Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship Program

SLEWS background SLEWS began in 2001 Began in Napa in 2008 with classes from Vintage High and Napa High Promotes a greater understanding of our local ecology through field days of hands-on restoration work and environmental education Fosters a connection to and respect for the environment while teaching leadership and communication skills

How does SLEWS work? Science department heads of Napa County high schools are contacted to find interested teachers Each SLEWS class adopts one restoration project on a farm, ranch or other natural area for the length of the school year Projects are normally NRCS projects so we can easily partner to complete the restoration work Mentors for the specific schools and project sites are recruited from the ag and environmental community to work with the students on field days 3-5 restoration field day dates are set with all involved parties

This year in Napa Napa High School class worked at the Robert Mondavi Vineyard along Doak Creek New Tech High Biology students worked at Scott Creek in Southern Napa

How many students have been involved? students students students

What kind of restoration work do the SLEWS students perform? Planting of Native Trees, Shrubs, and Grasses Planting of plants that attracts beneficial insects Removal of Non-Native Vegetation Erosion control, such as willow wall building Building and installation of bird boxes

What sort of educational activities do students take part in on field days? Fish dissection Geology of Napa Valley presentation Salmon and steelhead life cycle talk Cover crops and Pierce’s disease talk Beneficial insect and pollinators lesson Oaks and oak diseases Environmental/Ag career panel

Accomplishments native trees and shrubs planted 100 grasses planted 12 kestrel boxes built 50,000 sq. feet of stream bank cleared of invasive plant species Mulching, and other maintenance performed

What’s New for ? 3 25 students each = 75 students! field days, instead of 8-10 Partnering with The Land Trust of Napa County to work at the Archer Taylor Preserve and Wantrup Preserve

Thank you for your support!