• Friday-Saturday, August 25-26th, 2006 – MERITO Watershed Academy Teacher Training Workshop
• Sunday, May 7, 2006 - MERITO hosted a beach clean-up at Marina State Beach for Faith, Ethics & Vocation interns from Santa Clara University
• Sunday, April 23, 2006 - Dia del Nino/Dia de la tierra celebration at Ramsey Park in Watsonville
• Saturday, April 22, 2006 - MERITO participated in an Earth Day celebration at Natividad Creek in Salinas
• Saturday, March 25, 2006 - MERITO hosted a tidepool day for RISE families at Point Pinos

In partnership with many other regional groups, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's MERITO team participates in and offers a series of special events designed to provide outreach for the Latino community. For more information on these events, please contact MERITO staff.

Sunday, May 8, 2005 - MERITO “Mother's Day Hike” at Elkhorn Slough
MERITO team participates in the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve's Mother's Day Event. The event draws in over 300 people. Festivities include kid's activities involving mother's day cards and protection of the environment, guided slough hikes, music, dancing, and free food all provided by ESNERR, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Watsonville Parks and Community Services and MBNMS. MERITO assists during event planning, provides bilingual hikes and bilingual materials and promotes Latino attendance.
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Sunday, May 1, 2005 - “Tidepool Day” at Point Pinos
This field experience is one in a three part series offered in spring and again in fall through the MERITO program. Our "Kayak Day", "Slough Hike" and "Tidepool Day" are designed to provide an opportunity for adults involved in MERITO Adult Education programs to bring their families out to engage in meaningful experiences with nature. This Spanish bilingual event focuses on natural history and conservation of tidepool ecosystems and wildlife viewing guidelines of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
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Saturday, April 30, 2005 - RISE (Recruitment In Science Education) Family Science Day at California State University Monterey Bay
MERITO participates in the annual California State University Monterey Bay Recruitment in Science Education (RISE) Science Day. The event provides a series of hands-on science lab sessions, information on science careers and preparation for college entrance to RISE students and families. MERITO sessions focus on water quality, urban runoff, sanctuary protection, and marine science careers opportunities.
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Friday, April 29, 2005 - Kids Fest at Alianza Elementary School in Watsonville
MERITO joins Alianza Charter School in Watsonville for their annual Children’s Day celebration. Games, food, activities and informational booths bring together families in the local community to honor over 400 children in the school.
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Sunday, April 24, 2005 - Day of the Child / Earth Day (Día del Niño / Dia de la Tierra) at Ramsay Park in Watsonville
Environmental organizations and agencies such as the MBNMS, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Save Our Shores and others youth health organizations, provide a special "Earth Day" component to the City of Watsonville's annual Día del Niño/Day of the Child celebration. Festivities include kid's activities involving protection of the environment, access to the new Nature Center, music, dancing and free food. This festival brings in over 3,000 children and parents.
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Saturday, April 23, 2005 - Earth Day with Return of the Natives at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas
MERITO participates in the Earth Day celebration at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas. During this event, community members engage in conservation activities and learn about environmental protection. Activities include native plant restoration, a creek clean-up and graffiti removal. The event is coordinated by California State University Monterey Bay's Return of the Natives program.
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Sunday, March 13, 2005 - MERITO “Kayak Day” at Elkhorn Slough
This field experience is one in a three part series offered in spring and again in fall through the MERITO program. Our "Kayak Day", "Slough Hike" and "Tidepool Day" are designed to provide an opportunity for adults involved in MERITO Adult Education programs to bring their families out to engage in meaningful experiences with nature. This Spanish bilingual event focuses on natural history and conservation of the Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary waters.
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Saturday, January 26, 2005 - National Ocean Science Bowl’s Otter Bowl Competition
MERITO participates each year in the annual Otter Bowl competitions co-hosted by the MBNMS and the MATE Center. High school students and teachers participate in this annual marine science regional competition, one of 25 conducted nationally and coordinated by CORE - Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education. Over 50 volunteers support the National Ocean Science Bowl's regional event, and many local businesses provide prizes and in-kind support. This year, Albany High School, recruited under the diversity initiative, came in second to the five-year reigning champions - Mission San Jose.
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Saturday, January 22, 2005 - MERITO Watershed Academy Training (second session)
MERITO hosts a two-part training to prepare teachers/youth leaders implementing the MERITO Watershed Academy afterschool program for the 2004-2005 school year. The Watershed Academy began in fall of 2002 and has now expanded from one pilot program in Watsonville to various programs throughout the Watsonville, Seaside, Marina and Salinas regions. This program provides hands-on, inquiry based watershed and ocean science experiences to 5th-8th grade students that are predominately English language learners. Each year the training provides 20 select teachers/youth leaders with scholarships to help run the program at their site.
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