Cove Currents: February News

Dear friends,

None of this was inevitable.

Not the way children now arrive here and learn from tidepools and kelp forests and old cottages and working landscapes. Not the way students who have rarely been welcomed into outdoor classrooms are finding their place in them. Not the way young people are beginning to imagine themselves as scientists, caretakers, historians, and stewards of a coast that will need all of them.

It could have gone another way — many times over.  

It still can.

What makes Crystal Cove what it is today is not a master plan or a straight line of progress. It is a long series of human choices. Quiet ones. Persistent ones. Often invisible ones. People deciding — again and again — that access matters, that learning should be hands-on and real, that belonging is something we build on purpose, not something we assume will happen on its own.

Every student who steps onto this shoreline to learn, every young person who finds confidence in doing real work here, every moment when science becomes something you can touch and see and question — those moments exist because someone chose to help bend the story in a better direction.

You are part of that choice.

Thank you for standing with us in the work of keeping this place open, alive, and meaningful — not just as a beautiful park, but as a place where the next generation can begin to care for the world that will soon be theirs to lead.

With gratitude,

Kate Wheeler

President & CEO

The Cove as a Classroom

Like the steady rhythm of the tides shaping our shoreline, our education programs continue to grow—expanding their reach and deepening their impact across our community. During the 2024–2025 school year, we welcomed 6,617 students to the park through field trips. In the year ahead, we are projected to reach 9,307 student visits across the park and partner sites—a 41% increase in young minds connecting with nature (not including summer camps or internships). This remarkable growth is mirrored in our field trip offerings: from 142 trips last year to an estimated 206 this year—and we are still recruiting—a 45% increase in opportunities for students to learn in the living classroom of the Cove.

Fueling this momentum is the expansion and evolution of our programming. New initiatives like MPA 2, Land to Sea (in partnership with Laguna Ocean Foundation, Laguna Canyon Foundation, and El Sol Academy), and Junior Coastal Dynamics are opening new pathways for hands-on learning. At the same time, a revitalized Coastal Dynamics program and growing awareness of Project Crystal and Project Crystal Code are drawing more schools and students into our educational ecosystem—growing a new generation inspired to explore, understand, and care for our coast.

Pathways to Possibilities

This year marks the third year of our Vocational Internships Education Class, “The Coast Keepers,” in partnership with Laguna Beach High School—an initiative that continues to grow in heart, purpose, and impact. Through this program, students with varying disabilities spend time in the Historic District gaining real, hands-on work experience in a setting that is both supportive and inspiring.

Within the cottages and along the paths of the Cove, these students are building confidence, developing practical skills, and discovering what meaningful work can look and feel like. From assisting with daily tasks to working as a team, each experience helps foster independence, teamwork, and pride in their contributions. Now in its third year, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating inclusive opportunities—ensuring that the Cove is not only a place of natural beauty, but also a place where every student can learn, contribute, and thrive. Read more about this program here!

Welcome to the Nature Reserve of Orange County

You may not know the Nature Reserve of Orange County by name, but if you live locally, you are definitely familiar with these 38,000 acres of permanently protected wildlands that define our region’s landscape. Crystal Cove State park is proud to be part of NROC and its mission of preservation. The Nature Reserve of Orange County was established in 1996, a collaborative effort to save Southern California’s precious remaining native natural spaces. Now it has its very own website! Visit the Nature Reserve of Orange County and get to know the many parks that make up this special place, and the plants and animals that call this land home. 

Learning Comes to Life

Hands-on learning continues to flourish thanks to the generosity of our partners. This season, we were thrilled to receive the donation of a giant kelp model from RockNReefs and Pangea America—an incredible teaching tool that is already making waves in our education programs.

With this larger-than-life kelp model now part of our classroom experience, students can see, touch, and better understand the vital role kelp plays in sustaining marine ecosystems. Moments like these transform abstract concepts into tangible discovery—sparking curiosity and deepening ocean literacy for our future scientists. We extend a heartfelt thank you to RockNReefs and Pangea America for supporting hands-on learning and helping us continue to grow immersive educational opportunities along the Cove.

Volunteer with us!

We are launching our Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Program in Spring 2026, a volunteer-led effort focused on protecting the park’s native landscapes, and we need you! Participants will hike designated backcountry and coastal bluff routes to help identify and map emerging invasive plant populations before they become widespread — playing a direct role in safeguarding Crystal Cove’s ecosystems.

This is a meaningful way to spend time outdoors, build plant knowledge, and serve alongside friends and fellow conservationists. We’re seeking recurring volunteers who are excited to stay engaged in this ongoing stewardship effort. Interested? Complete our Volunteer Interest Form below!

Questions can be directed to our Senior Conservation Manager, Jen Mendez, at jennifer@crystalcove.org.

Planning with Purpose

Protecting Crystal Cove for generations to come.


Crystal Cove is more than a place; it’s a source of discovery, connection, and inspiration for students, families, and visitors every year. Many supporters choose to help ensure its future through legacy giving, a meaningful way to extend their connection to this special coastline.

Planned gifts are often simple additions to a will or beneficiary designation and can be made by anyone who cares about protecting Crystal Cove and expanding opportunities for future generations.

Legacy conversations often begin with simple curiosity. If you’d like to explore what this could look like, Cindy Otto, our Director of Donor Relations, welcomes informal conversations—from a quick phone call to a meeting at the Cove for coffee and conversation. Contact Cindy at cindy@crystalcove.org.

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Dive Into Membership

Being a Crystal Cove Conservancy member means being part of a community that cares deeply for this place. Members enjoy meaningful, behind-the-scenes experiences throughout the park—designed to connect people more closely to Crystal Cove’s landscapes, history, and science.


Your annual membership helps sustain vital education, restoration, and conservation efforts, ensuring Crystal Cove remains protected and accessible for generations to come.


Become an annual member and be part of what’s ahead in 2026.