February 23, 2022

Dear Friends,                
I love open water… the way it shifts and surprises me with its power and beauty. Swimming is my go-to water activity and I prefer to go it alone. But recently I found myself enjoying the waters of Drakes Estero on a staff kayaking trip to celebrate the new year and all of our accomplishments. To my surprise, I discovered both a new way to connect with water and explore a little farther with the help of a partner. That day PRNSA staff were paired up to balance experience and to let folks who usually don’t work together have a chance to get to know each other. I shared a kayak with Brentley McNeill, PRNSA’s lead fisheries biologist. 
Through partnering, I learned I could go faster and farther, once we were in sync with our strokes and conversation. At the beginning Brentley said, “you set the pace and I’ll match you.” That early planning was key. On the way back, we talked through how to let the tide do some of the work, which allowed us to slow down and enjoy the incredible views with the other kayak teams. Continuing communication is key to partnering success, especially in rougher water.
Navigating in Partnership
In this newsletter you’ll read all about PRNSA’s partnerships, including how PRNSA’s lead volunteers, Blanca Chang Johnson and Seth Rosen, are working together to help us navigate through changing times. You’ll also learn how we are meeting our partners on their own grounds (and parks) to better understand their needs as we co-create programs. And we’ll update you on the inter-agency-hosted stewardship day that harnessed the community’s power to restore a riparian section of the park.
On that beautiful day on Drakes Estero our staff were greeted by a coyote, harbor seals, moon snails, white pelicans, a bald eagle, and river otters. With each new sighting, my feelings of gratitude and respect for our closest partner, the National Park Service, deepened as I reflected on our shared dedication to restoring and caring for the Seashore.
As a PRNSA supporter, you are an important partner in delivering on our collective conservation, education, and community building efforts. Thanks to your generosity in 2021, we’ve had the funds to begin new and deepen long-time partnerships that will have positive impacts at the Seashore for years to come. As the tides change at PRNSA, we look forward to our continued partnerships with you, our members, supporters and volunteers.
Best,
Donna Faure
Executive Director
Voices at the Seashore
In the spirit of partnering, PRNSA’s Board transitioned to a new “co-chair” leadership model. Blanca Chang Johnson and Seth Rosen were recently elected to co-lead the PRNSA Board. Blanca and Seth bring a complementary set of skills, styles, and life experiences to focus on a shared vision for guiding PRNSA during shifting times.
East Bay Fieldtrip
Last month PRNSA staff took a trip to the East Bay to explore the importance of connecting youth from around the Bay Area to strong outdoor education experiences and programming.

Led by our very own Education Manager, Brandon Barragan, the day began with a tour of the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. Our group then took a quick drive to Miller Knox Park where we explored the impacts of outdoor exploration for youth. The PRNSA staff were joined by Board Co-Chairs Blanca Chang Johnson and Seth Rosen, Francis Mendoza of Children & Nature Network, and two of our Youth in Parks partners, Brothers on the Rise and The Watershed Project.
Stewardship Day
Thank you to Water Stewardship Program (WSP) corps members Tara Blake and Natale Urquhart for leading a group of 36 volunteers to revegetate the streambanks of a tributary of Lagunitas Creek in the park.
The restoration site was located beside the Zanardi Ranch residence along the banks of a seasonal stream. The goal and efforts in revegetating the area was to increase bankside stabilization to reduce erosion, increase stream shading, and increase habitat for steelhead, coho salmon, and a handful of other aquatic species. In total 28 live oak (Quercus agrifolia), 40 juncus (Juncus patens) and 50 willow (Salix sp.) were successfully planted, and three large brambles of the non-native himalayan blackberry were removed from the site by hard working volunteers and staff. By midafternoon, we could see that the foundation was set for a promising restoration of this riparian habitat.
This event was a collaboration of the Water Stewardship Program, National Park Service, Point Reyes National Seashore Association. Keep an eye out for updates in PRNSA newsletters if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.
Job Opportunity
Retail Assistant Manager
PRNSA is hiring a Retail Assistant Manager to join our Park Stores Retail team that runs the daily operations of three Park Stores at Point Reyes National Seashore. We are looking for a reliable, organized individual who enjoys interacting with the public, has great attention to detail and organizational skills, and is familiar with and/or desires to learn more about our Retail Stores and Park.

Field Institute Classes

Sat, Feb. 26, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Learn tips and hone your skills as you discover how to make fun, beautiful images with the iPhone. All smart phones are welcome.
Sat, Feb. 26, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Enhance your birding skills as you learn tips and tricks for identification and equipment use while immersed in Point Reyes.

Sat, Mar. 12, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Dissect and study the first flowers of Spring. Then, use colored pencil techniques to create a study of your own garden flower.

Sun, Mar. 13, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Children are naturally fascinated by birds. Learn to foster their excitement with games and skills for enjoying birds together everywhere!

Sat, Mar. 19, 9:00am - 3:00pm

A workshop in the wild for creating new writing, tuning the senses to the natural world, and asking insightful questions at Limantour Beach.
Sat, Mar. 19, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Easy-to-learn pole techniques and gentle exercises will empower you to maintain independence, stamina, strength, and form!
Sat, Mar. 26, 10:30am - 1:30pm

A Forest Bathing walk is a guided, slow meander intended to allow for a deep and meaningful connection with the natural world.
Sat, Mar. 19, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Learn to capture images of the iconic California Coast using watercolor in this 3-hour virtual lesson that will leave your journal page rich with memories.
Sat, Apr. 9, 9:00am - 1:00pm

Spring wildflowers carpet the outer bluffs of Point Reyes while elephant seals reclaim the beaches. Enjoy both during a Chimney Rock hike!
Sat, Apr. 9, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Enjoy Tomales Bay by land and sea during this full day hike and kayak adventure with our partners from Blue Waters Kayaking!
Sun, Apr. 10, 8:30am - 2:30pm

Learn for yourself what the birds are saying! Together, we will practice nature connection through an experiential workshop that activates all of our senses.
Sun, Apr. 10, 9:00am - 4:00pm

This eight mile hike takes us to a dramatic meeting of land and estuary. Join us for a full day of natural history exploration at the Estero Trail!
Sat, Apr. 16, 9:00am - 1:30pm

Over a year ago the Woodward Fire burned almost 5,000 acres in Point Reyes. Learn about the recovery and fire ecology!
Walk
Sun, Apr. 17, 10:30am - 1:30pm

A Forest Bathing walk is a guided, slow meander intended to allow for a deep, meaningful connection with the natural world.
Sat, Apr. 23, 9:00am - 3:00pm

A workshop in the wild for creating new writing, tuning the senses to the natural world, and asking insightful questions.
Sat, Apr. 23, 10:00am - 4:00pm

Power with Poles! Learn individualized strategies for improving performance and confidence on the trail.


Sun, Apr. 24, 10:30am - 2:30pm

Explore the butterflies of Muddy Hollow from swallowtails to checkerspots and blues! Observe their behaviors and host plants.


Fri, Apr. 29, 8:30am - 4:00pm

What a time to enjoy birds in a variety of habitats as nesting birds return and wintering birds linger!
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