Pictured is SC River Conservancy President Ron Merkord, along with board member Heather Miranda, speaking at last week’s Fillmore City Council. Photo credit Angel Esquivel. Also pictured is a wildlife viewing platform near the Santa Clara River.

Santa Clara River Conservancy President Ron Merkord President, along with board member Heather Miranda, spoke at last week’s Fillmore City Council meeting emphasizing awareness of habitat restoration and preserving the water supply along the Santa Clara River. The conservancy has already restored over 800 acres of riparian habitat. Their flagship project is the Cienega Springs Ecological Reserve on property just behind the Fillmore Fish Hatchery, which is owned by CDFW. This reserve consists of 234 acres of once degraded habitat, some of which was once a watercress farm, and much of which was covered in Arundo donax and tamarisk. This 4-year restoration project is now almost complete, with over 60,000 native plants put in. This project also features public access trails down to the river, with wildlife viewing platforms and rest areas along the ADA accessible trails.