December 8, 2023

Greetings!                
It’s my favorite time of the year. I love the smell of wet dirt after it rains, the frost-covered hills on a cold morning, and the warmth my friends and family bring to the holidays. It’s been an incredible year for our conservation team, and I’m extremely proud to manage such amazing staff. The support they provide the National Park Service (NPS) is strong and their passion and love for the park is even stronger. 

As the year ends, I’d like to reflect on the strides we've made, and ask for your support of our collective mission to protect and preserve Point Reyes National Seashore.
Nature’s Year in Review
It’s been a busy yet fruitful year. We joined the National Park Service in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Giacomini Wetland restoration project. An ongoing commitment that includes bird monitoring, invasive species management, and adaptive restoration management.  
On the other side of the park, we helped fund a 12-acre prescribed burn in the dunes to remove invasive European beachgrass and improve conditions for native plants and animals. The fire was just one technique used alongside years of inventory and monitoring, soil samples, and the manual removal of invasive species. 
The vegetation and wildlife programs at our park have also strengthened. Thanks to generous gifts from two long-time supporters, we grew our conservation team by two—a vegetation technician and a wildlife technician to support the Park Service’s work at Point Reyes.
And thanks to our Neubacher Marine Science Fund, we are proud to have funded local research projects that underscore our dedication to preserving and understanding the ecological intricacies of our park for future generations. 
Point Reyes' Conservation Story
While our conservation efforts have achieved significant milestones and positively impacted the ecological health of our park, the need for ongoing support remains strong. The challenges we face, from invasive species management to the complexities of maintaining biodiversity, require sustained resources and dedication from skilled professionals in the field. 
As we celebrate the wonders of Point Reyes National Seashore, I invite you to renew your commitment to conserving and protecting this treasure for generations to come. Thank you for being part of the ongoing story of conservation at Point Reyes.
All the best,
Sam Chiriboga
Associate Director
Vital Signs & Climate Change
How can we track the ways that local national park ecosystems respond to the unprecedented effects of climate change?
One way is to keep tabs on ecosystem vital signs. Vital signs are particular animals, plants, or non-living factors that are deeply entangled in the workings of their environments, and thus indicators of the health of their broader ecosystems. Just as a doctor takes a patient’s pulse to collect information about their well-being, biologists can monitor vital components of an ecosystem to gather clues about its overall state.

In a recent StoryMap created by the San Francisco Bay Area Network, explore the status of six local vital signs, hear from park biologists in the field, and discover what data suggests about the future of our parks.

Park Internship Opportunities
Science Communication Assistant
The San Francisco Bay Area Network is seeking an intern to help spread the word about monitoring work at five national parks, including Point Reyes National Seashore. From May 2024 to September 2024, the intern’s primary duties will involve developing an ArcGIS StoryMap or NPS.gov article series exploring how parks have put network monitoring data to use to further their conservation goals.
Biology Assistant
The San Francisco Bay Area Network is seeking an intern to assist the year-round Coho and Steelhead Monitoring Program based in Point Reyes. Over a 52-week period (June 2024 to May 2025), the intern will support National Park Service biologists in collecting vital information on endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead within Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.
Winter Events & Classes
The 2024 calendar year may not have started yet, but our park calendar is full of events and classes through February. Look below for all upcoming class options!
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Sat, Dec. 16, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

You're invited to our 2023 Holiday Open House at Bear Valley. Bring the whole family for children's activities and photos with the Morgan horses (from 1-3pm).
Sun, Dec. 17, 9:30am - 3:30pm

The Christmas Bird Count monitors over 200 bird species, and the Seashore ranks near the top of all counts. Join us to practice and enjoy!
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Sun, Jan. 7, 10:00am - 4:30pm

Explore the mysterious and fascinating world of mushrooms in Point Reyes. Class designed for beginner to intermediate mushroom enthusiasts.
Fri, Feb. 2, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Tomales Bay is an important area for thousands of waterbirds. Visit sites along the East Shore to observe shorebirds, raptors and more!

~Sun, Feb. 4, 9:00am - 2:00pm

Discover the world of birding through this engaging introductory class! Examine bones and feathers, then learn how to ID in the field.


Sun, Feb. 11, 9:00am - 2:30pm

Enhance your birding skills in dramatic Point Reyes! This class will cover bird identification basics, binocular use, and guides.

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