An opalescent nudibranch. Photo by Emma Estrada.

February 4, 2026

Dear Friend,

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Seashore, it’s that every crook of a branch, bend of a stream, and twist of a trail cradles a new story.

Some of these stories are inscribed within the rings of Douglas firs, the oldest living archives of Point Reyes' climate through centuries. Other stories are tenderly held by phytoliths—plant tissues which remain underground for thousands of years—clues of plant populations past. Some are chronicled in the cells of park biologists’ spreadsheets, each sighting of a spotted owlet, star tulip, or mountain beaver burrow serving as valuable documentation of a species’ story (at this time of year, biologists are carefully tracking elephant seal pup counts!). And even more tales are imprinted into a kingfisher’s rattling voice and the galactic projections on a nudibranch’s back—characteristics slowly evolved through infinite interactions, migrations, and mutations.

Some stories are less tangible—they’re written in laughter, a family giggling at a shy gopher; the fading footprints of a middle schooler who visited the ocean for the very first time. They meander through connections and conversations, such as one which I overheard between two park visitors: a backpacker had hiked all the way down from a campground because his pen had run out of ink; he wanted to find a fresh one so he could return to his campsite and continue journaling. His fellow visitor offered a pen with multicolored ink, and he was newly equipped to reflect on his own stories of abundant hues.

The Seashore is rife with narratives, memories, and rhythms shaped over time, and everyone has a place in this ever-growing story. When communities across the country are being threatened, it’s even more important to remember that we can be held by this one.

There are many ways that you can connect with the Seashore’s stories and create ones of your own—through reading our Monthly Marvels series (learn about woodpecker drama, sea lemon eggs, and more in our January-February issue!), participating in an upcoming class or volunteer event, hiking a new stretch of Point Reyes’ 150 miles of trails, or simply sitting under a tree and journaling, knowing that you are part of a grand story.

We look forward to seeing you in the park!

All the best,

Avani Fachon

Multimedia Storytelling Coordinator

P.S. The deadline is approaching to apply for our Annual Giving & Grants Manager position! Find the full job description and apply here by Friday, February 6, 2026.

This January and February, the park is bustling with winter happenings of all kinds. Acorn woodpeckers are tending to their granaries, scarlet elf cups are performing their magical spore displays, and sea lemons are busy depositing their crocheted egg masses into Point Reyes tide pools. Start February with an adventure to seek out some of these wonders, and discover some winter marvels of your own!

What we love about Point Reyes...

What do you love most about Point Reyes? We asked community members to share more about their connection to the Seashore, and here's what they said...

We've felt the support of our community so strongly over the past year—you've helped us remain grounded and resilient in the midst of turbulence, and we're so grateful to have such a steady network of park lovers stewarding and championing this special place. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we had a successful year-end fundraising campaign and surpassed our goals! We are ready to meet whatever opportunities and challenges 2026 holds.

Upcoming Programs & Events

Winter Birds of Tomales Bay

Fri. Feb 13, 9am-3:30pm

Visit sites along the East Shore of Tomales Bay to observe shorebirds, raptors and more! We will focus on bird identification and behavior.

French Broom Pull at Olema Marsh

Sat. Feb 14, 10am-1pm

Join us in kicking off the 2026 volunteer season by helping to remove non-native French broom, restoring the Olema marsh habitat!

Thursday Weeders at Abbotts Lagoon

Thurs. Feb 19, 10am-2pm

Join PRNSA staff and volunteers at Abbotts Lagoon to help restore critical coastal dune habitat. Tools and snacks provided!

Songs of the Sea & Chantey Sing-along

Sat. Feb 21, 3pm-4:30pm

Meet at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center where we'll raise our voices together in songs of the sea. Bring your arsenal of sea chanteys! Free event.

Book Event: When the Forest Breathes

Fri. Apr 3, 6:30pm

Point Reyes Books, PRNSA, and Emergence Magazine welcome Suzanne Simard to discuss her new book exploring renewal and resilience in the natural world.

California Naturalist Program Spring 2026

Saturdays April 11 - May 16

Become a Certified California Naturalist at Point Reyes! Explore and learn alongside some of the state's most knowledgeable naturalists.

Weekly Elephant Seal Updates

NPS / PRNSA / Aiko Goldston - NMFS Permit No. 27424

Follow elephant seal pupping season with weekly updates! Each week on the NPS website, the Point Reyes monitoring team publishes a roundup of seal counts, photos, and other elephant seal happenings across the Seashore. Recent highlights include weaned pup sightings, a primer on which flipper tag colors correspond to different sites across the state, interspecies interactions with coyotes and sharks, and the most up-to-date estimate of California's entire northern elephant seal population.

Receive a Point Reyes Valentine!

Point Reyes plovers, elephant seals, owls, wildflowers, newts, and ferns want to write you or a special someone (who seal-iously stole your heart) a Valentine's Day card! Sign up to receive a free valentine in your mailbox or have one sent to someone else...it'll be a surprise which Point Reyes admirer writes!

Our Point Reyes species get writing cramps...cards are limited to the first 100 sign ups (one per person)! ❤️