Watsonville Wetlands Nonprofit Receives $300k Grant: Report

WATSONVILLE, CA — Watsonville Wetlands Watch was selected to receive a $300,000 grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported.

According to The Sentinel, the grant money comes from California revenue on cannabis taxes and will help grow the nonprofit's Climate Corps Leadership Institute internship program.

The program is for high school students in Watsonville and gives them experiences, tools and training to join their community as a leader in climate action.

According to The Sentinel, the grant will allow for 60 students to join the climate corps over the next three years, a paid internship program.

The nonprofit has been advocating for wetland issues since 1991. Over the years, thousands of students have learned to be stewards of the land through the organization. Programs clean waterways, improve trails and protect wildlife.

Outside of the internship program, there are multiple programs for students of all ages. Many of them focus on the Watsonville Sloughs, one of the remaining freshwater marshlands left in the state's coastal zone. It stands roughly 800 acres around Watsonville.

- Read the full article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel here.