Department of Applied Environmental Science
Parting the lettuce curtain
The lettuce curtain is a phenomenon in which many residents from Monterey Peninsula and other coastal cities avoid going to the Salinas Valley. This fear and feeling of disconnect worries environmentalist and social change advocates. Everyone in the Monterey Bay Area is connected through water, even if they don't have an ocean view.
The lettuce curtain is a phenomenon in which many residents from Monterey Peninsula and other coastal cities avoid going to the Salinas Valley. This fear and feeling of disconnect worries environmentalist and social change advocates. Everyone in the Monterey Bay Area is connected through water, even if they don't have an ocean view.
Why does it happen?
There is just not one cause, but one very big reason is Salinas has a bad image. While the city does have many serious social justice, economic, and environmental issues, what is often not conveyed on the nightly news are the wonderful people, culture and beautiful parts of the city. There is a lot more to Salinas than crime and lettuce.
How does Habitat Stewardship Project, Monterey Bay fit in?
Habitat Stewardship Project, Monterey Bay (HSPMB) would like to share the inspiring actions of Salinas's youth as they help to make their community a better place.
For over 18 years Salinas residents and student volunteers have helped
HSPMB's goal is to restore habitat and reduce pollution in the Creeks of Salinas. At HSPMB public events, held on Saturdays through out the year, many high school students volunteer to help protect the Monterey Bay by improving the health of the waterways that flow to the bay.
Sunil Patel is a teacher and coach at Alisal High who challenges his students to get community service hours during their freshman year. He inspires and motivates them by example.
Side by side students, and their teachers help to pick up trash at Upper Carr Lake, prune shrubs at Natividad Creek Park, and of course plant native plants! He points out that while students are helping to make the community a better place, they are also getting more out of the experience than a cleaner park to enjoy or knowledge about native plants.
What starts as a way to get community service hours, students find that "this is too much fun to be community service". Students not only discover that it can be fun, but they also take pride in the work they have done, gain appreciation for the world around them, and discover what a group of people can accomplish in one day.
How you can help
Attend the Salinas Earth Day Celebration and other events in Salinas. Serve your watershed community and be inspired by the youth of Salinas.