by Sugnome Madrone
Redwood Community Action Agency

For the past several months, the Watershed Work Group (WWG), a subcommittee of the California Biodiversity Council (CBC), has been meeting to discuss the topic of funding for watershed restoration.

In June, I had the opportunity to attend the most recent session of the WWG in Southern California. Slowly, we can see the development of a statewide watershed network—a very exciting idea that bodes well for future statewide collaborations.

The WWG meeting flowed directly into the CBC Regional Meeting held at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, just north of San Diego. Due to the intense pressures from Southern Californian urban sprawl, most of the habitats for endangered species lies on the military base. Because the base keeps much of its lands undeveloped, these vulnerable species have survived.

While training and bombing exercises can have many impacts, the endangered species have found a home here. In fact, the bombing has created a fire mosaic almost mimicking natural habitat diversity.

The military has made great efforts to protect these species, although new laws no doubt have provided good impetus. They are working to develop a coordinated watershed management plan with their upstream neighbors.

I can see it now. The military of the future will be trained not only in defense of our country, but also in defense of the environment. New recruits will get physical training through "waging war against invasive plants" like Arundo donax and erosion control work as well preventing soil loss and habitat degradation. They will leave the military with peacekeeping skills and environmental awareness that may improve their employability while simultaneously helping to protect biodiversity.

Oh, what a world that would be. Go get ‘em general! Be the first on the block to have the new military—a sustainable peacekeeping and environmental protection force.

Needless to say, my impression of this last CBC meeting was a good one.