Watercolor Bear by Christa Thomas. |
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December 29, 2023
Greetings!
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When asked about my favorite trail in the park recently, I shared my love for Bear Valley. Whether it's a walking meeting or time alone to think, I find my way to the ease of Bear Valley Trail. After so much time on this special trail, it was a thrill to find bear scat right outside our office. Welcome back bears to Bear Valley!
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Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand, where management changes are being made to protect this sacred site. |
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Welcoming is a beautiful theme we’ve explored all year…bears, new and returning visitors, people of all ages and backgrounds. Through work and personal travel, I focused on how parks are reconnecting with Indigenous people to better tend the land and human relationships. My explorations took me to the South Island of New Zealand, the west and east coasts of Mexico, the Grand Canyon, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. |
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I was especially honored to have staff from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria join me on the trips to the Grand Canyon and Cuyahoga Valley to share and learn together. I feel prepared and excited about the deepening work with the Tribe, particularly around working to reconnect the Tribe’s youth to their homeland and a new trails initiative. |
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Welcoming in 2024
As we move into 2024, we expect a lot to change – new ideas for trails, new partnerships, new visitors. You'll find our top goals for the year below. If they resonate with you, I encourage you to make a year-end gift in support of our conservation, education, and community building work.
Bear Valley Trail offers me and so many others the comfort of familiarity that comes from repeat visits and the inspiration of its seasonal riparian beauty. I’m both delighted and curious about the changing landscape in the park and thrilled by the return of American black bears (kule in Coast Miwok, Ursus americanus to scientists) to Bear Valley. Here’s to interesting and positive change in 2024!
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Donna Faure
Executive Director
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Do our goals for 2024 resonate with you? If yes, we encourage you to make a year-end gift in support of conservation, education, and community building work.
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Cristobal Castaneda
Volunteer Manager
Cristobal’s passion for engaging with nature stems from seeing vast natural lands while immigrating with his family from Guanajuato, Mexico, to California. This led him to community-based volunteer work alongside the NPS, which he is now excited to continue at Point Reyes.
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Aiko Goldston
Wildlife Biological Technician
Aiko’s interest in conservation began when she was a Western Snowy Plover docent in Santa Barbara. She has since worked with the Fish & Wildlife Service and the NPS. Now at PRNSA, Aiko is excited to expand her skills as a biologist and deepen her knowledge of Point Reyes.
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Susan Oertel
Retail Manager
Susan has made retail her lifelong career and, in that time, has managed several retail businesses in Sacramento. Born and raised in Petaluma, Susan is grateful to be back close to the ocean and beaches she grew up on, and happily managing our three park stores.
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Return of the Beach Store |
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The return of elephant seals marks the return of another Drakes Beach staple… the Park Store!
Starting this Saturday, December 30th, the Drakes Beach Park Store will be open from 11am to 4pm on weekends and holiday Mondays. It’s the perfect stop for snacks, apparel, and more on your way to see the seals!
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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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