Spend the morning in the Mariposa Preserve cutting and planting Willow branches along a small stream channel for water retention purposes for plants and animals.

Water retention is an important aspect of preparing for Climate Change and enhancing an area's ability to be healthy and resilient. This project is designed to increase roughness in a small stream in the Mariposa Preserve so that it is less channelized. The current channel was formed by an intensive history of livestock trampling and grazing and is not good for the adjacent floodplain because the water flows quickly through the system instead of spreading out and nurturing the area's ecology. What to expect: Along the small stream we will add roughness to the channel via two methods. First we will cut willows in the area and plant the cuttings in strategic sections of the channel. And second, we will use adjacent rocks to form small dams designed to slow the flow and spread it out. The great thing about this project is the willows eventually form living mini-dams and the water stays in the system longer providing sustenance to the plants and animals of the floodplain.