March 17, 2021
Greetings!                
This is the 47th Park In Place issue. From my perch on a dune at Limantour Beach last week I looked through my journals from the past year. Writing down my observations gives me enough distance to think through challenges and capture the learning that is happening, even when it is uninvited.

It’s been one year today since our office closed in compliance with the Shelter in Place order from Governor Newsom. The week before we’d already begun canceling programs and closing our retail shops. The news from Italy was prescient and we could see our turn was coming. A year later, I’m humbled by the losses... life, livelihoods, and time. 
Parked at Home, Heart Still in the Park
As our staff packed up our offices this time last year we were all worried. Nobody knew how long we’d be out or how long the reserves in our bank account would hold.
We held our last staff huddle and talked about how we would stay in touch – and that’s how Park in Place came to be. Instinctively, we knew that one of the most important things we needed was to stay connected to our community… to each other and to you. Through mostly weekly e-news issues, virtual educational programming, a live broadcasted Dinner on the Pacific Plate event, and emergency alerts, we've aimed to bring the value of Point Reyes National Seashore to you even when we can’t be in the park.

Over the last year we increased both the frequency and the type of communications, adding podcasts, videos, and educational webinars. Park In Place is PRNSA’s collective journal... a blended chronicling of current events, musings from a variety of voices, and fabulous visuals. It's been a team effort, with special thanks to Heather Clapp who leads our development efforts. Below I'm also so happy to introduce Deirdre Nemmers, our amazing graphic designer who creates the great visuals to anchor our communications.
Your Park, Your Place
What we’ve learned over this long year is that parks are an essential service during a pandemic, and so is community. Throughout the year as parts of the park were closed because of the Shelter in Place order, fire, or road work, I heard folks speak longingly for a glimpse of the waves, a hike on a familiar trail, or a view of the wildflowers. As restrictions eased, people from all around the Bay Area took their day vacation to the Seashore, some who were new to the park. Of course, it was love at first sight.
Signs at the Crossroad 
The news from Marin County looks hopeful for moving to another level of recovery with fewer restrictions and we are excited to announce our new campaign - Your Park, Your PlaceSpring is almost here and we feel the shift of the seasons and outlook for the pandemic. Your Park, Your Place acknowledges the change in possibilities.

Here is a link to our "Look Back, Plan Forward" video that captures some of how we are reimagining our work. We will continue to bring you distant learning opportunities through Park in Place webinars. We look forward to sharing more stories from the park and from the many communities who come together in their appreciation of the wild beauty and long human history at the Seashore. You inspire us! Additionally, look for more in-person opportunities to know and protect your park as volunteering and gatherings become safer.
I'll close with a huge appreciation for our staff, board, National Park Service partners, friends at other nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and supporters who have shown up every time we needed help this year. Thanks to your help we are doing well and excited about the conservation, education and community-building possibilities for the coming year. Most recently, I'm thrilled to report that we've received support to cover all of this year's summer camp scholarships and our $10,000 goal for the Morgan Horse Ranch. As we step into spring, I invite you to share topics you'd like to hear more about in future Your Park, Your Place e-newsletters. Let's stay in touch!
Warmly,
Donna Faure
Executive Director
Full Moon Hikes for Members
We build community through events like our Full Moon Member Hikes. Due to COVID, the hikes are limited to 12 participants. Register here today. To hold you over until the next one on March 27, here is a sweet frog song captured by moon walker, winter wildlife docent, and member, Ellen Greenblatt.
#ParkInPlace by Design
PRNSA: Deirdre, what inspires you as you created Park in Place graphics and what's your connection to the park?
Point Reyes is a magical place in every season due to its varied terrain and wildlife – both native and migratory. I’ve lived next to the park for almost 20 years and have explored widely, and yet am always amazed at how much more there is to discover.

Having images shared with us by so many talented photographers is a blessing to me both personally and in my role as a designer for PRNSA. Each Park in Place graphic presents unique challenges and I begin the design process with reflection and research. Sometimes I’ve come across a breathtaking image and present it essentially as-is in order to share it with our community of park lovers. Other times, I attempt to illustrate a theme with a combination of images, illustrations, and type. I always try to source local photos from local or visiting photographers, and to present California native species. My efforts have not been flawless, but the exercise (and feedback from experts in their fields) has deepened my knowledge of – and appreciation for – the unique biodiversity of our park. It's also strengthened my desire to protect, enhance, and share this special place with others.
These two Park in Place e-news headers are personal favorites – two out of 47 (!) created in the past year. I always appreciate your feedback and further information about the places and subjects I share.
Because I work alone and have limited contact with others, I frequently forget that my work for PRNSA goes out into the world beyond just Donna and Heather! Their dedication to embodying the mission and values of PRNSA is a constant source of inspiration to me and motivates my professional growth as I strive to do my best work. I feel honored to have contributed my skills these past 9 years to this organization, am enriched on many levels, and hope my graphic communications have contributed to PRNSA's successes as well. I anticipate our new Your Park, Your Place messaging will foster more connection between people and this park, and I look forward to seeing how it - and we - evolve. 
PARK UPDATES
Weekends continue to be busy. With the persistent nice weather and school spring breaks upon us, parking lots have been filling early at most trailheads. Please come visit us early or late in the day, and week days are always less crowded.

Plan Your Visit
Some areas of the park continue to be closed due to COVID-19 and the Woodward Fire. Visit the park's website or social media for up to date information the day of your visit.
Community Events
And All the Ships at Sea
Point Reyes and the Culture of Radio with Carola Davis
Friday, March 19, 10 - 11:30am 
A virtual talk moderated by Irwin Keller
Co-presented by The New School at Commonweal & Bolinas Museum
Free, with donation. Register here.
Book Launch
Hosted by Diane Frank, poet and Editor-in-Chief of Blue Light Press
Monday, March 22, 6pm
Jeffrey Bartfeld, author of A Poet's Portrait of Point Reyes
Rayne O'Brien, author of Living on a Song a Day
Steve Trenam, author of An Affront to Gravity

To attend email bluelightpress@aol.com and the link will be sent to you about two days before the event.
Environmental Forum of Marin presents
Full Life, Empty Garbage Bin 
Wednesday, March 24, 4 – 5:30 
Learn how waste is managed in Marin and pick up some tips for reducing waste. Kim Scheibly, Formerly the Director of Compliance & Customer Relations at Marin Sanitary Service, will share the hard truths about how much waste we generate and how little of it we recycle. For some zero-waste lifestyle inspiration we’ll hear from Lily Cameron, who is passionate about living a minimal, zero-waste lifestyle and helping others do the same. She launched her store, Wild Minimalist, to make it easier for more people to switch to low-waste living, and will share tips and advice from her own family’s plastic-free journey on their blog, Instagram, and just-released book, Simply Sustainable. Register here to attend this online event.
SPRING CLASSES AND EVENTS
MARCH
Friday, March 19, 8:30am – 3:30pm
Saturday, March 27, 10am – 12pm
APRIL
Saturday, April 3, 10am – 3pm

Saturday, April 10, 10am – 4pm

Saturday, April 10, 10am – 3:30pm

Sunday, April 11, 10am – 5pm
Friday, April 16, 8:30am – 3:30pm

Saturday, April 17, 10am – 3pm

Saturday, April 17, 10am – 2pm

Sunday, April 18, 9am – 4:30pm

Saturday, April 24, 9am – 4pm

Sunday, April 25, 9am – 3pm

Friday, April 30, 9am – 4pm
Your monthly donations help sustain our conservation and environmental education programs, and allow us to bring more faces out to the Seashore. Donate this month and sign up to join our rising tide! Become a High Tide Monthly Supporter today. It is the easiest, and greenest way to show your love for the park!
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 | development@ptreyes.orgwww.ptreyes.org