On Sunday, July 27, the Watsonville Slough Farm played host to an inspiring and educational field trip for the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners, led by the Land Trust’s Conservation Project Manager, Mark Bibbo. The two-hour tour offered participants a firsthand look at one of the region’s most significant ecological restoration projects while fostering new connections between the Land Trust and the Master Gardener community.

A Unique Landscape at the Heart of Four Sloughs

The Watsonville Slough Farm is a unique Land Trust property, spanning 500 acres, and situated at the confluence of four major freshwater sloughs. This rare setting provides a diverse mix of wetland, riparian, grassland, and oak woodland habitats surrounding the extremely productive agricultural land. As attendees traversed the site, Mark shared his extensive knowledge—shaped by years of work in restoration ecology, and botany—bringing to life the complex interplay between these ecosystems. He highlighted ongoing efforts to restore these habitats, while managing sustainable agricultural practices on approximately 250 acres of the ranch and preserve the natural beauty of the land for future generations.

Plans for Public Access and Community Engagement

A key focus of the tour was the Land Trust’s vision for our upcoming project to expand public access to the farm. Visitors learned about the “Community Harvest” initiative, which will feature a new parking area, picnic space, demonstration entryway gardens, and up to five miles of trails through the sloughs, wetlands, and riparian areas. Plans also include boardwalks and wildlife observation platforms. These amenities are designed not only to connect people with nature but also to provide educational opportunities for the broader community about the importance of agriculture in our region.

An exciting component of this project is planned collaboration between the Land Trust and the Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay to develop and steward demonstration gardens at the entrance to the Watsonville Slough Farm. The UC Master Gardener Program, part of the University of California Cooperative Extension, has been sharing research-based horticultural knowledge for over four decades. Locally, the Monterey Bay chapter—serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties—has been active since 1995, training hundreds of volunteers who provide invaluable community education. Their mission aligns with the Land Trust’s conservation goals, making this partnership a natural fit.

Enthusiastic Feedback from Participants

The event was met with enthusiastic praise from attendees. Sue Procter, the Master Gardener who organized the tour, commended Mark’s preparation, noting his engaging presentation, informative exhibits, handouts, refreshments, and willingness to answer questions long after the scheduled end. She also appreciated the opportunity to meet one of the Land Trust’s Trustees, Kathleen Rose, who joined the tour.

As the tour concluded, the sense of shared purpose between the Land Trust and the Master Gardeners was clear. Both groups are committed to stewardship, education, and fostering a deep connection between people and the landscapes they cherish. For the Master Gardeners who attended, the day was not only an enriching learning experience but also a glimpse into a future opportunities for them to development demonstration gardens on Land Trust property.