December 21, 2021
Greetings!
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Today is the winter solstice and the seasonal beginning of winter here in the northern hemisphere. While most places lie fallow and dormant, blanketed in ice and snow, Point Reyes is vibrant and pulsing with life. It is one of the most spectacular places in the Bay Area and it is accessible, free, and open to all. Your chances of spotting or encountering wildlife in this park are greater than most other national parks in the U.S. Please watch our new conservation video below, which we developed this year with Pusher, Inc. to share the power of collective care and year-round monitoring of special habitats, and threatened and endangered species in Point Reyes.
Show your support for conservation by making a year-end gift today. This month, we still have $50,000 left to raise by December 31.
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Walking in the Dark
Last Saturday, I walked with 18 “moonwalkers” at Limantour Beach to experience the last full moon of 2021. As the moon rose high behind our backs, casting long moon shadows, we reflected on something from this past year that no longer serves us and that we’d like to release. On our return, walking toward the light, we considered what we’d like to dream into being for 2022. Throughout this past year, the practice of walking in the dark has offered a way for our members to experience the natural world more deeply and come together in community. In an essay from his book The Heart of Tracking, Richard Vacha reflects on his own experience of “Walking in the Dark”.
During the darkest time of year I am grateful to our conservation staff, interns, researchers, volunteers, our members and community scientists (you!) for providing hope, guidance, and light in the face of ever-increasing threats to our park and planet. Long-term monitoring is critical for understanding how to manage, maintain, and improve the health of entire ecosystems. Thank you for considering supporting this work.
I invite you to come to Point Reyes this Winter to reflect, reset, and restore. Wrap yourself in the wonder and magic of this special park. Wishing you much light, warmth, and joy.
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Heather Clapp
Director of Development & Community Engagement
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By Tara Blake and Natale Urquhart, December 2021
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By Jessica Weinberg McClosky,
December 2021
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By Ellen Greenblatt, December 2020
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Beaches: The seasonal beach closures for the elephant seal breeding sites started Dec.15 and go through March 31. These closures include the southern end of South Beach, the Fish Dock area, the beach between the lifeboat station and the end of Chimney Rock, and portions of Drakes Beach.
Bear Valley Visitor Center: The Visitor Center will be closed Christmas day but otherwise open 9:30am-5pm daily.
Lighthouse Visitor Center: Weather permitting, the Lighthouse Visitor Center will be open 10am-4pm weekends and the upcoming Monday holidays.
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Stop by the PRNSA Park Store!
Books and maps, clothing, stuffed animals, hats and so much more!
Special gifts for the adventurer/hiker/Point Reyes lover on your list.
Open daily from 9:30am - 5pm at the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
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Environmental Educator
We are hiring a full-time Environmental Educator to join the team in February. The Educator will focus primarily on the development, planning, and delivery of science and nature-based youth education programs, and may be responsible for selected aspects of program administration, communications and documentation.
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Sat, Jan. 1, 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Explore the beauty of some of the Seashore’s most scenic sea caves, beaches, and tidepools thanks to a rare daytime negative low tide!
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Sat, Jan. 15, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
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Sun Jan. 16, 10:00am - 6:00pm
See with new eyes as you learn to work with sun, moon, and tides in your photos, then enjoy a field shoot at sunset with a full moon rise!
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Sun, Jan. 23, 10:00am - 4:30pm
Explore the mysterious and fascinating world of wild mushrooms in Point Reyes National Seashore.
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Sun, Jan. 23, 10:30am - 1:30pm
A Forest Bathing walk is a guided slow meander intended to allow deep, meaningful connection with the natural world.
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Sat, Jan. 29, 9:00am - 3:00pm
A workshop in the wild for creating new writing, tuning the senses to the natural world, and asking intelligent questions.
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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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