Environmental Partners
 Displays, Art Activities & More!

The Festival of the Arts began in 2009 with a vision to celebrate the beauty of the Salinas River Corridor through the eyes of artists. That spirit continues to flow through the Festival to this day.

While our participating artists interpret and express the beauty of our natural environment, these local organizations seek to preserve and protect if for future generations.

Each organization will interpret their mission through a hands-on art project or provide information about their current efforts.

Environmental Partners' Booths are in Green on the Activity Map.

1. River Vision Exhibit

Art Activity: “In a Word – River Reflections”
Create poetry or thoughts about the river and see how the collected thoughts from the day come together to form a whole.   Each participant is entered in a drawing to win a native plant.   Progress report on status of river enhancement projects accomplished to date and planned for the future. 

Mission:
The City of Paso Robles is committed to creating a thriving Salinas River corridor that enhances important habitat and open spaces, provides recreational and economic opportunities, ties to our heritage, and connects to our future.

2. City’s Watershed and Conservation

Art Activity: "Rain Art"
Come learn how to use a rain barrel to conserve water, and paint your “rain art” onto a barrel that will be raffled off at the end of the day. Take a fun water quiz and win prizes. Meet Sammy Steelhead and take home his coloring materials.

Mission:
The City of Paso Robles promotes water conservation and the proper discharge of water run-off to protect the City’s watershed and preserve its quality for today and the future.

3. Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County

Art Activity: "Bobbing Frogs"
Learn how frogs tie into the river habitat and land conservation. Create a fun frog keepsake using corks and googly eyes as a take home reminder of how frogs are like the "canary in the coalmine" for our special habitats that the Conservancy works to preserve for future generations.

Mission:
Through voluntary and collaborative measures the Land Conservancy of SLO works to permanently protect and enhance lands having scenic, agricultural, biological and cultural values.

4. Upper Salinas -  Las Tablas Resource Conservation District

Art Activity: "Reusable Bag Art"
Reducing our waste stream can start with avoiding use of disposable items that turn into trash and litter of our natural areas.  Learn how to help keep our rivers and open space healthy for plants and animals and take home a reusable bag that you get to decorate. 

Mission:
The US-LT RCD is a non-regulatory special district charged with assisting public agencies and individuals with resource management.

5. Amigos De Anza North County Trail Association

Art Activity: "Sand Painting"
In 1776 Juan Bautista de Anza created the first overland route through California and his trail followed the Salinas River through northern San Luis Obispo County. Enjoy sand painting of historic prints that celebrate his adventures.

Mission:
Amigos de Anza's mission is to educate visitors about the Juan Bautista de Anza trail, protect resources along the route, monitor trail development, mark the trail, solicit funds, and undertake a variety of other activities which support the objectives of the trail.

6. Pacific Wildlife Care

Art Activity:
Kids and adults will both enjoy interactive wildlife demonstrations and discussions in the park, celebrating all the different species that call the Salinas River Corridor their home. Meet the spokesanimals, including hawks, opossums, owls and more.

Mission:
PWC's mission is to rehabilitate and return to their natural habitat, orphaned or injured wildlife, and to educate our community to value and respect wildlife and the environment we share with them.

7. Transition Paso Robles

Art Activity: "Plant Starters"
Your choice of edible or beautiful native to take home. The Food Group of Transition Paso Robles will lead kids through the process of starting a plant of your own as a fun way to get educated about produce and gardening. Adults can learn more about the Sustainable Community Garden at Centennial Park.

Mission:
The goal of Transition Paso Robles is to increase our local self-reliance, moving away from dependence on shrinking supplies of fossil fuels, lower our impact on the environment in response to climate change, and create a joyful, well planned transition to a positive future based on community collaboration.

8. California Native Plant Society

Art Activity until 1:30PM: "Leaf Art"
The California Native Plant Society helps children and adults recognize and memorialize native plant species with this hands-on art technique.

Native Plant Education Talks: Native plant samples provided by Nature’s Touch Nursery & Harvest of Templeton will be the back drop for informational talks by retired Cal Poly Professor David Chipping and Society Members. Learn by seeing the value and use of native plants in local landscaping projects for practical water conservation and beauty. Talks are scheduled at 1:30; 3:00 and 4:30.  

Mission: 
The mission of CNPS is to conserve California native plants and their natural habitats, and increase understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants.

9. Falconer

Falconry is reportedly the oldest sport in history and is now being used as a natural and sustainable pest control method in farming and viticulture. Brad Felger will be on hand with working birds of prey to answer questions about sustainable farming with falconry.

About: Founded in 2002 by Brad Felger, Airstrike provides services and consulting to land fill operations, vineyards, resorts, industrial parks and open air food courts. We have locations servicing Southern California, Central California and Western Idaho with more service areas being added.

Follow the River, Follow the Dream

“Follow the River, Follow the Dream” is a vision conceived by the Paso Robles community for the Salinas River Corridor. The vision includes preservation of river habitat and key vistas, enhanced recreational trail systems and public access, improved educational opportunities to learn of the Salinas River’s habitat and history, a redeveloped urban edge at Paso Robles Street, and new connections to the downtown core.