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June 5, 2025
Dear Point Reyes National Seashore ,
For seven years, I served as Chief Ranger at Point Reyes National Seashore, closing out my 30-year career with the National Park Service at the end of 2024. When I arrived at Point Reyes, the plan for the Morgan Horse Ranch was to allow the remaining horses to live out their lives, but let the program come to an eventual end. However, park leadership was supportive of seeing if we could breathe some life back into the historic program. Through blood, sweat, tears, and mostly a passion and strong belief in the purpose of what we were doing, a small cadre of Rangers managed to not only keep the program going, but grow it to support parkwide operations.
I have always felt the best way to connect with visitors is from horseback. It provides an opportunity for an interaction and serves as an icebreaker, particularly with youth! The most iconic image of a Park Ranger is one on horseback with the flat hat, and although I have hung up my flat hat, PRNSA has made it possible for me to continue working at the Ranch part-time to support and guide this ongoing effort.
Our Collaborative Conservation Crew
I was so excited to be brought back in a new capacity so I could continue contributing to conservation projects and visitor engagement at the Seashore. In collaboration with Park staff from across departments, dedicated volunteers, Youth Conservation Corps members, and of course, our four horses and two visiting mules (thanks Yosemite!), we have accomplished so much in the last six months.
| | New this year, thanks to funding from PRNSA, we’ve been able to coordinate and carry out over a dozen Wilderness packing operations at the Seashore in support of wildlife conservation, invasive species eradication, resource protection, wildfire recovery monitoring, trail safety assessments, and even 200 lbs of trash removal from our beaches. As use of any powered equipment is prohibited in Wilderness areas, this interdivisional work supported by Morgan Horse Ranch animals is vital to the health of Point Reyes ecosystems and the safety of visitors. These efforts are in addition to daily horse care tasks, facility maintenance, and pasture management. | |
MHR animals recently supported the replacement of a Woodward Fire recovery monitoring station. | | The Morgan Horse Ranch operates entirely on donated funds, and the fact the program remains such an active and integral part of the Seashore after 55 years of service is directly due to your participation and contributions. A gift to the Morgan Horse Fund today would allow us to continue the work we are doing by helping us pay for feed, veterinary care, and farrier (horse shoer) bills. It would also help us replace run-down fences and repair our damaged pole barn, which is used for training and provides the horses shelter during major storms. Your support will help us continue and perhaps increase our Wilderness packing operations, and maybe even get our own mule! | | Replacing falling-down fences at the ranch. | | Training to walk through Velella velella. | | |
I still feel the same way I did in my many years with the National Park Service—the best way to connect with visitors is through the horses. Spring weather brings more foot traffic to the Ranch, and it has been great to share more about the horses’ contributions to the Seashore with school groups and families. We’re gearing up to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Morgan Horse Ranch on July 12th and we would love to see you there! Thank you for believing in and being part of our mission.
In gratitude,
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Julie Byerly
Morgan Horse Ranch Coordinator
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Happy Pride! We at PRNSA are proud and enthusiastic supporters, allies, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. A wide array of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and values only makes our work stronger, our park more welcoming, and our future more vibrant. 🌈✨
We’ll be hosting our fourth annual Pride in Our Park walk on Friday, June 20th, and would love for you to join us! This is an opportunity to celebrate queerness in the human and natural worlds, connect with the land, and build community.
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It’s a bad idea to leave a tent partially unzipped at night, but even an experienced hike leader can make mistakes. Sometimes, at the end of a perfect day, an unexpected visitor might find its way in. . . Environmental educator Paul Belz recounts the tale of a memorable night at Coast Camp. Read more here.
Have your own Seashore story to share? We'd love to hear it! Learn more.
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Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Workday
Sat., June 21, 10am-1pm
Join PRNSA and park staff to remove invasive poison hemlock and fennel plants to protect this biodiverse habitat and the species that live there.
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July Full Moon Member Hike
Wed., July 9, 6:30pm-9pm
Join us at the peak of summer to enjoy the long days. We will meander along the Bolinas Ridge Trail, watch the sunset and take in the full moon.
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Morgan Horse Ranch Anniversary
Sat., July 12, 11am-2pm
Join Park Rangers and volunteers in celebrating the 55th Anniversary of the Morgan Horse Ranch! Meet the horses and more.
| | Sponsorships are now available for our 16th annual Party on the Pacific Plate! This year's celebration will take place at Bear Valley on Saturday, September 20—the autumn equinox. Our theme is resilience in community, and we invite you to join us in honoring and supporting this special place and the people who steward and protect it. Please consider supporting this vibrant gathering and PRNSA's vital conservation, education, and community-building work with a sponsorship. | | 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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