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.

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.

Donna Faure

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.

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.