Public Programs

Healthy Gardens without Toxic Chemicals

Learn to create a healthy garden ecosystem, and protect yourself, family, pets, as well as the environment. Hands-on activities will introduce you to smart garden planning to minimize problems and identification of some common pests and beneficial insects. You'll explore least-toxic options for dealing with pests and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. Take home handouts with additional information and resources. Space is limited to 35 registrants. Register with the Community Center.

Date and Time: Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Open House Senior Center
Registration Fee: $15 residents / $30 non-residents

Garden Makeover: A Greener Green!

Join an exciting project to revitalize the landscaping at the El Cerrito Community Center, and learn how to make your own yard more drought tolerant in the process. We'll discuss site design, plant selection, soils and watering, then you'll learn great tips and techniques as we sheet mulch and plant beautiful California native and other non-thirsty plants. Take home handouts for reference and additional information, and new inspiration for applying these ideas to your landscape. This project will be a dynamic blend of learning and doing. Space is limited to 30 volunteers. Call the El Cerrito Public Works Maintenance Division at (510) 215-4369 for more information and to register.

Date and Time: Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: El Cerrito Community Center (Front Entrance)
Registration Fee: Free (This is a volunteer work project to plant native landscaping)

Healthy Homes

In this lively workshop, you will explore a variety of less-toxic alternatives to common indoor pesticides and cleaning supplies. Learn to assess household products and make informed choices that can protect human and watershed health through fun, hands-on activities. Take home resources for additional information and your own Green Cleaning Kit! Space is limited to 35 registrants. Register with the Community Center.

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: El Cerrito Community Center (Garden Room)
Registration Fee: $15 Residents / $30 Non-residents

Save the Rain

The Watershed Project loves rain! We believe that rain is a precious resource and should be celebrated as such. Rain plays a crucial role in our water cycle. It falls from the sky, soaks into the ground, and re-fills underground wells throughout the Bay Area. These stores of groundwater meet approximately one third of water demand across California in any given year.

Despite the obvious importance of rainwater to California's viability, we spend a lot of time and energy trying to get rid of it. Increasing numbers of storm drains, paved sidewalks and roads speed up the flow of rainwater once it hits the ground, causing erosion, flooding, and reduced water levels in our underground wells. In response to this growing problem, many organizations and individuals are taking up an ancient water management practice: rainwater harvesting. Check back for future workshops and programs offered by The Watershed Project.

The Watershed Project strongly supports rainwater harvesting programs. For more information about how you can save the rain, check out these links:
Greywater Guerillas
Wildheart Gardens, EcoHeart Landscape Design and Water Assets Rainwater Harvesting Workshops
San Francisco Public Utility Commission Rainwater Harvesting Program
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Stormwater Harvesting Workshop
Rain Garden Design Templates from the Low Impact Development Center
HarvestH2O.com: The Online Rainwater Harvesting Community
Great Rainwater Harvesting Video from the Centre for Science and the Environment

Hope Gardens

Inspired by Barack Obama's campaign for President, the Victory Garden movement, locavore philosophy, and the beauty of the natural world, The Watershed Project has created the Hope Gardens program.

We believed the President when he said that the spirit of hope is powerful and can help us get through tough times. If, as a people, we can unite in the spirit of hope, we will strengthen our communities and ourselves. The Watershed Project is encouraging residents around the Bay to plant a garden in the name of HOPE.

Why a garden? Gardens are a way to grow our own food, restore damaged landscapes and ecosystems, build our homes and communities, and simply enjoy the beauty of nature. We can reconnect to our local watersheds and the environment through a garden. Growing your own fruit, vegetables and herbs can help reduce pressure on the public food supply, avoid negative environmental impacts associated with large scale food production, and save money for your family and community. A blooming garden promotes nourished bodies and optimistic minds.

Anyone can create a Hope Garden. A fruit tree orchard, community vegetable garden, backyard herb garden, and a planter box of flowers are all examples of Hope Gardens. From a fully-staffed urban farm to a single tomato plant in your windowsill, there is a way for every person, regardless of the size of your home or bank account, to join the Hope Garden movement.

Get started today! Print out your very own Hope Garden plant marker to display in your garden.

Send us a photo of your Hope Garden and we will post it on our website!
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