Plants + rainwater

in 2011, Watershed Progressive provided a 2-year curriculum and instruction for special corp members on native greenhouse management, while developing native greenhouse, nursery and sample protocols. In collaboration with the California Conservation Corps (CCC), the National Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Watershed Progressive also designed and facilitated the installation a 44,000 gallon rainwater catchment system, which provides irrigation for the greenhouse and nursery.

1 acre pilot project

In collaboration with CCC, the National Guard, NOAA, Prop 84 funding, and the Morro Bay National Estuary Program, Watershed Progressive developed a 95% stormwater mitigation plan for a one acre pilot project situated near Crew Dormitory 1533. Multi-functioning low impact design (LID) measures have decreased heat island sinks, increased native habitat, increased carbon sequestration, increased water quality to adjacent surface and groundwater, decreased runoff, improved soil permeability, increased interstitial flows, increased base flows to adjacent Chorro Creek and decreased reliance on drinking waters while providing an educational demonstration site.

21 acre expansion

In 2012-2013, Watershed Progressive expanded upon the one acre pilot project with a 21 acre planning project for the same site. Wastewater re-use as well as the low impact design best management practices employed around Crew Dormitory 1533 were included in the plan.

Even through record drought, preliminary monitoring data shows better than targeted results across the project site, namely in the sequestration of salts within the phytoremediation inclusion basins.