Photo by Avani Fachon, December 2023 | |
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November 21, 2024
Dear Point Reyes National Seashore ,
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November marks the peak arrival of many tiny orange wonders to coastal California—western monarch butterflies. After emerging from gold-studded chrysalises at their breeding grounds, the butterflies traveled via routes that their ancestors flew generations ago, in the year prior—a great relay race of migration and life. | | |
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Once at the coast—here in Marin County and in over 400 locations from Mendocino to Baja, Mexico—the butterflies return to the same groves where their great-great-great grandparents braved last year’s winter. These aren’t just any old groves; they are carefully selected microclimates, with just the right amount of dappled sunlight, humidity, freshwater, and protection from harsh winter conditions. From one winter generation to the next, these havens have protected the monarchs until their departure in the springtime. | |
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Though they appear delicate, monarchs are a wondrous show of multi-generational resilience, knowledge, and collaboration. As we move forward in a new climate future, we ourselves have much to learn from the butterflies’ great resilience and transformational abilities, and a responsibility to support the monarchs and the lands we all share for many more generations to come.
Community members can join forces to monitor monarchs in Marin, and below, you'll find opportunities to connect with the Seashore. Together, we can build an interspecies web of resilience.
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Avani Fachon
Multimedia Storytelling Coordinator
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P.S. In considering how we can learn from butterflies and their incredible transformations, take a peek at The Butterfly Affect Care Deck from our friends Dr. Beth Osnes, Dr. Sarah Fahmy, and team—a component of The Butterfly Affect performance-based experience. Enjoy! | |
December Full Moon Member Tidepooling | |
We invite you to join us on Saturday, December 14th—one week before the winter solstice—for an afternoon exploration of the intertidal zone which will be exposed due to an extreme low tide. We will learn about the moon's influence on this unique habitat while learning about the flora and fauna who call this reef home! Find more details and register on our event page! | |
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Seasonal Summer Plant Positions | | |
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Want to work in Point Reyes' rugged coastal scrub, tidal wetlands, rolling dunes, and foggy forests? The Point Reyes National Seashore vegetation team will be hiring five summer seasonals next year. Four of the available positions (3x GS-5, 1x GS-6) will work primarily on the Burn Area Rehabilitation (BAR) team, and one position (GS-5) will be a part of the broader Vegetation program. Applications are due by Nov. 26th! | |
We're Hiring: Communications Manager | |
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Interested in designing communications plans, supporting content creation, media relations, social media, website management, and program management?
Apply to be our Communications Manager—applications close on November 29th.
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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
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