Students contribute to research at Giacomini Wetlands, July, 2017. Photo by Deirdre Nemmers
December 10, 2020
Dear Friends,
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Education is an endeavor that looks toward the future. Planting seeds of curiosity and opening doors of opportunity, it’s about learning from the past and growing within yourself for a better tomorrow. PRNSA’s education programs are an essential part of creating nature connections and lifelong stewardship through park experiences, but unable to offer youth programs at the moment due to the pandemic, we are working hard to prepare for the future by creating new and updated curriculum and activities for the moment when students are able to return.
Heartened by Your Support!
We are heartened by your faith in education and are grateful to have met our Giving Tuesday match! Two more generous donors have offered an additional $15,000 match to be raised by December 18th to get us closer to our $180,000 year end goal. Please visit our giving page to join in our efforts and support youth programs and conservation. We can’t do it without you! 
New Directions in Education at PRNSA
Creating a grade-level lesson matrix to complement the new state science standards (NGSS), developing new fire ecology curriculum, and providing online resources such as our Nature in Place Home Activities for families and successful Webinar Series (re-watch your favorites in our archives) are all part of our efforts to adapt our programming and respond to the ever-changing needs of students and teachers at this time. In the new year, families can also look forward to our kid-friendly online warm-up for the Great Backyard Bird Count, a national monitoring weekend taking place Feb 12-15. From your own backyard, you can contribute data to this important community science project! By continuing to create online resources while improving our in-person offerings (including COVID-safe delivery), we plan to meet teachers and families where they need us most as we work together to define this educational landscape. 
Climate Stewards Launch
One of our most exciting new directions in education is the upcoming launch of our UC Climate Stewards Program at Point Reyes set to begin on Feb 23, 2021. Developed by the same team that brought us the California Naturalist program, the Climate Stewards certification course will help give you the knowledge and tools you need to support your community’s resilience in the face of a changing climate. Register now to participate in this innovative new program!
Nature Rx
Nature itself is one of the best healers. Even nature images alone are said to reduce stress and promote health. In that spirit, please take a moment and treat yourself to the wonderful video below by Nancy Kelly and Kenji Yamamoto. We hope you find peace in these beautiful and calming images of Point Reyes.
Biret Adden
Education Director
Finding Peace in Point Reyes
This video clip was provided as a gift to PRNSA by filmmakers Nancy Kelly and Kenji Yamamoto. For a longer feature, and if you'd like to learn about the "rebels" who worked to save the land we now know as Point Reyes National Seashore, please visit Nancy and Kenji's Rebels with a Cause website to stream their film or purchase a DVD copy for your own viewing.
PARK UPDATES
Marin County issued a new Stay at Home order effective December 8 in response to the increasing cases of COVID -19 in the region and state. These new restrictions will remain in place until January 4, 2021.

How will these changes affect our park and park visitors?
  • Campgrounds will be closed - this includes Wildcat campground, and all Tomales Bay boat-in sites. Sky, Glen, and Coast campgrounds were already closed due to the Woodward Fire.
  • All other current closures will remain in effect. Please find a link to download a high-resolution PDF version of the park-wide closure map on the NPS website here.
#PARK IN PLACE WEBINARS
Winter Birds of Point Reyes: Abundance and Diversity
TONIGHT!
Thursday, December 10, 6pm – 7pm
Free #Park In Place Webinar Series
Point Reyes National Seashore has a large diversity of birds in the winter. Our mild weather conditions are much more favorable to birds compared to colder interior areas. Over 200 species have been monitored over the past decades, including several that have not been seen anywhere else in the country. Come learn about population trends that have been observed over many years on our seashore, and ask expert David Wimpfheimer your birding questions. Register Now!
Webinar Highlights from 2020
WINTER CLASSES AND UPDATES
Due to the new shelter in place order in Marin County, we have elected to cancel all in-person field classes at this time in support of public health efforts. Although outdoor classes are not strictly forbidden, gathering with people outside of your household, even outdoors, and even with precautions is strongly discouraged. We look forward to seeing you online, or in-person after the new year!
Drawing the Colors of Winter
Saturday, December 12, 10am – 12pm
DRAW WITH US THIS WEEKEND • ALL LEVELS WELCOME!
WE CAN ACCOMMODATE A FEW MORE ATTENDEES • RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
Autumn is the perfect time to explore colored pencil techniques with all the beauty of the changing leaf colors, seed pods, gourds, and berries. Their unique colors provide the opportunity to practice mixing and layering color. Learn to create rich reds, browns, and purples. We will explore a variety of colored pencil techniques including layering, blending, and burnishing. This class will be held online, via Zoom. We will spend time mixing colors, drawing your leaf or fruit, and coloring with demonstration and time for questions and answers. All drawing levels are welcome. A supply list will be provided. Register Here.
Select class title for more information on these and other upcoming classes.
Friday, January 8, 10:30am – 5pm *New Date*
Saturday, January 9, 10am – 2pm
Saturday, January 16, 10:30am – 5pm
Saturday, January 23, 10am – 4pm
Sunday, January 24, 9am – 4pm
A Five-Part Series: Tuesdays, January 26 – February 16, - 7pm – 9pm
Saturday, January 30, 10am – 2pm
Sunday, January 31, 10am – 4:30pm
NEW University of California Extension Certification Program
Help your community find resilience in a changing climate...become a certified Climate Steward!

UC Climate Stewards Program at Point Reyes
February 23 – April 20, Tuesdays, 6:30pm-9pm, online classes
3 Saturdays, 9:30am – 3:30pm, in person at locations in and around Point Reyes
Climate Stewards is an exciting new initiative from the University of California Cooperative Extension in partnership with the Point Reyes National Seashore Association. In this program you will learn more about the science of climate change, how to communicate more effectively about this issue, and how to help your community adapt to climate challenges.
As a Certified Climate Steward you will become part of a statewide network working to promote community and ecosystem resilience for California's future. To learn more about this initiative, visit UCANR's Climate Stewards page. For more information or to register for the certification course, click here.
Give the gift of education to someone you love!
Looking for a holiday gift? Would you like to gift someone with an experience that connects them to the natural world? Field Institute gift certificates are valid for any Field Institute one-day land-based class. All classes occur in and around the Point Reyes
National Seashore. More Info
Thanks to those of you who have joined our High Tide Monthly Supporter program. Your monthly donations help sustain our conservation and environmental education programs, and allow us to bring more faces out to the Seashore. Donate this month and sign up to join our rising tide! Become a High Tide Monthly Supporter today. It is the easiest, and greenest way to show your love for the park!
We partner with the National Park Service to create opportunities for all people to experience, enhance, and preserve Point Reyes National Seashore for present and future generations.
Point Reyes National Seashore | (415) 663-1200 x 310 | development@ptreyes.org | www.ptreyes.org