Sonoma Ecology Center offers new news for NeWTs

Sonoma Valley residents concerned with or interested in water quality are invited to join the Sonoma Ecology Centers’ neighborhood water teams, or NeWTs. There will be four meetings in October at Sonoma Garden Park, held on successive Wednesdays beginning Oct. 4.

“Join us to explore simple everyday ways we can better steward our precious water resources in Sonoma Valley,” said Holland Gistelli, an educator with SEC who is organizing the program. “Rather than just having a lecturer speak at you, in NeWTs we will be having discussions and inspiring one another to try new things that are healthy for our watershed.”

Each meeting has a different theme, staring with the first one on Oct. 4, an introduction to current issues on water issues facing the Valley, including groundwater, drought, stormwater and flooding. Caitlin Cornwall, SEC’s Research Program Manager, will be the guest speaker.

Subsequent meetings will include, on Oct. 11, issues of water conservation with Master Gardener Seth Dolinsky; Oct. 18, water quality issues with Mark Newhouser, SEC Restoration Program Manager; and Oct. 25, a “digging deeper” session to discuss ways to expand positive impact and local resources.

Participants are invited to bring a snack to share personal knowledge and questions. Participants who attend the entire series will be entered into a raffle for a prize package, but all participants will receive local resource guide, water-saving tools, rebates and coupons.

The 90-minute workshops are free, and begin at 6 p.m. at Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 Seventh St. E. Space is limited so registration is requested at brownpapertickets.com/event/3088200.