Photos by Avani Fachon - NMFS Permit No. 21425 and Matt Lau / NPS | | |
April 1, 2025
Dear Point Reyes National Seashore ,
| | Spring has arrived, and as the seasons change, so does our conservation focus. This time of year marks our transition from elephant seal monitoring to tracking the northern spotted owl breeding season. Of course, our work extends beyond these charismatic species, with ongoing wildlife and vegetation projects that preserve and protect the incredible landscapes and rich biodiversity of Point Reyes National Seashore. Thanks to your support, PRNSA continues to lead critical conservation efforts, and I’m excited to share our 2025 priority projects—from safeguarding threatened and endangered species to restoring vital ecosystems. | | This year, we'll be prioritizing these projects: | | |
🌿 Dune Restoration & Invasive Plant Treatments – Controlling invasive species to restore native plant communities along Great Beach and Abbotts Lagoon.
🦆 Black Rail Surveys – Studying threatened black rail populations before and after habitat restoration at Giacomini Wetlands.
🌾 Grassland Restoration Research – Enhancing native seed stock and biodiversity for future restoration.
🦋 Myrtle’s Silverspot Butterfly Study – Understanding how this federally endangered butterfly responds to dune restoration efforts.
🌱 Biological Soil Crust Research – Investigating the role of lichen and moss in stabilizing restored dunes.
Each of these conservation initiatives plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of Point Reyes’ diverse habitats, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for the Seashore. Visit our website to learn more about these projects as well as the ongoing wildlife monitoring, salmonid research, vegetation management, and invasive species detection work that keeps our conservation staff busy year-round.
| | |
Thank you for being a part of our conservation community. Your support makes a real difference.
With gratitude,
| | |
Sam Chiriboga
Associate Director
| | | A Successful Elephant Seal Season! | | |
NPS / PRNSA / Aiko Goldston - NMFS Permit 27424 | | |
Lots of plump, weaned pups and a high survival rate make this year's elephant seal breeding season a great success! The monitoring team counted about 1,080 pups in their last survey, which is higher than the average for the past five years. Most of the adult females are gone and the adult males are on their way out, but the weaned pups will hang out for several more weeks.
Seashore Marine Ecologist Sarah Codde was recently interviewed by KALW, where she shared background on the elephant seal monitoring program at Point Reyes. Listen here!
| | Whale Watching at Point Reyes | | |
This month, gray whales are making their way north to their Alaskan feeding grounds, wrapping up one of the most exhausting migrations of any animal with a round trip of nearly 13,000 miles. During spring migration, most gray whales are within a mile of the shore.
The Point Reyes Lighthouse and Chimney Rock are both great viewpoints for whale watching. Grab your binoculars and look for the gray whale’s distinctive heart-shaped spout, created as it exhales through two blowholes atop its head.
Learn more about whale watching at Point Reyes!
| |
| |
Thursday Weeders
at Abbotts Lagoon
Thurs., April 3, 10am-2pm
Join PRNSA and park staff every other Thursday from 10am-2pm at Abbotts Lagoon to help restore critical coastal dune habitat.
| | |
Wildflower Habitat Restoration
Sat., April 5, 10am-1pm
Join PRNSA staff and volunteers for a day removing invasive mustard and radish to protect habitat for our beautiful native wildflowers.
| | |
Estate Planning Workshop
Sat., April 5, 10am-11:30am
Join Wills for West Marin and local estate attorney Margaret Farley at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center for this free workshop!
| | |
April Full Moon
Member Hike
Sat., April 12, 6pm-9pm
Join us at Abbotts Lagoon as we enjoy all that the Seashore has to offer this time of year: wildflowers, new growth, birdsong, and more.
| | |
Discovering the
Joys of Birding
Sat., April 19, 9am-3:30pm
Spring is a great time for many birds at Point Reyes. This class will cover the basics of field identification in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
| | |
Wildflowers & Elephant Seals
Sat., April 19, 9am-1pm
Treat your senses with a day exploring and learning about the blooms along the bluffs of Point Reyes. On the way, stop at Elephant Seal Overlook.
| | Wildflower Season is Here! | | | | |
Park Ranger Doug Hee will be leading a series of wildflower walks this spring, and you're invited to join! Groups will walk the Chimney Rock Trail, approximately two miles roundtrip, observing flower details and discussing biological diversity and native vs. non-native plants. Hand lenses will be provided.
Walks will be held 11am-2pm on April 4, April 17, and April 23. Email doug_hee@nps.gov to RSVP with the date you're interested in attending.
| | This week, our partners Oakland Goes Outdoors shared a lovely collection of photos of students and group leaders exploring and learning at Point Reyes, highlighting how important outdoor education programs are for youth: "Point Reyes National Seashore isn’t just a breathtaking coastal escape—it’s a vital coastal classroom, a place of healing, and a hub for deep connection with nature." | | We love seeing photos and videos from your time at the Seashore! Tag @pointreyes_prnsa on Instagram for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter. | | 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
| | | | |
