November 19, 2020
Dear Friends,
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The World is Our Classroom |
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It’s education week, but what does that mean now? Many of us are asking that question as teachers, students, and parents struggle to find meaningful learning opportunities outside of traditional school models. Personally, it makes me reflect on how much of our knowledge actually comes from direct experiences and observations of the world around us.
We are all learning all of the time with the world itself as our teacher. To know a tree…touch it, smell it, listen to its leaves in the wind! For kids especially, science, math, art and poetry are happening all around in nature. As we slow down and reframe our thinking, we may realize that many of the lessons we need to learn are right outside our doors: growth, change, connection, interdependence.
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Learning Safely Outside
Recently, I was excited myself to learn alongside our newly graduated cohort of California Naturalists. To meet in person and still be COVID-safe we held our small-group classes outside, kept our distance, always wore masks, and sanitized frequently. It was such a pleasure to be learning together and spending so much time outside. The trail was our textbook!
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Looking Forward
As the Education Department looks ahead for how to safely bring back school groups, I’m heartened that we continue to offer adult classes outdoors through the Field Institute, ensuring that we always follow safety protocols and respond to changes in county health orders. We’re also excited to be launching our new Climate Stewards program, an initiative in partnership with University of California similar to Cal Nat; stay tuned for more information. We’re working hard, inching our way back to restoring learning opportunities in the Park for everyone, for as we know, there’s no better classroom than Point Reyes!
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Biret Adden
Education Director
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Point Reyes National Seashore is now PARTIALLY OPEN.
Hazardous conditions exist. Conditions can change rapidly.
Visitors are reminded to respect trail and road closures. All trails that go into the Woodward Fire burn area remain closed. Keep yourself and park personnel safe by staying out of the closure zone. go.nps.gov/pore/woodwardfire
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Save the Date: December 1, 2020 |
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Happy 150th Birthday, Point Reyes Lighthouse!
Tuesday, December 1, 6 pm – 6:30 pm
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Celebrate 150 years of light at Point Reyes with a virtual birthday bash with the park rangers! Built in 1870 and first lit on December 1 of that year, this beacon was an important signal for the guidance and safety of mariners who traveled up and down the Northern California coastline. The National Park Service has preserved this historic building and original Fresnel lens since 1975, and continues to tell the story of the light to visitors from far and wide today. Join us for a special virtual birthday celebration for our favorite lighthouse, and learn about this coastal treasure.
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Helping Monarch Butterflies in Coastal Communities and Beyond
TODAY: November 19, 6pm - 7pm
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Join us online this evening for an informative presentation about Monarch butterflies' migration and metamorphosis with Mia Monroe, a community science volunteer with The Xerces Society and co-founder of the long-running Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. This event will be offered on Zoom and through our Facebook.
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Down For the Count
Exploring Bird Diversity and Abundance at Point Reyes
Saturday, December 12
9:30am – 3:30pm
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For fifty years the Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been an annual tradition monitoring the winter populations of over two hundred species of birds here. The National Seashore and adjoining areas rank in the top ten of over two thousand counts nationwide in terms of species diversity.
This will be a moderately fast-paced outing with a focus on seeing a lot of birds but allowing time to learn bird identification by sight and sound. Instructor David Wimpfheimer compiled the CBC records for twenty years and will share information on population trends for the birds of Point Reyes. Learn which birds are more common here than in the past and conversely which are less common. This outing will begin at the Bear Valley picnic area.
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Drawing the Colors of Winter
Saturday, December 12, 10am – 12pm
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Autumn is the perfect time to explore colored pencil techniques with all the beauty of the changing leaf colors, seed pods, gourds, and berries. Their unique colors provide the opportunity to practice mixing and layering color. Learn to create rich reds, browns, and purples. We will explore a variety of colored pencil techniques including layering, blending, and burnishing. |
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This class will be held online, via Zoom. We will spend time mixing colors, drawing your leaf or fruit, and coloring with demonstration and time for questions and answers. All drawing levels are welcome. A supply list will be provided.
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Birding by Kayak
Sunday, December 13, 8am – 12pm
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The Giacomini Wetlands have been described as one of the top 10 birding destinations in the world by National Geographic, and winter can be one of the best times for birding in the wetlands. Visiting the wetlands by kayak you will experience the abundance of birdlife it supports and appreciate the value of this beautiful and essential habitat. Register Here
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Local Food Resiliency
West Marin Climate Action Webinar
Thursday, Nov. 19 7pm - 8:15pm
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A free Zoom gathering to share ideas about growing food in our home bioregion.
Can home gardeners help "grow" our community's food resiliency and equity (with enough for everyone)? Bring your ideas! This will be the first in a series of Local Food webinars hosted by West Marin Climate Action. Visit our website to see our Events, and learn more about the nine Climate Action Areas (including Local Food Resiliency) that the West Marin community has prioritized. Register for this event on Eventbrite.
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Youth Voices in Conservation |
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Claudia Buckenmeyer
Tamiscal High School Student
Hi! My name is Claudia Buckenmeyer and I am a senior at Tamiscal enrolled in the Pathways program. Pathways is a one-year program for high school seniors that blends College of Marin coursework with high school core classes as well as an internship component. One of the opportunities available in this program is career exploration by seeking experience in a field of our interest. Growing up on a 15 acre farm just outside of Bolinas, the ocean, and the protection of its inhabitants has a very special place in my heart. I am hoping to eventually work with how the changing climate is affecting our marine ecosystems, and what we can do to prevent further damage. I am very excited to be working with Heather Clapp, Mia Monroe, and everyone on behalf of PRNSA with the monarch butterfly conservation project. I am hopeful that we can all still make a difference! Being part of this local community science project brings me joy.
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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 | development@ptreyes.org | www.ptreyes.org |
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