Greetings!
With spring in full force, creatures throughout the park are making connections: birds sing out for mates, bees find sweet nectar in blooming wildflowers, and visitors enjoy the buzz of activity with friends and family. Have you made your connection this spring? We’d like to hear about it. This week, we begin to feature your stories from our “Love Your Park” campaign. Check out
Polly Chandler’s story below of how she helped bring a group of "Compassionate Hikers" out to Pierce Point Trail.
Our
High Tide monthly supporter campaign has gained momentum with over 30 new monthly supporters. We are shooting for 100 by May 30. Let’s keep it going!
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Our Instagram photo contest ended this week and we are going through the fun but VERY difficult task of choosing winners from scores of incredible submissions. Results will be announced soon on our website and social media pages. (photo submission at right by Cat Chang)
Our education staff hosted 650 students in April on memorable backpacking trips, cabin overnights, and Science at the Seashore. That’s a lot of ‘Oh, wows’ – as sweet as any bird songs. Speaking of which, Saturday May 4 is the
Global Big Day sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It’s a fun citizen science program that anyone can participate in wherever you are – and is a great way for adults to introduce kids to the joys of birds.
The Point Reyes National Seashore is here for everyone. Find your connections. Find your sunshine. Share your stories at
stories@ptreyes.org. Happy Spring!
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Todd Plummer
Development Director
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- Please check HERE for current Park closures and important updates.
- Research Grants Now Available! Click HERE for Application and Instructions. Open to graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, faculty, and other professional scientists. Contact Ben Becker at ben_becker@nps.gov prior to submitting a proposal.
- Seeking Seasonal Range Intern for June - October 2019. Click HERE to learn more about this position. Contact Donna Faure at donnaf@ptreyes.org if you are interested. Submit resume with references no later than May 15.
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We still want your stories! Submit your stories to stories@ptreyes.org with the subject line "Story Submission".
See
here
for complete list of guidelines.
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Polly Chandler's group of 'Compassionate Hikers' spend an early spring day connecting to each other and the magnificent Seashore.
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"How do you bring your passion to the Park?" That is the question Polly Chandler, one of our longtime volunteers and members, asks. She shares her story with us
here
...
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PRNSA Bookstore Happenings
With the sun shining during these beautiful spring days, visitors from near and far continue to venture out to Point Reyes National Seashore to experience the outdoors! Over the recent Easter weekend our stores were filled with visitors. Our PRNSA Bookstore team has had the opportunity to meet people from all over the Bay Area and beyond. Here is what's happening these next two months at our wonderful bookstores. Please swing by on your way out to the trails!
Bookstore Hours:
- Drakes Beach - Open Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays 10am - 4:30pm
- Bear Valley - Open Weekdays 10am - 5pm; Sat, Sun & Holidays 9am - 5pm
Memorial Day Sale! Come to our bookstores on Memorial Day and save on books, outdoor gear and apparel, and more! 100% of purchases support our work. Before jumping on-line to order your next fleece or field guide, please consider stopping by, going for a nature walk, and helping your local, National park. This is the perfect time to think of end-of-year teacher gifts. We have incredible maps, books, and guides that capture many wonderful histories and experiences such as - Coast Miwok history and stories, native plants and wildflowers, mammals of Point Reyes, wild edible cookbooks, foragers guides, and more. We truly have something unique for everyone.
Charles Hood Author Event
Mammals of Point Reyes: An Introduction & Celebration
Saturday, June 15 11am - 1pm, Bear Valley Visitor Center
Join author and naturalist Charles Hood as he takes you on a journey into the hidden world of mammals. From bats to porcupines to whales, Point Reyes is home to 88 species of mammals, and experts have seen over 40 in one 24-hour period. Come share your own experiences, and learn more about the special world of the mammals among us. Copies of Charles' books, including his current publication
A Californian's Guide to the Mammals Among Us,
will be available for purchase and signing. Click
HERE for more information.
Coastal Commission Art & Poetry Show - Bear Valley Visitor Center is hosting an exhibit of poetry and artwork from the annual California Coastal Commission youth competition. This year a host of local northern California winners are included: second graders Caleb Kim of Alameda and Rhiannon Hewitt of Fairfax; fifth grader Xander Mann from San Anselmo, and eighth grader Kelly Chuang of Corte Madera. The competition is held each year to promote appreciation for the California Coast. For more information
coastal.ca.gov. On display through May 31.
Volunteer at the Bookstore - Share your love of the park with visitors by volunteering in our Bear Valley and Drakes Beach stores. We are looking for people who enjoy greeting park visitors, answering questions, and supporting the sales effort that benefits the park. Help is needed weekends and weekdays. Shift times are flexible and training provided.
Please contact Heather Clapp at (415) 663-1200 ext. 310
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Dates and camp fees are posted
HERE.
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May Field Institute Classes
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Becoming Coyote: The Art of Awareness
Friday, May 3 - 5pm - Sunday, May 5 - 12pm
This class is about practicing presence and experiencing new perspectives. We will learn about the biology and behavior of coyotes and settle the thinking mind with meditative practices and earth art. We will embrace a new kind of Point Reyes experience!
Accommodations at the Chief's House at Chimney Rock.
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Natural History of the Point Reyes Headlands
Saturday, May 4
10am - 4:30pm
During the spring Drakes Beach and the Chimney Rock area are some of the most dynamic parts of the National Seashore. The wildflower display at the headlands can be dramatic both in its diversity and beauty. Cormorants, murres and other seabirds have begun nesting on cliffs. Gray Whales are still migrating. We'll enjoy all this amazing diversity in several short hikes.
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Butterflies for Beginners
Saturday, May 11
10am - 2pm
How can you tell a moth from a butterfly? How do various species of butterflies spend the winter? What host plants do butterflies use? Learn the answers to all your butterfly questions on an exploration of Muddy Hollow. This is not a collecting class. By the end of the day you will be on a first name basis with about ten species of butterflies.
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Secret Caves and Hidden Beaches
Sunday, May 12
9am - 4:30pm
Explore the beauty and science of some of the Seashore's most scenic yet least visited places. We'll take advantage of a rare daytime negative low tide to access sea caves and beaches normally blocked by breaking waves as we look for clues of the forces and life forms that shape this landscape.
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Pastels and Natural Light
Friday, May 17 - 6pm - Sunday,
May 19 - 1pm
This class will focus on observing different qualities of light and color in nature and how they translate into painting. Reflected light in shadow, atmospheric color and light, time of day, and a breakdown of the behavior of light on water are some of the topics we will discuss and demonstrate.
Accommodations at the Historic Lifeboat Station.
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Reptiles of Point Reyes
Saturday, May 18
9am - 4pm
At least 14 species of reptiles can be found on the Point Reyes peninsula. We will start the day with a brief discussion of reptile biology, natural history, and identification. We will then venture out to several locations to see how many we can encounter in the wild!
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Fantastic Flora of Point Reyes
Friday, May 24 - 6pm -
Sunday, May 26 - 10am
Take a fun-filled adventure to explore the fascinating flora of Point Reyes. Learn to identify local plants and find out their culinary and medicinal uses. Make food from acorns and taste wild foraged delicacies. Come immerse yourself in the ....
Accommodations at the Historic Lifeboat Station.
More Info
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Tomales Bay Miwok Stories that Created
the Landscape
Saturday, May 25 - 10am - 3pm
This class offers a survey of Tomales Bay Miwok stories told in Traditional form, followed by an explanation and discussion of some of the relevant elements of the story. The day will have a small hike to the recreated native American site, Kule Loklo, to get a clearer picture of the daily life of these Native Peoples.
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Point Reyes Writing Retreat
Friday, May 31 - 5pm - Sunday, June 2 - 2pm
Spend a weekend writing in community in the Point Reyes wilds! We will explore poetry and prose forms and work on practices for attention, clear thinking and...
Accommodations at the Historic Lifeboat Station.
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RISING TIDES
30 new members in April! Thanks to those of you who have joined our new program. Like the tides, your monthly donation helps provide us with nutrients to sustain our critical conservation work and bring more faces out to the Seashore. Go green and join our rising tide! Become a
High Tide Monthly Supporter
today. We are trying to meet our goal of 100 new members by the end of May. It is the easiest, and greenest way to show your love for the park!
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