned to use the water that falls naturally within Pacific Grove and we have learned to respect each drop, making sure that it can replenish people, plants and animals before it reaches the bay.
Concept
Sustainable Pacific Grove is interested in working with partners to make this vision a reality. We would like to work with the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum to provide educate residents and to provide a model for other communities to consider.
Step 1: Display - The first steps would be to develop an overall vision display that could illustrate the concepts of:
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Watershed development – opening of creeks, building ponds, swales, reservoir
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Rainwater harvest – collecting water from roofs and from underground streams and storing water for dry month use in tanks and cisterns
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Permaculture based gardens – incorporating food producing plants with natural systems in mind
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Garden water conservation systems – removing lawns, installing drip irrigation systems, nozzles, timers, composting
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Grey water systems – reusing clean water where feasible
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Watershed Protection – discouraging chemical and pesticide use and recreating natural areas
Step 2: Installation - The key concepts of this program would be illustrated in hands-on displays in the museum facility. Cisterns would be installed to collect water from the roof of the museum. Groundwater that is currently a threat to the basement would be captured and retained in an outside tank or pond. Once water is available in cisterns and tanks, work would start to install drip systems and to provide water to fruit trees that would be planted so as not to impact the existing the drought tolerant garden. Food producing plants would be introduced to illustrate how food can be grown in very small places and with very little water. If sufficient water is captured, this water would be used to irrigate fruit trees along the boarder of Jewell Park as well.
Step 3: Education - The community would be invited to participate in the construction of the cisterns and gardens. Partnering agencies and groups would be invited to provide information and displays. Additionally, on-going classes and demonstrations on water conservation, gardening, hazard awareness, and natural habitats would be offered.
Step 4: Beyond the Museum – Through this effort it is hoped that support would be found to work on watershed restoration throughout Pacific Grove. The ultimate aim of this work would be to restore creeks that once ran through the golf course, parks, and schools and to capture this water for irrigation uses and habitat restoration. This would enable us to lessen our dependence on Carmel River water and provide adequate water for critical habitat areas and for fruit trees and edible gardens so that residents can become more self-reliant.
Potential Partners
Sustainable Pacific Grove
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Master Gardeners
Surfrider Foundation
Monterey Pollution Control District
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Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Cal Am Water Company
Monterey Regional Park District
Sustainability Academy
Monterey Regional Waste Management District
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Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
California State University Monterey Bay Watershed Institute
Funding
The City of Pacific Grove received a grant from the Monterey Regional Park District of $10,000.00 to be used for sustainable projects within Pacific Grove. This grant was a donation from Arthur and Louise Hayler. If acceptable to the City, this funding could be used as matching funds to help attract additional contributions.
Prepared by: Annette Chaplin, Sustainable Pacific Grove www.sustainablepg.org
May 5, 2008
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