September 4, 2020
Friends
Signs give direction, signal danger, and alert about important transitions. Our park is full of signs right now and as we move into the Labor Day weekend please know first and foremost that the park continues to be closed to visitors as the incredible group of local community, county, and National Park Service fire responders work with the visiting Northern Rockies National Incident Management Team to finish containment of the Woodward fire.
An Unforgettable Summer
The transition of seasons also signals change and as we say goodbye to summer, we also say goodbye to park and PRNSA interns. Below you'll find the reflections of two visiting emerging leaders we've so enjoyed getting to know these past several months. We appreciate Ruby and Vanessa's great work during difficult circumstances, and we will miss their unique voices and perspectives on nature and culture.
|
|
Labor Day Love
PRNSA joins the collective park community in sending our heartfelt thanks to each person who has contributed the Woodward fire management effort. I've especially enjoyed learning how the fire crew utilize professionals like meteorologists, biologists, and fire behavior analysts to thoughtfully manage the force of the fire, not just to protect human homes, but also the animals, habitats, and cultural treasures in the park.
Thanks to fire team's careful work, the staff at Point Reyes National Seashore will better be able to study and support the restoration of areas impacted by the fire. We look forward to sharing emerging stories in the coming weeks, months, and years. As we celebrate Labor Day, we salute the work of all those involved in the fire effort and all who care for our Park year round.
Labor Day for PRNSA is also the final phase of our biggest fundraiser of the year. As I’ve said before, Dinner on the Pacific Plate will be different this year, not just because of the pandemic, but because the very area where we usually gather is now a staging spot for the fire team. As we go virtual, we want to share stories of those who love Point Reyes National Seashore. I invite you to lend your voice as we both celebrate and support our beloved park.
Stay safe and thank you again for your encouragement and dedication to both PRNSA and Point Reyes National Seashore.
|
|
Executive Director
Point Reyes National Seashore Association
|
|
We've found that an upside of adversity is increased appreciation of people and places we value. If Point Reyes is on your mind and in your heart we’d love to hear from you. Do you have favorite story or magical moment from your time in the park? Has PRNSA increased your enjoyment of the park or enriched your experiences?
We hope the sharing of stories of Point Reyes will strengthen us as a community at a time when we must remain distant. We are looking for video, photo, and audio submissions to share at our upcoming Dinner on the Pacific Plate to start. We’d be delighted to hear from you, and grateful to be able to share your stories with others in our community.
Submissions are accepted through Monday, September 21.
Click here for submission guidelines.
|
|
Greetings!
My name is Ruby Gonzalez and I was the Point Reyes National Park Latino Heritage Intern this summer. I began my journey in June and it is winding down at the end of this week. My time here has been stormy, but has provided me with the necessary tools to thrive in various environments.
My work here at the park has centered around the importance of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation in our parks, whether in the workforce or as visitors. The National Park’s workforce is 18.5% people of color and I would like to increase that percentage to more accurately reflect our nation’s demographics. That starts with me, as I am currently the only Latina in the Interpretive Division. I hope that changes in the future.
I brought awareness to this issue through social media and organizing an event to engage more of the Hispanic community. My time here was short, but nonetheless fruitful. I plan to continue this work whether in the National Park Service or working with nonprofits with the same goal like PRNSA. With the help of PRNSA I was supported in organizing an event at the park that targeted the Spanish-speaking community and encouraged them to become more familiar with our park.
Additionally I am working with Woodward Fire Incident Managing Team in translating the fire briefings to Spanish to ensure that the Spanish-speaking communities receive this essential information. In my short time I experienced the road to my park housing collapsing, dry thunderstorms, midnight rain storms that shook my whole house, a large fire and two evacuations so to say that my time here has been exciting is an understatement...but I would do it all again!
As I wrap up my internship, I would like to thank my supervisor Carlo Arreglo for supporting me every step of the way and being my mentor. I would also like to thank the rest of the Interpretive Team for always being there to help and guide me with open arms. Lastly, I would like to thank Brandon Barragan from PRNSA for helping me reshape Latino Conservation Week to pilot a successful week. I hope to be back soon and rove these beautiful trail heads once again.
Until next time,
Ruby Gonzalez
Latino Heritage Intern
|
|
Hi everyone,
At the start of my internship here in Point Reyes, I expected to truly only notice the beauty of wildflowers in the springtime. Throughout the months of this unexpected year, the habitat restoration team has been trying our best to put together monthly lists of all the flowers blooming in the park. As the summer months rolled on and access to the park was limited once again, our list of flowering plants began to dwindle.
Although the number of plants in bloom peaked in late spring, plants have never stopped to continue to take turns lighting up Point Reyes with their iridescent petals. All throughout the year, as some species bloom and then wither away with the season's changing environmental conditions, others are just beginning to pop up. As my internship comes to an end, I've learned to admire the beauty of plants' never ending ability to persist, thrive and always come back even when conditions become harsh.
|
|
In August, road sides throughout the peninsula were riddled with yellow lanes of flowering asters. Of the many asters flowering was the small but quaint Leontodon saxatilis. L. saxatilis is commonly called Hawkbits because legend has it that hawks would eat the flowers to improve their ability to see. This seemingly silly legend does bring some truth to Hawkbits and many asters which have edible flowers that are rich in Vitamin C. Although their bitter taste often makes it hard for most people to see past their value at the surface. As the year and this pandemic continues on, I hope you all can continue to channel your inner flowers and bloom no matter how difficult conditions may get. If plants can do it, so can we!
Take care,
Vanessa Macias
Habitat Restoration Intern
|
|
Updates on the Woodward Fire |
|
Point Reyes National Seashore | (415) 663-1200 x 310 | [email protected] | www.ptreyes.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
