SOUTH COAST WATERSHED RESOURCE CENTER
The Watershed Resource Center (WRC) is a community education center where you can learn about watershed ecology and the importance of protecting our watersheds, creeks, and ocean. Note: Our Public Open Hours are cancelled due to COVID.
Monthly
BEACH CLEANUPS
At Arroyo Burro
2nd Sunday of the Month
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
What Is A Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains to a body of water.
ABOUT WRC
Learn about watershed ecology and the importance of protecting our creeks and ocean at the Watershed Resource Center located at Arroyo Burro Beach.
An eco-friendly building, the WRC features low-toxicity and reclaimed materials. While you’re here, be sure to check out the upcycled floor that was originally an old gymnasium court.
The Watershed Resource Center is usually available for community-based organizations with watershed, coastal, and environmental-related missions to use as a venue for meetings, public forums and events. Due to COVID, the building is not currently available for community group use.
For questions about Beach Cleanups, contact Lydia at (805) 884-0459 or email Lydia.
BEACH CLEAN-UPS
2nd Sundays of the Month
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Arroyo Burro Beach
Show the beach some love! Our socially distanced Beach Cleanups at Arroyo Burro Beach are a wonderful way for families, businesses, and groups to volunteer and to make a direct positive impact on ocean health. Meet in front of the Watershed Resource Center to sign in. Cleanups will be self-guided and can include the beach, the parking lot, or the open spaces surrounding Arroyo Burro.
Everyone over the age of 2 must wear a mask covering their mouth and nose. Explore Ecology staff will follow safety protocols and expect participants to do so as well.
Cleanup volunteers will receive coupons for a free cup of chowder from our friends at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company restaurant.
You are welcome to bring your own clean up supplies or use ours. We’ll have buckets with sanitized handles, plastic bags, and reusable or disposable gloves.
Flows to the Ocean Cleanup info coming soon. Stay tuned! 
THE DIRTY DOZEN
TWELVE POLLUTANTS FOUND MOST FREQUENTLY IN THE OCEAN
WATERSHED MAPS
What Watershed Do You Live In?
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- SB County Watersheds
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- West
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- Central
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- East
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- Santa Ynez River
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- Orcutt
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- Arroyo Burro
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Field trips to the Watershed Resource Center teach children and adults about the value of local watersheds, sources of and solutions to water pollution, and the effects of plastic marine debris.
To find out more about our WRC field trips, available to public and private schools, community groups, and camps, go to Explore Ecology Education.