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East Bay Watershed Center
at Merritt College

www.ecomerritt.org

Organization Type:
School/University Funded organization

Mission:
The East Bay Watershed Center at Merritt College is a resource center serving the creek and watershed community of the East Bay. The main service area of the Center covers the watersheds from Richmond to San Leandro.

Contact:
Robin Freeman, Director
East Bay Watershed Center at Merritt College
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619
Phone: (510) 434-3840
Fax: (510) 434-3841
ecomerritt@peralta.edu

Geographical Focus:
Local, Regional

Counties Served:
Alameda, Contra Costa

Activities:
Research, Education, Tourism, Restoration, Water Monitoring, Community Assistance/Capacity-Building

Topic:
Bay & Estuary Habitats, Boating, Coastal Access, Cultural History, Energy, Environmental Justice, Habitat Restoration, Water Quality/Storm Water Runoff, Watersheds/Hydrology, Wetlands, Wildlife

Educational Resources:
Curriculum, Outreach Programs, On-Site Programs, Field Trips, Nature Trails, Publications, Exhibits/Displays, Library/Lending Materials, Classes & Workshops on watershed-related topics

Speaker/Lecture Series:
The East Bay Watershed Center coordinates a bimonthly Forum with different topics. Some Forum meetings have relevant speakers. For more information, contact us at ecomerritt@peralta.edu.

Education Programs:
Some of the classes available are: Introduction to Watershed Assessment, Wetlands Restoration, Restoration Landscaping, Restoration & Monitoring of Watercourses, Wildlife Gardening, Urban Ecology, Environmental Careers, Green Building & Ecological Design, Bird Identification by Ear, Natural History of the Redwood Forest, Principles of Ecology, and Environmental Geology.
Other classes or workshops may be offered on the following topics: data quality management and water quality monitoring, greywater use, Yosemite winter ecology, and more.

Target Audiences:
10th-12th Grades, Adult, Non-Formal Educators, General Public

Group Size Accommodated:
Up to 60

Volunteer Opportunities

  Program:
Ecological Restoration/Agroecology Volunteer
  Description:
Create and manage an edible landscape or experiment with permaculture and/or native plant gardening
  When Needed:
Throughout the year
  Qualifications:
Some interest and/or knowledge in native plants, gardening for wildlife, permaculture, bio-intensive agriculture, or urban agriculture. Volunteers are welcome to learn as they go!
  Commitment Required:
Negotiable
  Application/Training:
To apply, call or send an e-mail to ecomerritt@peralta.edu with your area of interest, days and times available for volunteering, and current level of knowledge in this area.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Robin Freeman
(510) 434-3840 or ecomerritt@peralta.edu



 

Program:
Waste Reduction Management & Research Volunteer

  Description:
Research and implement ways in which the Environmental Center can reduce its waste, including greywater systems and composting.
  When Needed:
Throughout the year
  Qualifications:
Some interest and/or knowledge in wastewater reduction, composting including “hot” composting, and other areas of waste reduction is helpful. Volunteers are welcome to learn as they go!
  Commitment Required:
Negotiable
  Application/Training:
To apply, call or send an e-mail to ecomerritt@peralta.edu with your area of interest, days and times available for volunteering, and current level of knowledge in this area.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Robin Freeman
(510) 434-3840 or ecomerritt@peralta.edu



 

Program:
Green Building Technician

  Description:
Help put the finishing touches on the Self-Reliant House and Environmental Center, home of the East Bay Watershed Center
  When Needed:
Throughout the year
  Qualifications:
Some interest and/or knowledge in construction, particularly ecologically sustainable materials and techniques, is required. Volunteers should have some rudimentary construction skills, and are welcome to learn as they go!
  Commitment Required:
Negotiable
  Application/Training:
To apply, call or send an e-mail to ecomerritt@peralta.edu with your area of interest, days and times available for volunteering, and current level of knowledge in this area.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Robin Freeman
(510) 434-3840 or ecomerritt@peralta.edu



 

Program:
Social Science/Eco-Infrastructure Research Volunteer

  Description:
Assist East Bay Watershed Center Director Robin Freeman with preliminary research on the social science behind many of the world’s environmental challenges.
  When Needed:
Throughout the year
  Qualifications:
Some interest and/or knowledge in social science research and the environment is helpful.
  Commitment Required:
Negotiable
  Application/Training:
To apply, call or send an e-mail to ecomerritt@peralta.edu with your area of interest, days and times available for volunteering, and current level of knowledge in this area.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Robin Freeman
(510) 434-3840 or ecomerritt@peralta.edu


Internship Opportunities

  Program:
Watershed Stewardship
  Description:
Interns will be matched up with a citizen-based creek organization that has needs appropriate to the intern’s skills, and assist the organization with the guidance of the East Bay Watershed Center
  When Needed:
Throughout the year
  Qualifications:
Some prior class or work experience with one or more of the following: community organizing, organizational development, fundraising, activism, watershed assessment, biological or water quality monitoring, native plants, sustainable development, policy, outreach, administration
  Application:
Contact Robin Freeman at ecomerritt@peralta.edu or (510) 434-3840/434-3841
  Number of Interns:
4
  Housing Provided:
No
  Stipend:
Possibly
  Credit:
Yes



 

Program:
Occupational Work Experience Internship

  Description:
This internship is offered in conjunction with the Ecological Restoration certificate of the Environmental Program at Merritt College. Any paid or unpaid relevant work experience can be used for 1-4 units of academic credit.
  When Needed:
Throughout the year on a semester basis
  Qualifications:
The intern must be enrolled at Merritt College in the Ecological Restoration certificate program.
  Application:
Contact Robin Freeman at ecomerritt@peralta.edu or at (510) 434-3840/(510) 434-3841.
  Number of Interns:
2-6
  Housing Provided:
No
  Stipend:
Possibly
  Credit:
Yes


CD-Rom:
For use on-site
•  Creek Restoration Pre-Design Directory
•  Feasibility Guide for an Intertidal Creek Restoration (in development)
•  East Bay Watershed Center Website Directory (in development)
•  EBWC Directory of Resources (in development)
•  EBWC Directory of Watershed Organizations (in development)

Service Fee:
Charges for Merritt College courses range from $11.50-$74.50. Other services are free.

General Services:
Restrooms

Parking Availability:
Parking is available on the Merritt College campus for a $1.00 fee.

Public Transit Access:
AC Transit line 54M begins at Fruitvale BART station and stops along 35th Ave./Redwood Road on its way up to Merritt College.

Disabled Access:
Limited




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