February 14, 2021

Happy Valentine's Day to all who love Point Reyes National Seashore. I'm happy to introduce my colleague and friend at the National Park Service, Christine Beekman, our lead education partner. Since we've been all masked up and sheltering in place you may not have met Christine.

Christine and I attended (virtually, of course) last week's annual Public Lands Alliance conference where we gathered with other park partners and their land management colleagues from across the country to think about how we can work together around issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, persevering through the pandemic, and the Great American Outdoors Act. Check out the trailer from our Park In Place webinars we shared with other participants at the conference. We are loving working with our NPS and other conservation partners to help us "Park In Place" during the pandemic and look forward to more collaboration as we move to what's next!

– Donna Faure, Executive Director
Greetings!                

As it is Valentine's Day, today is a good time for me to express my love and gratitude to you, our park supporter! I can hardly believe it has been a year since I arrived at Point Reyes and yes, it was love at first sight. Ok, well, maybe this wasn’t my first time at the Seashore but definitely the first time having the honor of working on the traditional lands of the Coast Miwok at Point Reyes National Seashore!

My love of national parks was not from a childhood filled with visiting majestic landscapes or scouring the halls of historic landmarks but rather, an unexpected post-college journey to the far reaches of southeastern Utah to Arches National Park. This inaugural experience as a Student Conservation Association volunteer let me to my long-lasting love affair with our national parks, and the field of park interpretation.

Interpreting Our Park
And what does it mean to be an Interpreter? Many assume we speak different languages. While some interpreters are fluent in more than one language, interpretation has been defined by the National Association for Interpretation as, "a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource." Park interpreters, including PRNSA employees and volunteers, provide opportunities for visitors to have that “Aha!” moment. Nothing brings us greater joy!
Speaking of joy, park ranger interpreters have been having incredibly positive experiences interacting with Seashore visitors recently. I think most visitors are so darn happy to be healthy and fortunate enough leave the confines of their homes that when they encounter us at either the Bear Valley trailhead, or at Drakes Beach, or the Lighthouse observation deck they overwhelmingly express their gratitude.

Protecting What We Love
And while we are thrilled that so many are able to take advantage of getting to Point Reyes, we also are aware of the potential for the park to be “loved to death”! In 2020, we saw record visitation during the months of July, November and December. To help visitors have a safe visit and to better protect park resources, we produced a Recreate Responsibly video. It has been so popular we are in the process of doing a second one with updated tips. In addition, our newly released NPS park App will also help to get timely, up to date information to park visitors. It is available in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store (‎National Park Service on the App Store (apple.com))! We have been actively encouraging folks to come early in the day and during weekdays to disperse park visitation.

I hope to see you at the park soon. Our visitor centers remain closed for now but we are still out in the park. So on your next visit, if you see one of us out on a trail or beach, please come by and say a socially distanced “hi” – we’d love to meet you!

See you at the Seashore,
Christine Beekman
Chief of Interpretation & Resource Education, NPS
PARK UPDATES
BLACK HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHTS
Every February during Black History Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and partners share stories, rich culture, and an invitation for all Americans to reflect on Black history in parks and communities across the country. More than 400 years of Black history and heritage - including achievements, contributions, and historical journeys - are remembered and commemorated in places preserved for current and future generations.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, pictured c.a. 1915, is universally known as the "Father of Black History."
Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, NMAH, Smithsonian Institution
Point Reyes National Seashore Closures and Seasonal Updates:
Some areas, roads, trails and facilities in Point Reyes National Seashore continue to be closed due to the Woodward Fire, COVID-19, and road work. Visit the park's web site for the most current information.


Annual Closures due to Elephant Seal Activity:
Drakes Beach Closure Alert - To protect the elephant seal pups from disturbance and to keep the public safe, Drakes Beach will be closed starting at the southern edge of the cove in front of the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center and continuing southwest to the end of Drakes Beach. This closure is in effect from December 31 through March 31. Learn more about the elephant seals at Point Reyes here. (Note: dogs and drones are NOT permitted.)
Community Partner Events
Are You Ready to Switch to a Cleaner Ride?
Tuesday, February 23, 7pm

Join West Marin Climate Action to learn more about EV purchasing, ownership and charging. The program will include welcome remarks by Supervisor Dennis Rodoni and presentations by our local partners:
  • Alex Porteshawver from Drawdown:Marin will address public charge stations in West Marin;
  • Annika Osborn from Drive Clean Bay Area (DCBA) will review new EV models, financial incentives, and how to charge at home and on the road.
You’ll also hear from local EV owners about their experiences driving electric and how they use public chargers to ‘fuel’ their ride. Switching to an electric vehicle is an important action! We hope you can join us and bring a friend!
This FREE virtual event will be held via Zoom. Register for this event HERE.
A Distinguished Author Series:
Crooked River Reads
Join us for a new series as we (virtually) host five distinguished authors throughout 2021. Together with Richard Louv, January 26; Winona LaDuke (pictured), March 22; Dr. J. Drew Lanham, May 13; J.R. Harris, August 12; and Angelou Ezeilo, October 6, we’ll explore the crucial impact connecting with nature has on human kind. Embark on a journey of self discovery, hike in someone else’s shoes and explore the world from the comfort of a good book (or a few!).
Tickets: $10/person or $8.50/member For more information or to register click here.
WINTER CLASSES AND UPDATES
Coming Soon...Spring Classes Beginning in March.
Saturday, February 20, 10am – 4pm
Take the mystery and frustration out of getting successful, exciting photos and learn tips to spark your creativity and excitement!
Working through the technical buttons and wheels on your camera can be overwhelming; this class will help take the mystery and frustration out of getting successful, exciting photos. Working through the functions of your camera as well as basic principles of photography will spark your creativity and excitement. Through discussion and demonstrations we will help to demystify some of the challenges in digital photography.
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 | [email protected] | www.ptreyes.org