RCD Sponsors Speak-Off Contest!! (Sept. 17th, 2008)
Contra Costa County high school students can win cash prizes by competing in the annual speech contest sponsored by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts. Students prepare a 3-5 minute speech on the topic: "The RCD's Role in Wildfire Recovery and Restoration."

The local winners receive $100, $50 or $30 for 1st- 3rd place. Deadline for Entry: Thurs. Sept. 11th. Winner may compete at the regional and state level for up to $300. Click here for Speech Contest Application.
Click here for contest rules and judging criteria. Contact Mary Grim for more information.

Rodeo Creek Watershed Vision Plan
You can play a valuable role in helping to develop a vision for protecting and improving the Rodeo Creek watershed by participating in this collaborative planning process. This project is led by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District and the Restoration Design Group. Project sponsors include Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Contra Costa County Public Works and the Muir Heritage Land Trust. For details or to attend upcoming meetings, contact Heidi Petty at the RCD for more details at 925- 672-6522 x115 or heidi.petty@ca.nacdnet.net.

RCD Receives Award:
The Mount Diablo Creek Watershed Management Plan was awarded the Contra Costa Watershed Forum's Public Involvement Project of 2007 at the Quadrennial Watershed Symposium on Nov. 15th. This planning process was sponsored and coordinated by the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District. The Plan was developed through an extensive two and a half year public planning process that involved over 30 dedicated organizations, agencies and community members.

The Weed Survey!
Did you know that invasive plants are compromising many habitat areas and negatively affecting agriculture and rangeland in Contra Costa County? One goal of the CCRCD is to raise awareness about the presence of invasive weeds in our county, and to help identify the scope of the weed problem. If you know of weed populations in the county, please tell us at this brief survey link. Click Here to take survey

Erosion Problems? Check out the Stream Bioengineering Handbook available from the Urban Creeks Council (UCC). With the rainy season underway, creekside property can be eroded by high water flows. This UCC handbook gives landowners useful information on how to protect their streambanks from erosion.

Pavon Creeks Sediment Source Assessment
The San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) worked with the Contra Costa RCD, NRCS, and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) during the 2005-2006 wet season to complete an assessment of the Pavon Creeks sub-basin, a tributary to Pinole Creek to determine the causes of erosion in this sub-basin. As the single largest point source of sediment in the watershed, this assessment will allow stakeholders and land managers to make more informed decisions regarding management of this area. The final report is now available online in PDF format at http://www.sfei.org/sfeireports.htm#WS