Vallejo’s Napa River

2025 Citizen Science Project: sampling the Napa River in Vallejo

Vallejo’s Napa River has long been affected by industrial discharges, wastewater outflows, and urban runoff. Our campaign combines rigorous water quality sampling in the Mare Island Strait with a native plant outreach effort to help improve and restore local ecosystems. By linking scientific research with community engagement, we’re working toward a healthier river and more beautiful and resilient neighborhoods in Vallejo.

The Challenge

Napa River Water Quality
Vallejo’s Napa River suffers from a history of pollution—from industrial sources to local wastewater plants. Recent EPA enforcement actions for water pollution highlight an urgent need for action. Our citizen science team will collect water quality data along key points in the Mare Island Strait, allowing us to identify contaminants and guide targeted remediation efforts.

Environmental Justice
Residents in the 94590 and 94589 zip codes have historically faced higher pollution burdens due to discriminatory housing practices and legacy pollution.

Industrial metal structure over a road with brick buildings and a river in the background, clear blue sky above.

Native Plant Outreach

Why Native Plants?
Native plants are not only beautiful, they also benefit our ecosystem in multiple ways. Native plants require less water than non-native plants, and their robust root systems help filter and clean water before it runs off or percolates into the ground. Native plants don't rely on chemical fertilizers, and they provide food and shelter for native pollinators and wildlife. 

Community Empowerment:
We’re providing free native plants to residents in the 94590 and 94589 zip codes, directly addressing local environmental challenges and fostering community resilience.

Educational Outreach:
Our outreach team is committed to educating the community about the benefits of native plants and the vital role they play in ecological restoration. Through active social media campaigns and in-person plant outreach events, we provide resources, guidance, and free native plants to empower local residents to enhance their landscapes and contribute to a healthier Napa River ecosystem.

Protecting the Napa River Through Citizen Science

Our Solution

Our project is dedicated to improving water quality along the Napa River through community-driven efforts. By utilizing grassroots citizen science, we’re taking the first steps toward a cleaner, healthier river. Our team will help collect and test water samples for major pollutants, providing critical data to guide future conservation efforts.

Strategic Fieldwork

The OCE team will conduct water sampling at multiple transects along the Napa River—from the northern entry into Vallejo to critical points along the Mare Island Strait.

  • Community-Led Water Sampling – We’re starting with a grassroots citizen science approach, where our team and volunteers will collect river water and test for major pollutants. This hands-on effort will provide essential data to guide future conservation initiatives.

  • Advanced Techniques – As funding becomes available, we aim to expand our research using state-of-the-art depth-integrated sampling methods and the equal-width increment approach to capture a comprehensive picture of water quality.

Outdoor stall with small potted plants on a table, under a canopy labeled 'Our Children's Earth'; store front with 'Models Hobbies' sign in background.
Map of Napa River sampling transects in Vallejo, CA, with city limits outlined in red and white dashed lines and sampling sites marked with orange labels.

Volunteer: Get involved by joining our community-led native plant distribution events and outreach initiatives or volunteer to join our citizen science effort by helping collect water samples to test for major pollutants. And/or, if you have advice or tips about where we should sample, please let us know! Contact annie@ocefoundation.org

Learn: Follow our social media channels and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about our progress and upcoming events.

Support: Spread the word about our campaign. Tag us on social media and use #vallejowaterfront. Every share and conversation helps amplify our impact.

Donate: Your generous contributions fuel our mission. Donations directly support essential water quality monitoring, advanced field operations, and native plant giveaways.

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Get Involved!

How You Can Help

Your involvement can make a difference! Together, we can transform data into action, improve water quality, and support thriving, resilient neighborhoods.

Native Plants of California

Images courtesy of The Watershed Nursery

Our Partners