Volunteers planted 1,000 native plants at the Shank Alamo Wetlands east of Brawley during Community Climate Action Day on Saturday, May 17. According to event organizers, the native species will improve water quality, prevent erosion, and treat drainage water flowing into the Alamo River and eventually the Salton Sea. A coalition of state and national groups supported the event, including the Imperial Irrigation District, Keep California Beautiful, and the California Climate Action Corps. Robert Schettler, public information officer for the IID, said Boy Scouts, high school students, and local families volunteered to help get the plants in the ground. He said the turnout was larger than expected, with nearly 80 volunteers digging holes and planting 800 bulrushes and 200 cattails. The starter plants will grow over time and clean the water as it passes through the channels, Schettler said. “When you provide the Salton Sea with cleaner water, of course it’s better,” he said.