Summer memories have a special sweetness. As I watched the sunset over the beach at our Full Moon Member Hike this weekend I smiled thinking about the experiences our collective community is making possible in partnership with some incredible youth-serving organizations from across the Bay Area. One year into our Youth in Parks program we are seeing the impacts of working together to connect young people to the benefits of time spent in nature.
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Meeting the Ocean
One common theme we hear is that most of our Youth in Parks participants have never been to Point Reyes and, in many cases, have never seen the ocean. As I took in the restorative power of the waves off Abbotts Lagoon I kept thinking about a message we received from Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance Program Director Tina Baldry about a recent field trip we co-led.
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“Do you remember the first time you met the ocean? One teen was unsure about taking his shoes off, but the minute his bare feet hit the sand, his shoulders relaxed, and he proceeded to walk into the water where he just stared at the waves and took in the beauty of his surroundings.” Tina shared that watching this moment was particularly meaningful because this child was going through such a hard time and now has both a memory and destination to return to when times are tough.
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Making Memories
Through Youth in Parks we work with each partner organization to create layered programs and experiences that are just right for their unique community… a combination of hands-on science, recreation, stewardship, and reflection. Just in the last month we’ve co-hosted a variety of programs with our partners, including a family BBQ with Marin County Free Library to kick off a summer program to connect youth to the park, a celebratory campout with Canal Alliance for 12th graders heading off to college, and a new collaboration with Richmond College Prep School to introduce nature-based learning to their curriculum through field trips to the Seashore.
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Thank you for partnering with us to grow the community of people who love and care for our park and the natural world. Through membership contributions and support of our Party on the Pacific Plate event we continue to map a park for all. While I don’t remember the first time I saw the ocean, I do remember this last time and the wonderful PRNSA members who are making so many summer memories possible at Point Reyes National Seashore.
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Donna Faure
Executive Director
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On Friday, June 24 staff, board members, volunteers, and naturalists from PRNSA, the National Park Service, and the greater Point Reyes community gathered for a walk down Bear Valley Trail to celebrate Pride Month and to reflect on inclusion at our own park.
We are so grateful to our partners, friends, and folks we met on the trail who came together to honor the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to equity in public lands. PRNSA works to create opportunities for all to experience, enhance, and preserve Point Reyes, and that work doesn’t stop when Pride Month ends.
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Staff, volunteers, and friends gather at the Bear Valley Trailhead before walking. |
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Executive Director Donna, Board Chairs Blanca and Seth, and Superintendent Craig |
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Attendees gather at Divide Meadow to reflect on inclusion in public lands and at our park |
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Cultural Resource Stewardship Award |
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Point Reyes Superintendent Craig Kenkel was recently awarded the 2021 NPS Cultural Resource Stewardship Award for Park Superintendent in the Pacific West. Kenkel was recognized for developing a partnership with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Through a formal agreement, the park and Tribe will cooperatively manage ancestral territories in the park. This agreement, and the long-term relationship it fosters, serves as a model for strengthening relationships with Tribal partners across the NPS. Learn more in this interview. |
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Mark your calendar for this year’s Party on the Pacific Plate, on Saturday, October 8. Our annual fundraiser is THE signature party in West Marin each fall. Sponsorships support our year-round education, conservation, and community building work and will help us grow our work to welcome all to the park. Click HERE to learn more, or send an email to Heather at heatherc@ptreyes.org to become a sponsor today. |
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Art at in the Park: This Summer, the Bear Valley Visitor Center will feature artwork from local botanical artist, quilt maker, and teacher, Nina Antze. Nina lives in Sonoma County and has paintings featured in the Filoli, Alcatraz, Luther Burbank, and Mt. Tamalpais Florilegia. Nina is also one of our Field Institute instructors, and is teaching a " Drawing Sun-Flowers" art class at Point Reyes this August.
Night of Nights Event: Today (July 12) at 5:01 pm PST, Maritime Radio Historical Society volunteers will send the traditional opening message on the K6KPH frequency and will stand by for calls until midnight. The Night of Nights event commemorates the KPH station located at the end of the now famous Point Reyes “Cypress Tree Tunnel,” and honors the men and women who made the profession of radiotelegraph operator.
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Colleen Herr
Biological Science Technician
Colleen Herr is the newest member of our Conservation Team! Colleen's love of nature led her to Humboldt State University where she graduated with a degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation, and minor in Ecological Restoration. Over the last four years Colleen has worked seasonal field jobs in San Francisco, Marin, Colorado, Monterey, and Joshua Tree.
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Natalie Martinez
Environmental Education Intern
Natalie joins the Education Team as our Summer 2022 intern! Natalie's lived experiences growing up in Los Angeles, where she witnessed the manifestations of environmental racism in her community, developed a personal dedication to creating equitable access to healthy and safe environmental spaces for BIPOC. Natalie is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Society & Environment at UC Berkeley.
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Sat, July 30, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Using the acoustic instrument of your choice, learn to channel the sounds of the environment in this unique course inspired by the music of nature.
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Sat, Aug 6, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Save your knees! Strengthen core muscles while hiking! Learn how hiking with poles improves your performance and confidence on the trail.
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Sat, Aug 13, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Learn the three step Art of Woodblocks: to design, carve, and print in black and white or colored inks. Enjoy a day of making & creating!
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Sat, Aug 13, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Draw beautiful summer flowers and explore various colored pencil and botanical illustration techniques. Join online (Zoom). All levels welcome!
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Sat, Aug 13, 7:30pm - 10:00pm
This hike will go at a leisurely pace along the Estero Trail. This special monthly program is offered to PRNSA members. Anyone can become a member!
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Sun, Aug 14, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Sketch along the trail in pen or pencil, then learn to add watercolor. Finish the day with a journal full of Point Reyes scenes!
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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
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