My guest today is Deb Kramer, founder and executive director of Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful.

I’ve come to know Deb and her organization over the past couple of years, and I can’t believe it has taken me this long to have her on the podcast! Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, in my opinion, is a model for how to start and grow a conservation organization.

Today you’ll hear about Coyote Creek - a river that traverses open space, agriculture, and urban areas. In the San Jose area it is often overshadowed by more prominent rivers, and as a result, has been under appreciated and under used. Like so many waterways, it faces  pollution, invasive species, and impacts from damming and other management practices. We discuss the specific challenges facing Coyote Creek. I’m sure you have a waterway near where you live with similar challenges.

Naturally, Deb and KCCB are changing this, advocating for the creek and making tangible improvements. As you’ll hear, there is thoughtfulness and purpose behind every decision they’ve made and activity they facilitate - from the organization's name, to their three pronged approach to engaging the public, to partnership development, and embracing fun and enthusiasm throughout. They’ve removed 272 tons of trash and have engaged over 9,000 volunteers, many of whom are regulars.

There are so many useful insights and transferable lessons today that I hope you find useful, whether you are a volunteer, conservation leader, or someone who simply enjoys their local rivers and creeks.

Connect with Deb and KCCB on instagram, facebook, and twitter @coyotecreeksj.

FULL SHOW NOTES

LINKS
Cadillac Desert by Reisner
Garbology by Humes
Podcast with Dr. Merav Vonshak
BeautifySJ
Bioblitz.club
Kelley Park (San Jose)
Mothers Out Front
Our City Forest
Pathways for Wildlife
Paul J. Gonzalez
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
San Jose Conservation Corps
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Valley Water
VolunteerMatch

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Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz Music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com

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