The babbles and burbles of water flowing in the creeks and along their beds is normally strong in May. It’s a sound that brings comfort and soothes. However, this year, those babbles have been reduced to trickles. You need to listen closely. A walk along Bear Valley Trail last week reduced me to tears… the sound was melodious and brought me such deep peace and joy. It was as if it was speaking to me… reminding me of how precious life is here on this planet, and in this special park. I stopped at the bridge to listen. As I watched the creek meandering downstream, flowing over the pebbles and branches, I watched several sparrows stop and take a drink. These streams and creeks in our watershed support life for a myriad of beings. |
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Voices of Seashore Conservation Stewards
Securing a prosperous future for humanity requires that all beings have ready access to clean and plentiful water, fresh food and air, open spaces, a stable climate, and a rich array of biodiversity. I am grateful to work for an organization that prioritizes these things. I am also deeply grateful for the NPS staff who work tirelessly, over the course of many years, to study and monitor the threatened and endangered species in this park. The work they do day in and day out leads to years worth of critical data that tells a bigger story of conservation and what is happening in these ecosystems. They do it because they love this planet and all creatures. These folks are my heroes and today we’re putting them on the map, along with the species they serve and protect. Included in today’s “Voices at the Seashore” are a myriad of updates on several of these key programs. You’ll also catch glimpses of several of the PRNSA interns who work alongside the park staff to help collect this critical data to prevent species extinction, maintain and restore habitats, and protect biological diversity. Below is an exciting video of a discovery in the field last month.
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Your Support Matters
Ensuring that wildlife and natural systems remain intact requires the active support of all of us, at every level. Your annual, monthly, or Peter Behr Circle membership supports these conservation efforts and keeps these programs alive. Soon, we will share ways you can lend a hand and volunteer. Until then, a simple thing you can do is to let us know why this work matters to you. We will pass it along to the park managers, staff, and our superintendent.
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“Oftentimes, condition and resource assessment work such as our (salmonid) program are overshadowed by high profile and public facing issues in the park. It is helpful for the public to let the superintendents and other park managers know that our work is of value to the public even if most of our work is done behind the scenes.” – Mike Reichmuth |
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Here is a Caring for Endangered Coho Salmon webinar we hosted last year featuring former PRNSA Intern, Carter Perez Adamson. This rising conservation leader talks about the work that goes into protecting an endangered species, and the significance of fish conservation and health in Point Reyes National Seashore. Tip: this is a great webinar for the entire family! It is perfect to watch this weekend in honor of International Day for Biological Diversity or Endangered Species Day.
This month, your membership gift or donation is doubled up to $20,000. In addition, any gift or donation this month will allow you to gift a friend, colleague or family member a membership - bring a friend to a full moon hike (see below)! We all want these species to be around for the next generation to appreciate and enjoy. Thank you for caring.
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Heather Clapp
Director of Development and Community Engagement
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May Is Membership Month!
New and increased gifts up to $20,000 matched this month
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A membership gift, of any level, will support the continuation of our community building programs, environmental education, and conservation in the park. It will also help us share the park and all its stories with a broader community. Here is what you will receive in return:
- 15% discount on merchandise at our stores (Bear Valley store opening soon!)
- Member discounts for our Field Institute classes
- Subscription to our e-newsletter
- A warm feeling of belonging to a strong community of public lands advocates
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In the Field with the Spotted Owl Team |
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In early April, I spent a morning with a film crew following Taylor Ellis, NPS Wildlife Technician (and former PRNSA intern) and Caroline Provost, PRNSA Wildlife Intern. Taylor told us he wasn’t hopeful that we’d actually find an elusive spotted owl as, “They really don’t want us to find them and they are sensitive to noise.” We spent over one hour capturing footage of both Taylor and Caroline using their own vocal cords and sound recordings to try to locate a spotted owl. We were preparing to call it a day, and we asked Caroline to play the audio recording one more time, directed toward our microphone, so we could capture the sound for our files. To our great surprise, as soon as Caroline did this, we heard an owl call back! It was so exciting! |
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Point Reyes National Seashore is an incredibly diverse park and is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It encompasses 33,000 acres of wilderness, 80 miles of unspoiled coastline, unique habitats (including a Marine Protected Area), 490 bird species, 108 fish species, 23 reptile and amphibian species and 75 mammal species, plus thousands of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. It is an incredible place and the diversity of life, habitats, its cultural history and unique geography remind us how intricately we are all connected to each other and this land. |
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Bear Valley Updates:
- Bear Valley Visitor Center is now open daily from 10am - 3pm.
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Bear Valley trail and several connecting trails are now open. See the current map of this area that details trails that are open and those that remain closed.
Park-Wide Updates:
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The NPS App is available for download in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
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Full Moon Monthly Membership Hikes |
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Welcome to Summer in Point Reyes, where it feel like the sun never sets. Our full moon hikes for PRNSA members are now our "Dusk" series. We will be spending a little more time in the light, but always end in the dark, allowing you to get back home not too late. All members are allowed up to two guests (guests can be non-members). All ages are welcome. Not a member? Become one today for as little as $10 a month! Click Here to become a member and support our park! Click Here for more information and to register.
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Locations and Start Times:
MAY: Bear Valley Trail, 7 PM
JUNE: Morgan Horse Ranch, 7 PM
JULY: Bolinas Ridge, 7 PM
AUGUST: TBD 6:30 PM
SEPTEMBER: TBD 6PM
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Saturday, June 5, 2021 - 7:00am to 10:00am
Advance your photographic skills capturing the beauty of plants in Point Reyes!
Designed for those who wish to advance their photographic skills, this field workshop is an introduction to botanical photography, with an emphasis on composition, lighting and exposure.
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Saturday, June 5, 2021 - 10:30am to 4:30pm
Experiment with writing forms, learn from listening, and hone a deep attention to the natural world as you write in the wild!
Participants will follow prompts for writing short pieces of prose and/or poetry and share new work—a practice of deepening our understanding of what writing can do, how our voices matter, and how writing can sharpen our attention to the world around us.
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Sunday, June 6, 2021 - 9:30am to 3:00pm
Join naturalist David Wimpfheimer for a wonderful five-mile loop hike near the coast.
The Muddy Hollow and Coastal trails make for a diverse route including some beach walking along Drakes Bay.
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Saturday, June 12, 2021 - 10:00am to 3:00pm
Find Patterns in Nature
The theme "finding Patterns in Nature" will guide learners through various prompts and exercises, while inspiring a daily journaling practice. Students will learn how to use a box-and-line note pad to document observations and practice fundamental journaling skills.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
Meet the arboreal residents that call Point Reyes home.
Whether you know them by sight or all you see is "green,” come learn to identify species along with their stories and how they interact with the ecosystem at large. No prior knowledge necessary for this gentle hike.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
Find your vision by discovering tips and techniques to create beautiful photos at Point Reyes!
Bring out your camera and your creativity. Explore techniques and tips to create wonderful photos.
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Saturday, June 26, 2021 - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Through observation, poetry and sketching, we'll explore Bear Valley creek, probing relationships between streams and their surroundings.
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Sunday, June 27, 2021 - 10:30am to 1:30pm
Forest bathing is a guided nature meditation, a slow meander in the forest. Slow down and experience the natural world through your senses.
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Sunday, June 27, 2021 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
The smartphone has become the camera of choice for many. Learn how new apps can unlock your full potential to take breathtaking photos!
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2021 Marine and Estuarine Grant Opportunities at Point Reyes National Seashore & Tomales Bay |
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We are pleased to offer two grant competitions this year to encourage partnerships with the research community, and support National Park Service and Tomales Bay Watershed Council's work to support the health of marine ecosystems.
The Neubacher Fund for Marine Science at Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) accepts requests of up to $3,000 for marine research conducted in the immediate vicinity of PRNS and Tomales Bay (Between Bolinas and Tomales Point and up to 5 km from shore). Studies that strive to understand long-term changes and patterns in marine and estuarine ecosystems are encouraged.
The Tomales Bay Watershed Council Science Fund will provide up to $3,000 for a proposal that addresses or advances one of the Watershed Council’s top 4 science priorities which are (1) Understanding human use patterns in Tomales Bay, (2) Sea level rise mitigation, planning and management, (3) Understanding coho salmon habitat use in Tomales Bay, and (4) Long-term monitoring of eelgrass habitats.
Applications are due June 1, 2021
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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. |
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Point Reyes National Seashore | (415) 663-1200 x 310
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