“I’ve been able to connect everything that we’ve done inside the CCC so far into this one big, beautiful picture. … The things I’m doing right now have purpose.”
Demi Young
CCC Los Padres Center
The drive down Sonoma Avenue on the grounds of Camp San Luis Obispo looks a bit different these days. Gone are the barren slopes between roadway and buildings. Instead, CCC Corpsmembers have created colorful bioswales to keep the Morro Bay watershed from getting clogged with sediment. It might sound complicated, but all it really takes is some teamwork and plenty of native plants!
“A bioswale is an area that’s supposed to have a lot of water and plants to slow things down,” said Los Padres Corpsmember Demi Young. “So, when the rains come, all the sediment and water – instead of washing straight into the bay – the plants will absorb all that. The nutrients and sediment will stay here instead.”
This project is designed to collect and filter water runoff and improve habitat for local wildlife by providing a food source, cover, and nesting opportunities for animals. It’s a win-win solution that conserves the nearby estuary, helps wildlife, and advances the careers of young-adults in the CCC.
Nurturing Native Plants
Corpsmember Natalie McLean helps clear away invasive plants and protect native ones with mulch at Camp San Luis Obispo.
“I’m trying to become an environmental scientist. So, I was trying to get more into conservation and get my hands on everything… I feel a lot more aligned with what I want to do,” said Corpsmember Natalie McLean. “I appreciate working in labs and collecting data but it’s something special to put your hands in the dirt and contribute that way.”
The small CCC fisheries crew has completed multiple bioswales, are in progress on others, and prepared to add even more. In partnership with Cal Guard and Camp San Luis Obispo, Corpsmembers propagated and planted native species across the site, including white sage, narrowleaf milkweed, and western redbud.
Now they’re maintaining the area to ensure bioswale is off to a good start. Once the plants mature, it will become a low-maintenance, nature-based, stormwater solution that will support the area for decades to come.
“We’re putting mulch around the plant itself,” said Natalie. “We want to retain moisture but don’t want it too close to the base of the plant just because it can rot the plants.”
Moving Mulch
A Corpsmember loads up a pick-up truck with mulch. Mulch helps maintain moisture for native plants during dry spells and, when it breaks down, provides nutrients to the soil.
This direct hands-on care for plants, along with the larger scale benefits of the entire project, gives Corpsmembers unique insight into how they can make a positive impact on the environment.
“For me, it feels like I’m playing my part,” said Demi. “In this day and age, it’s really nice for people to help however we can, to just build a connection back with the environment.”
For young adults ages 18-25, and veterans up to age 29, visit CCC’s Locations and Training webpages to see how you can also get paid to train and launch a meaningful career.
Building Bioswales
