SLO Stewards

Our current contract with the City of San Luis Obispo provides a unique opportunity to educate the community about the importance of open space. The contract allows us to orchestrate trail maintenance workdays and host ECOSLO docent led hikes. The collaborative efforts also manifests in a tri-annual newsletter called “SLO Stewards” that ECOSLO creates on behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo Natural Resources Department. In times of budget cuts, both the County and City have come to rely on ECOSLO staff time and volunteers to support park and trail projects.

To support ECOSLO efforts with the City of SLO become a member or join our mailing list. Or join us at a workday by checking our calendar for upcoming events.

Adopt a Trail or Park

San Luis Obispo County Parks provides over 50 miles of trails for the enjoyment of residents and visitors, with more yet to come. These trails offer a wide array of scenic and recreational opportunities, from the rugged back county of Lopez Lake to the leisurely boardwalk of the Elfin Forest with its sweeping coastal vistas. Thousands of visitors venture out to explore the trails each year, whether on foot, skates, bicycle or horse. Sometimes they leave litter in their wake; sometimes it’s just a little more wear and tear. Sometimes visitors leave nothing behind at all, but Nature leaves her own imprint in the form of a rock slide, a fallen branch across the trail or a tree root breaking through the pavement.

Trails need to be maintained if they are to remain clean and safe. We can pay higher user fees or taxes to have someoneelse do it for us, or we can volunteer some of our own time and do it ourselves. The Adopt-a-Park or Trail program provides an opportunity for the community to invest in our recreation spaces directly. It is a cooperative effort between San Luis Obispo County Parks and Recreation and the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo (ECOSLO) to recruit and train volunteers to assist in the general care and maintenance of County trails. Volunteers also help raise public awareness of how much work is involved in maintaining quality trails and the importance of keeping trails in good condition for safety and aesthetic reasons.

Getting involved is easy, just send an email to ECOSLO at:
programs@ecoslo.org or give us a call (805) 544-1777!

Some current ECOSLO contracts include:

• Ride Nipomo - Adoption of various trails throughout Nipomo
• Matt Guerrero and Family - Adoption of Oceano Community Park
• Cal Poly's Alpha Rho Chi -  Adoption of Bishops Peak Trail littler removal

Community Service Instructions

If you have court ordered fines or hours, apply today to serve your community through ECOSLO!

Note: Local students need not apply or pay a fee. Please call ECOSLO for oppertunities or check our calendar and join us for our weekly workdays.

Coastal Cleanup Day

2012 SLO County CCD Results:

WHAT IS COASTAL CLEANUP DAY?
California Coastal Cleanup Day, is an annual beach and inland waterway cleanup, is the state's largest volunteer event. When combined with the International Coastal Cleanup, organized by Ocean Conservancy and taking place on the same day, California Coastal Cleanup Day becomes part of one of the largest volunteer events in the world. Here in SLO County local orginizations have joined forces to create Coastal and Creek Cleanup day which brings volunteers out to not only clean up our counties coastline but to collect debris from entire watersheds!

WHY ARE WATERSHED CLEANUPS IMPORTANT?
California's coast and waterways have historically been collecting spots for annual accumulations of trash and debris. This debris, if not removed, can be harmful and even fatal to wildlife, which in turn can damage our state's economy, and can even become a human health hazard. Coastal and Creek Cleanup Day is a great way for families, students, service groups, and neighbors to join together, take care of our fragile environment, show community support for our shared natural resources, learn about the impacts of debris, and have fun!

ECOSLO is committed to eliminating the waste created at Coastal and Creek Cleanup Day. 

A big thanks to our 2012 sponsors and volunteer groups!