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If you didn't realize we have a national wildlife refuge here in Santa Cruz County, don't worry: the patch of wetlands known as Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is so sensitive that it's generally closed to the public. Established in 1975 to protect the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, it has since expanded to include three units: the original Ellicott unit, the Calabasas unit (added in 1999) and the Harkins Slough unit (added in 2005). Together these unique habitats offer shelter to endangered species like the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, the tiger salamander, the red-legged frog and the white pelican (designated by California as being of "special concern").
So what does this have to do with you? Well, on Saturday, Sept. 14 you'll get a chance to tour the refuge and find out how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District are working to restore salamander habitat. Pretty cool, no?
Saturday, Sept. 14, 10am-noon. RSVP to the Coastal Watershed Council's Laurie Eagan: legan@coastal-watershed.org She'll give you the d's. These tours fill up fast, so don't delay!
Pictured: The Calabasas Unit of Ellicott Slough NWR. Photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Svc.
