Crew member Claire Zechiel removes non-native jubata grass from the Woodward Fire burn zone.

November 19, 2025

Dear Friend,

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is over, and our NPS colleagues are returning to their offices. For those of us at PRNSA who work collaboratively with them on the conservation team, it was a strange six weeks. As Sam mentioned in his newsletter, one silver lining has been seeing our field staff come together to support each other—many colleagues learned new skills to help complete projects they normally wouldn’t work on. 

However, all the creative problem-solving and flexibility in the world couldn’t replace our NPS teammates. As a Biological Science Technician for PRNSA, I work closely with seven NPS staff on the vegetation team—a senior ecologist, a restoration biologist, and five seasonal technicians, all incredible women who make lasting impacts on this land every day. During a shutdown, some work gets postponed and some can get picked up by PRNSA staff, but other opportunities are simply lost. A disappointing aspect of this particular shutdown is that after almost six weeks of being on furlough, our seasonal crew finally returned to the office last Friday only to off-board as their scheduled time with NPS came to an end. 

Collaboration Through Challenges



Despite the unexpectedly short time we had, one thing I’m proud of is how well our team worked together. We made great progress digging out invasive plants, surveying habitats, counting endangered species, and in between all of that, foraging many berries! It has been inspiring to watch our crew grow, learn together, and support each other through a tumultuous year. Much of our work was part of the Burn Area Rehabilitation (BAR) program following the Woodward Fire (2020). This program is dedicated to early detection and removal of invasive plants following the fire, as well as monitoring the native

Crew members Ava Meena and Anna McGuffie hold up a jubata root mass.

Steady Support

Looking back on this season I am also reminded of the quiet behind-the-scenes work that PRNSA often does. Earlier this year, NPS hiring was delayed during HR reorganization, leaving incoming staff in limbo for almost two months. In the face of this uncertainty, PRNSA hired the entire vegetation crew early, supporting them until NPS seasonal hiring caught up a few weeks later. This allowed our crew to onboard together, participate in critical safety trainings, and survey our endangered species in the narrow spring bloom window. Timing is particularly important for staff working with plants, which bloom and seed regardless of administrative schedules—if we miss them, we miss them for the year. This isn’t the type of work that usually gets highlighted, but it’s what PRNSA provides to the park in the background—steadiness in a time of great uncertainty. 

That steadiness has been echoed by PRNSA members, volunteers, and park lovers. As we welcome back our NPS partners and say farewell to our incredible seasonal team—Carly Courtwright, Lindsey Gaul, Ava Meena, Anna McGuffie, and Claire Zechiel—I also extend a warm thank you to our community for the unwavering support you provide. 

In gratitude,

Miriam Golding

Biological Science Technician

Deep in Point Reyes National Seashore’s Philip Burton Wilderness, a team of six women push through a dense thicket of 15-foot tall Ceanothus, their blue hardhats and safety goggles shielding them from a mass of green stems. It’s nearly impossible for the crew to see a few feet ahead or overhead; from a bird’s eye view, they would be concealed within the foliage, along with the creatures who inhabit this wild brush. This land is alive, and it is thriving. The 2025 Point Reyes Vegetation Crew is on a mission: to support the healing of the Woodward Fire burn scar.

Upcoming Programs & Events

Thursday Weeders at

Abbotts Lagoon

Nov 20 & Dec 4, 10am-2pm

Join PRNSA staff and volunteers every other Thursday from 10am-2pm at Abbotts Lagoon to help restore critical coastal dune habitat.

Mushroom Identification

Nov 23, Dec 21, Jan 24, Mar 1 10am-4:30pm

Learn mushroom identification basics and then set out into the nearby woods in search of seasonal fungi.

Winter Birds of

Point Reyes

Sun. Dec 7, 9am-4pm

Abbotts Lagoon & Tomales Bay are important habitats for many waterbirds, raptors and shorebirds. Observe and ID as they overwinter here!

Creative Composition w/ Camera Phone

Sat. Dec 13, 10am-3pm

Unlock the full creative potential of the camera in your pocket! Learn inspiring, practical techniques for better, more compelling photos.

Listening with

Point Reyes

Sat. Jan 10, 2pm-4pm

Join sound recordists for a listening session in which we explore a variety of habitats through audio recordings.

Ecology and Plant Changes Post-Fire

Sat. Jan 31, 9am-3pm

Hike through the dynamic landscape the Woodward Fire transformed in 2020 and explore how the ecosystem is responding.

A Badger Rescue & Rehabilitation

A few weeks ago, an NPS staff member found an injured badger on Pierce Point Road, most likely struck by a vehicle. NPS law enforcement rangers coaxed the badger into a cat carrier and he was brought to WildCare, where staff determined he had a fractured right radius and ulna.

The badger received medical care at Lenity Veterinary Specialists, where he underwent surgery to repair the fracture with a titanium plate. He came out of anesthesia with an appetite, and is being quite feisty post-surgery—a sign he is recovering well! Once fully healed, the badger will be released back at Point Reyes.

Ways to Make a Year-End Gift

As we approach the season of giving, we hope you'll consider supporting PRNSA's conservation, education, and community-building work. There are many ways you can make a difference: