From left: Park Ranger Emily Henderson, Chief Ranger Julie Byerly and Park Ranger
Bonnie Phillips with Mira, the newest horse at the ranch. NPS Photo/Carlo Arreglo
March 10, 2021
Greetings!                

On the heels of winter, March always feels bright, especially following a season that felt particularly long, cold, and dark. March is also Women’s History Month and this week we’re shining a light on the revitalization that is underway at the Point Reyes National Seashore’s Morgan Horse Ranch and the women sparking some love and energy into this wonderful program. Thanks for helping their vision become a reality by making a donation today to support the Morgan Horse Ranch program.
Women Leading the Way
There is a new plan in the works at the Morgan Horse Ranch where three women law enforcement park rangers are leading the charge. There are many jobs in the National Park Service which work directly with visitors and here in Point Reyes National Seashore, when fully staffed, we have 10 law enforcement rangers, and four are women! In 2015, women made up only 37% of the National Park workforce. What’s more, nationwide, in law enforcement positions, only 15% of the employees were female. 
Their job is two-fold: ensure the safety of visitors and staff, and protect natural and cultural resources. Chief Ranger Julie Byerly and Visitor and Resource Protection Division Park Rangers Emily Henderson and Bonnie Phillips are bringing new energy to the Morgan Horse Ranch and managing the ranch together, as a committee.
Morgan Horse Ranch Revitalization
PRNSA has a front row seat to the change as our office is just next door to the Morgan Horse Ranch. The ranch just celebrated its 50th Anniversary and while 2020 was a very difficult year, facing COVID-19 and the Woodward Fire, it became a focal point of positive energy. They were down to three horses, but a generous donation last year has brought them up to four (to include Mira, pictured above), with a revitalization plan in the works to bring on additional horses as a few are reaching retirement age. “I could not be more excited about the energy, passion and renewed parkwide interest in the Morgan Horse Ranch. We are looking forward to providing more visitor services in the months ahead,” said Byerly. PRNSA has so much respect and admiration for Team Morgan Horse Ranch!
Funds Needed 
In honor of these women leaders and to help them realize their vision for the Morgan Horse Ranch, we invite you to make a gift to support this culturally significant program. We need to raise $10,000 this month to help with the purchase of two young horses, four matching saddles, new blankets, and food and operating costs in 2021. See below for videos of the hoof maintenance that must be done every 7 weeks and to learn more about Brelen Parker, a local business owner and farrier who does wonderful work to keep our Morgan neighbors healthy and safe.  
By increasing the number of horses used for engaging visitors, rangers on patrol are more approachable. “These are certainly challenging times in law enforcement and rightfully so. The law enforcement community has a lot of work to do, to gain back public trust," reflected Byerly. As we continue to see an increase in visitation, we can’t think of a better way to spotlight visitor services than by kicking off March with this story of women leadership, inspiration and teamwork to pave the way to a more inclusive and welcoming park. 
With appreciation,
Heather Clapp
Director of Development & Community Engagement
P.S. - Please don't forget to register for tomorrow's Park in Place webinar (more details below). We are excited to introduce you to Craig Kenkel, our new park superintendent. Sign up today! Also, please check out our full listing of spring classes below. There are options for artists, hikers, trackers, poets, and more!
Happy Birthday Honcho!  
Horse Maintenance: Shoes for Honcho, Rose, Elvis, and Mira 
How often do horses need shoes? Local farrier, Brelen Parker, comes to the Morgan Horse Ranch every 7 weeks to maintain their hooves. His job involves working with specialty tools, a red-hot forge, and communicating with the horses to keep them calm. Here are two short videos we took of Brelen working with Honcho to care for his hooves. Here is a nice article if you’d like to learn more about the farrier profession and Brelen’s techniques.   
PARK UPDATES
Weekends continue to be busy. With the persistent nice weather and school spring breaks upon us, parking lots have been filling early at most trailheads. Please come visit us early or late in the day, and week days are always less crowded.

Campsite & Trail Updates
  • Glen Camp is now open. Please keep in mind that it must be accessed from the Palomarin Trail or Five Brooks at this time due to the Woodward Fire closures.
  • All Tomales Bay boat-in campsites are open, as well as Coast and Wildcat campgrounds.
  • All reservations are made on recreation.gov. We hope Sky will reopen soon. Stay tuned.

The Bear Valley trail is likely to be reopened in early summer. What winter rains we get will help the soil effected by the fire compact naturally. If we open that area up too early, soil compaction made by foot and hooves will cause erosion and create more trail damage.

The Drakes Beach parking area has been open for elephant seal viewing Friday through Monday only. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of some of our veteran Winter Wildlife Docents, the parking area is now open Tuesday through Thursday as well (pending staff availability).

Plan Your Visit
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.
Park In Place Webinar
The Superintendent's Hour
Thursday, March 11, 6 – 7pm
How many questions can we squeeze into one hour?
Point Reyes National Seashore has a new Superintendent! Craig Kenkel has a lengthy resume with the National Park Service. Most recently at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, he brings a wealth of knowledge and relevant experience to Point Reyes National Seashore. Join us online March 11 for a special "meet and greet" with Craig and have your questions about him, his plans, and our park answered. This will be a great way to learn more about the future of Point Reyes National Seashore and how you can be a part of it. Sign up for this free webinar today!
Community Partner Event
The Climate Crisis, Butterflies, and You!
Zoom Meeting TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Join the Environmental Action Committee for a special online event to learn about our changing climate, butterflies, and what you can do to help. We are hosting the second installment of our online series, Our Coastal Climate, and will spend the afternoon with insect ecologist and professor Matthew Forister, and environmental journalist and author Mary Ellen Hannibal to learn more about our changing climate and the impacts on butterflies. Register Here.
SPRING CLASSES AND EVENTS
MARCH
Sunday, March 14, 10:30am – 1:30pm
Friday, March 19, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday, March 20, 9am – 4pm
Saturday, March 27, 10am – 12pm
APRIL
Saturday, April 3, 10am – 3pm

Sunday, April 4, 10am – 5pm

Saturday, April 10, 10am – 4pm

Saturday, April 10, 10am – 3:30pm
Friday, April 16, 8:30am – 3:30pm

Saturday, April 17, 10am – 3pm

Saturday, April 17, 10am – 2pm

Sunday, April 18, 9am – 4:30pm

Saturday, April 24, 9am – 4pm

Sunday, April 25, 9am – 3pm

Friday, April 30, 9am – 4pm
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.orgwww.ptreyes.org