Oceans, rivers, streams, ponds, canals, creeks and sloughs. Living not far from a body of water can make a piece of land prime real estate or an ideal town. Musing over why this is so needs a better look.
Growing up in the Central Valley of California, the closest body of water was an irrigation canal, but a short drive towards the Sierra Foot Hills, took us to several lakes; Millerton, Hensley, Pine Flat, Avocado lakes and others. These lakes were held as special for family picnics, celebrations and peaceful swims. Bodies of water were treasures beyond the severe hot weather of the valley. Despite the anticipated car sickness, it felt worth the trouble to visit these glittery lakes. I have distinct memories of struggling to swim in some of these places; they did not keep me noticeably buoyant as a swimming pool. Swimming with a partner near the shore was safest. Gold and copper mica would leave a sheen on our bodies after a good swim—proof of its magical presence.
Later, moving to the Central Coast, this sentiment never left. Bodies of water are important natural phenomena that draws all living things. They are a planetary element that triggers a primordial if not visceral sense of the first organisms.
My friend Arthur lets me into his magical garden. His koi pond with a waterfall is stunning. We stood watching the koi swim with peaceful engagement. The waterfall churned quietly in its own trance-inducing music, white noise, a zone of both audible and visual entrainment. We could be here all day. This moment was the impetus to write about the many ways that water captivates us.
Visiting all the best hiking places, there is usually the reward of a waterfall, stream or pond present. Sloughs will bring birders for excellent observations. If you are fortunate you might enjoy a creek, ocean or pond in your front or backyard. These highly prized natural occurrences, bodies of water, are not cared for as highly as they are coveted. We have a part in learning to tend the wild we claim is exclusive and valuable.
The rise of community environmental events are bringing neighborhoods and naturalists together. If one is a nature lover on social media, it is easy to run across these people-nature bonding events. Bioblitzes are fascinating, created as a method for scientists, naturalists and citizens to gather with the purpose of collecting data at specified locations. Among those that hold bioblitzes are the National Geographic and The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. One can research their calendars for an event coming soon. Volunteering as little as a few times a year is helpful. Check out environteers.org for a collection of opportunities to volunteer, or for an educational experience near you.
There are small and mighty volunteer groups that have taken community leadership into their own hands to help you enjoy the many waterways. If you have read the paper then you might have read about Jane Mio and Barbara Riverwoman, the sentinels of the San Lorenzo River. Jane Mio has put the word out: this weekend volunteers are invited to participate in the Estuary Project, in Santa Cruz, Saturday, October 15, from 9am-11am. Meet on the river path above the Mike Fox Fruit Orchard next to Basketball court, close to Riverside Ave. bridge. There is limited parking available between Fruit Orchard and Basketball court at San Lorenzo Blvd. Bring water, wear closed toe shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. The Estuary Project is made possible thanks to the steady support of the Valley Women’s Club, the Santa Cruz City Parks & Rec. Department, and the Santa Cruz Downtown Streets Team.
It has been decided. No matter where I choose to live, a body of water must grace the landscape nearby. Taking responsibility for its health is the trade. Nos I live along the Umpqua River in Oregon. With this, I must remember that there are places in the world that did not take care of their shorelines, marshes and lakes with disastrous ecological outcomes. Kamilo Beach, of the Hawaiian Island chains, once hit the press as one of the dirtiest beaches ever with volunteers removing 1,400 lbs of plastic debris. But there are other sources of harm besides plastic and this is where we all step in and research the needs of our local natural spaces. More than reading about it, a slight lifestyle change can be the start of great change. Organizing family outings, to include beach and creek clean up, is a great way to instill community standards and responsibility for our immediate environments. We ask for a lot to keep our own comfort, it’s time to reciprocate the opportunity for the well-being of all living things. I hope to see you at some of these clean up events.
By D.Lopez
