The Imperial Irrigation District, the City of Calexico, and a coalition of state and local partners invite community members to take part in a Community Action Day on Saturday, November 1, to help enhance the New River wetlands.

Participants are needed to plant hundreds of native trees and provide revegetation, which will improve water quality and mitigate erosion by adding about 1,600 iodine bush and mesquite trees along the New River Improvement Project.

“We’re asking volunteers to be part of this great community event for this special Community Action Day,” said IID Board Member Lewis Pacheco. “This wetland area is a very important part of the local ecosystem, and there are many benefits to this planting project. We’re excited to be part of the team that is bringing this educational volunteer opportunity to our community.”

Volunteers will learn the recommended regional practices for improving water quality and mitigating erosion. This service project will include using hand tools to move dirt around pre-dug holes to plant the trees.

The New River Improvement Project, which is managed by the City of Calexico, highlights the collaborative effort between local and state partners to create a cleaner river, a vibrant wetland, healthier fauna, and an overall healthier population within our communities.

“We are so appreciative that, together with our partners and our generous volunteers, we’ll be making a real difference at this important wetland area,” said Diana Nuricumbo, Mayor for the City of Calexico. “So, come out and join us. It’s a great opportunity where we will have fun while taking pride in our community."

The Saturday, November 1, Community Action Day will be held along Animal Shelter Drive in Calexico with check-in at 7:30 a.m. Volunteers will be provided refreshments and a free lunch, so advanced sign-ups are helpful.

To sign up and for directions, please visit Community Action Day.

This opportunity is supported through partnerships that include IID, the City of Calexico, the City of Imperial, Keep California Beautiful, Keep America Beautiful, Barrett Biological Enterprises, Inc., JAA Environmental, and the California Climate Action Corps, a program of California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.

During the Community Action Day held in May at the Shank Alamo Wetland east of Brawley, a team of about 80 volunteers helped plant upwards of 800 native plants to improve water quality and enhance overall conditions at the wetlands.