My Vision for the Richmond Shoreline
A Conversation with Environmental Activist Whitney Dotson
Whitney Dotson was born in the Seaport Housing Project in Richmond, California, just a short stroll down the Bay Trail from the Watershed Project's headquarters on the Richmond Field Station. Whitney was 5 years old when he moved to Parchester Village in North Richmond. Dotson's father, the late Reverend Richard Daniel Dotson, was one of the early settlers in Parchester Village in 1950. Across the tracks from Parchester Village is Breuner Marsh on the North Richmond Shoreline where Whitney played as a child. As an adult, he has worked to restore Breuner Marsh, organized opposition to stop development of the property, and played a key role by encouraging the East Bay Regional Park District to take steps to acquire the marsh. Executive Director of The Watershed Project, Linda Hunter, sat down with Whitney to discuss his vision for the shoreline.
What Once was a Wasteland
Is Now a Thriving Marsh
The Avocet sweeps her rust-red head and neck across the thin film of water, filtering insects and plankton from the mud flat. Nearby her chick is hidden in the bright green pickleweed. This delightful scene is a testament to the successful restoration of West Stege marsh. Scroll back 5 years and you would have seen bulldozers digging deep into the mud, removing soils laden with arsenic, mercury, and more.
What's in Your Watershed?
The Endangered Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse
A local and adorable watershed resident, the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, recently made national headlines when it became the center of a political controversy over the federal stimulus bill that included a $30 million earmark for San Francisco Bay restoration. But the shaky status of this adorable creature makes a strong case for the necessity of watershed restoration in the Bay Area.
Summer Camp for Educators
A Personal Reflection on Watershed Teaching Tools
As summer soaks in and kids start going off to camp, I can't help but want to hop on the bus and join them. The arts and crafts, songs, and endless field games of my childhood call to me. When I began working for The Watershed Project last August, I was delighted to discover that Watershed Teaching Tools provided a great outlet for my camp longings.
