Gonzales Scout Builds 10 Owl Boxes to Help Protect Wastewater Pond Berms From Burrowing Rodents

GONZALES, Monterey County — October 27, 2026. A local environmental-service project shows how a volunteer effort can support municipal infrastructure. Gonzales Scout Davis Pisoni of Troop 73 worked with the city to construct and install 10 owl nest boxes at its wastewater treatment facility as part of his Eagle Scout work, according to an October 9 local report.

Why nest boxes near wastewater ponds?

The wastewater property covers approximately 77 acres and contains ponds bounded by earthen berms. Burrowing squirrels and other rodents can create holes that allow water to escape, potentially compromising the integrity of the pond barriers. Encouraging natural predators is one possible component of a broader land and wildlife management strategy.

What should not be assumed

Placing nest boxes does not mean owls have occupied them, that the rodent problem has been eliminated or that the engineering stability of a pond is guaranteed. City engineers and treatment personnel still need to evaluate animal activity, inspect berms and manage public-health and environmental obligations.

The project may offer an accessible example of combining youth service, biodiversity and municipal stewardship, but ecological effectiveness depends on follow-up monitoring rather than a construction photograph.

Source: Salinas Valley Tribune — October 9, 2026 original reporting. Questions about city water and wastewater operations can be directed through municipal public works staff.

Editor’s note: Information is attributed to original local reporting; California58 has not independently visited the wastewater plant or measured owl occupancy.

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