What's New in the Watershed?

July 2010

INVASIVE WEED WORK FUNDED

BY NEW TWO-YEAR GRANT

It is estimated that yellow starthistle has invaded

20% of the state of California. A watershed free

of this and other invasive weeds provides a natural

habitat for native plants and animals, and enjoyment

for residents as well as the valued guests who visit our region. Read more.

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER?

Ask a Mariposa County fifth grade student about

watersheds. Chances are you will learn something!

Fifth grade classes in the Mariposa County Unified

School District are learning how to care for their

watershed. Read more.

YOU SEARCH, GOODSEARCH DONATES

You can now support your watershed just by choosing GoodSearch as your internet search engine. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and choose the Upper Merced River Watershed Council as your charity. Your watershed will benefit with every search. From the GoodSearch page you can also link to GoodShop to find coupons and discounts at more than 1,300 stores. A percentage of every purchase made through GoodShop will also go to the Upper Merced River Watershed Council. How easy is that?

As of mid-July, over $9.00 has been raised through internet searches, at no cost to anyone! Small potatoes, but 100 people performing just two searches per day on Goodsearch.com will earn $730 in a year. Not bad. Purchases through Goodshop.com have earned donations also; over $25.00 so far. Thanks for supporting your watershed!

December 2009

CONSERVATION LANDSCAPING PROJECT COMPLETE!

This project demonstrates Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as erosion control, water conservation and native plant gardening techniques that community members can observe and then implement on their own property. The project was funded by the Sierra Nevada Alliance.

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Mariposa County Fairgrounds allowed us to use their building and space at 5039 Fairgrounds Road as the "model home." Rain gutters and catchment tank have been installed, terraces and retaining walls built, and a dry creekbed and stone steps completed. Approximately 50 native plants are in the ground.

At the entrance to the project you can pick up a free brochure that explains the features of this project and provides sources of detailed information about how to create your own conservation garden. Visit any time. You can also view the brochure online. Watch for information on a workshop in the spring where you can design your own home landscape based on the concepts demonstrated at the project.

Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board. The contents of this brochure do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the State Water Resources Control Board, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Mariposa County Resource Conservation District acknowledges the Sierra Nevada Alliance for funding and support of this project. For more information on the Alliance, visit www.sierranevadaalliance.org.

GREEN SHOPPING

Here are three websites where you can shop for "green" products for your home and designate the Upper Merced River Watershed Council as recipient of a percentage of your purchase amount.

www.letsgogreen.biz

www.ecolabelfundraising.com

www.greenraising.com

Thank you for shopping green to benefit your Upper Merced River Watershed!

GREEN CLEANING

Use common household supplies for green cleaning alternatives.

Upper Merced River Watershed Council

Our river, our land, our future