STEWARDSHIP

We are the Voice for the Carmel River, advocating in policy, political, and public forums to protect the river’s water supply and represent the interests of wildlife, community, and our shared habitats. 

person standing in water

ADVOCACY

Over the past 25 years the CRWC has jumped in where needed to create solutions ranging from pharmaceutical drop boxes to watershed action plans. Where the river needs us, we are there. 

The CRWC leads the Carmel River Task Force, creating a forum for collaboration and action plans based on the watershed science. This foundation of collaboration has helped draw resources and partnership action for key watershed initiatives. 

river water

STEWARDSHIP

CRWC builds stewardship opportunities and resources for river and watershed protection. In 2025 we are: 

  • Launching Science Uncorked to share watershed science 

  • Working with the MPWMD on updating the Monterey County Regional Priority plan for fire prevention and watershed health

  • Bringing in National Geographic Explorer Erica Gies on April 6th CWD to speak on the benefits of slow water stewardship. 

  • Creating a Climate Resilience Stewardship Hub to strengthen community capacity to build resilience.

  • Working with the Firesafe Council of Monterey County and the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County on updating stewardship materials for wildfire and watershed resilience.

Community engagement

The paradigm of looking to big solutions such as dams is shifting to restoring natural ecosystem processes, from relying on corporate or public action and moving towards reliance on distributed action from every landowner throughout the watershed. Every neighbor’s actions to prevent wildfire spread or sink and store water to forestall drought makes a difference. CRWC is leading the way to bring the community together for environmental stewardship best practices to help us all thrive.

prevent forest fires sign

DISASTER resilience

Only through collaborative efforts can watersheds be restored and managed to be resilient in the face of climate change. Watershed resiliency is not a goal unto itself. It is a means to an end, namely protecting the flow of water related ecological services to and from the watershed, from water supply to disaster protection. Meeting this goal will require broadening of collaborative efforts.

EDUCATION

Education is at the heart of much that we do.

YOUTH EDUCATION

  • Providing watershed curriculum for environmental educators

  • Providing buses to bring youth in from Monterey County to participate in hands-on Nature days with the Santa Lucia Conservancy education program, California Wildlife Day,  and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. 

  • Annual Environmental Educators Summit held each summer to discuss challenges and resources to support watershed education. If you are an educator looking for resources, see below.

ADULT & FAMILY PROGRAMS

  • Watershed Tours held each Spring and Fall to connect community members with history, science, and future projects.

  • California Wildlife Date! A family friendly celebration of wildlife.

  • Science Uncorked, Pairing delicious Carmel River ideas and delicious wine 

  • Volunteer opportunities: Planting natives for riverbank restoration, annual trash cleanup, working with CRSA on fish rescues.