fitz wetlands educational resource center

Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center

A partnership of Watsonville Wetlands Watch, the City of

Watsonville, and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

Your Gateway to the Wetlands!

West Branch Struve Slough Ecological Reserve,Owned by the California Department Of Fish and Game, cooperatively managed by Watsonville Wetlands Watch

A 120 acre Wetland Reserve, located across the street from PV High

Please sign-up and schedule field trips on the calendar at the WERC, orContact Jonathan Pilch, Restoration Specialist x 1151 or 728-4106

What is the WERC?Mission: To inspire education and

conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro Valley

Partners: Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, and the City of Watsonville

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

What is the WERC?Facilities: Classroom with wet lab and

computer lab; resource library; visitor center; covered outdoor classroom; greenhouse and native plant demonstration garden (in process)

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

Who does the WERC serve?Teachers

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

Who does the WERC serve?Students

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

Who does the WERC serve?Community

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesGeneral Rules – to be followed at all times,

common sense, PVUSD policies• Do not deface property or litter.• No smoking or alcohol• Food or drink with permission only, no gum• No balls or sports equipment to be thrown

against building

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesBuilding Hours & Contact Info• Public open hours are M & W, 12:00 – 4:30• Generally, a staff person will be available M-

F 8:30 – 5:00. Many times we are doing field work, working on grants, or at off-site meetings, so please call before coming by.

• Noëlle x1156 Jonathan x1151• PVHS e-mail: WERC@pvusd.net

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesStaff Time Policy & Scheduling• WWW staff hours are limited• WERC full-time staff is available to PVHS

teachers 4 hours per week (per staff person) on a first come, first served basis.

• Teachers should fill out a request form when they wish to bring a class

• Sign up 2-3 weeks IN ADVANCE whenever possible.

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesUse of Facility by School Groups• WERC is a PVUSD resource, therefore all

PVUSD school groups have equal priority for use of the WERC classroom

• Sign up EARLY whenever you can!• Students must be supervised at all times

by trained teachers, staff, or volunteers.

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesBuilding Keys Policy• Bathrooms are to remain locked at all times,

with keys available at the WERC office. Teachers may request that restrooms be unlocked for a specific class while using the WERC.

• Keys to storage cabinets, DFG gate, microscope cabinet, etc. administered by WWW staff

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesUse of Resource Library• Books not to be checked out, but copies can

be made in classroom.• Please limit copies to 20 pages at a time, or

borrow books to make copies in PVHS teacher lounge.

• Note: WWW is a non-profit, grassroots, community funded organization w/ limited resources

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesUse of Equipment• Projector available for use at WERC only• Digital cameras, binoculars, field guides, and water

quality testing supplies are available for teacher checkout. YOU MUST SIGN THEM IN AND OUT, Including equipment ID, in the Equipment Checkout Binder in the WERC office.

• Return equip. by 5:00 p.m. on the following weekday, except with permission from WERC office staff.

• Sign waiver to check out equipment worth over $100.• For microscopes and computer use, teachers shall

complete an orientation on proper equipment usage.

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

WERC Building PoliciesUse of Computer Lab• Computers available for use by teacher-led classes• Individuals using computers must complete an

orientation on proper use of the equipment and software, or receive permission from the WERC Coordinator.

• No personal files on WERC classroom computers.• No alterations made to existing files except as part of a

class assignment or research project. • Blank, rewritable CDs shall be made available for saving

files, limit one per class. Teachers may request them at the WERC office.

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

Free time to explore WERC

Activities:

• Online Library Demo• Visitor Center Scavenger Hunt• Birding Software• Spotting Scope & Binoculars

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”

How to Search WERC Library Online

Note: you must be on a PVUSD computer

• Go to http://pvhs.pvusd.net• Click on “Library”• Click on “WERC”• Enter keywords

“Inspiring research and conservation of the wetlands and watershed of the Pajaro

Valley”