Although not technically a part of our new message, I have been thinking a lot about the future while teaching our first UC Climate Stewards program this past month. A brand new program developed by the University of California, Climate Stewards is designed to help participants better understand and communicate about climate change to promote community resilience in the face of changing conditions. 

This cohort, among the first in the state to participate in this program, is wrestling with the difficult issues of grief, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future, while at the same time embracing hope as we explore how working collectively can reduce our climate impacts and help us adapt to the changes we are already experiencing. I am so inspired by the passion and commitment of this group. In addition to learning new ways of talking about this difficult issue, they are each working on capstone projects to promote local actions such as installing EV charging stations at apartments, making carbon-wise food choices, and understanding climate impacts on local birds. They are throwing themselves into this work like the future depends on it!

Learning about Ocean Acidification with Gary Fleener of Hog Island Oysters. ©PRNSA

Practicing Climate Conversations on the Bayview Trail ©PRNSA

Create greater food security for your family and community by growing your own food. Our changing world and climate call for us to produce and share more of our own food and lower our carbon footprint. If you live in West Marin, West Marin Climate Action is a wonderful community organization nurturing collaborative actions towards local food resilience. Here is an inspirational video of a local family who produces 60% of their own food year-round using a rainwater catchment system for summer irrigation, winter cover cropping, and food storage for a variety of fruits, legumes, and vegetables.

Some areas of the park continue to be closed due to COVID-19 and the Woodward Fire. Visit the park's website or social media for up to date information the day of your visit.

Follow these guidelines for a safe visit.

Elephant Seal Tales

NPS Article Series By Ellen Greenblatt, Point Reyes National Seashore Volunteer

Please note: Disrupting behavioral patterns of seals is prohibited. Please adhere to all elephant seal protection closures, and stay at least 25 feet away from seals outside of the protection closures. Check out these seal viewing tips for more information.

Do you miss traveling? I sure do and one of my favorite spots is the Yucatán region of Mexico. I've skipped the resorts and enjoyed the hospitality of Robin Brown at Layla Guesthouse in Puerto Morelos. Robin's connection to Point Reyes is Peter Behr, his uncle and an environmentalist who supported the establishment of Point Reyes National Seashore. Robin follows in his family's footsteps through his activist and environmental work in Mexico. Robin will be joined by the amazing naturalist and guide, Victor Hugo "Paz" Mariles, as we learn about Mayan culture, cenotes, reefs, wildlife, and jungle habitats. We are thrilled to welcome these guest speakers and hope to bring a little Yucatán natural and cultural world to your home.

Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

Science Stories from Palomarin

RSVP here to join us on Zoom or mark your calendars and join via our livestream on Facebook.

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!