Photo by Carlos Porrata
February 2, 2023

Greetings!                
Gratitude is a beautiful thing. It’s magic really.  

It’s that perfect zen moment on the trail, the roar of the surf on the beach, a bird’s call piercing the silence of Bayview trail, an unexpected hold-your-breath wildlife sighting on the hillside approaching Pierce Point. It’s that moment when everything stops and all the cares in your heart and mind are displaced by awe and wonder and peace. It’s just you, the seashore, and all its splendor at a perfect, beautiful, calm standstill.  

That moment is magic … and what it ignites is gratitude, the spark that moves us to act and transforms us from park visitors into park stewards.
Looking Forward
At the end of 2022 Executive Director Donna Faure shared five initiatives that PRNSA is taking on in the new year, and I’m happy to share more of what’s to come in 2023:
  • Conservation & Communication: To protect and share the park, we plan to invest more into conservation and science communication. This includes a project to map park sounds so that everyone can experience the magic of Point Reyes.

  • Trails Planning: Visiting public lands can be daunting, especially if trail systems are unmarked and inaccessible. PRNSA and the NPS are kicking off a new trail planning process to best welcome people and protect ecosystems.

  • A Park For All: PRNSA continues to rethink what it means to be a park partner, and how we can create a park for all. This begins with implementing recommendations from Justice Outside as we work to create a welcoming community and park.

  • Youth in Parks: YIP has provided park experiences for 1,500+ underrepresented youth since the program began in 2021. This year, our team plans to deepen and expand partner connections (2 new partners just joined the YIP family last month!).

  • Storytelling: As the PRNSA team and community grow, we are committed to sharing more voices and gathering even more in community.
A Huge Thanks to You
The only thing better than experiencing gratitude is expressing gratitude. Gratitude is what I feel when I think of each one of you and everything you and your support helps make possible, so thank you! I’m excited to see what more we accomplish together in 2023!

Wishing you a new year filled with many magical moments. Hope to see you on the trails!
Warmly,
Blanca Chang Johnson
PRNSA Board Co-Chair
Pupping Season in Full Force
PRNSA, the NPS, and the Marine Mammal Center have partnered to put up a live webcam at Point Reyes that is capturing the semiannual visits of northern elephant seals. Last week, an elephant seal birth was caught on video, and you can watch it here!
The live-stream also captures Marine Mammal Center releases of seal and sea lion patients. You can text RELEASE to 65179 to be alerted when a release at Point Reyes is about to happen. The live feed can be viewed at any time here.
New Staff on the PRNSA Team
Ria Espinoza
Environmental Educator
Ria joins the PRNSA Education Team as our newest Environmental Educator. Ria grew up in Marin County and found Point Reyes through Canal Alliance's University Prep program. She is excited to work for PRNSA to give children the same space that she was provided.

Kathryn Hart
Elephant Seal Monitoring Intern
Kathryn joins PRNSA as the 2023 Elephant Seal Monitoring Intern, and will work alongside NPS staff monitoring pinnipeds. She holds a BS in Environmental Science from Indiana University Bloomington, and she is interested in all things nutrition, food culture, and production.

Classes & Events
Early 2023 is full of classes and events at the Seashore! Look below for a sneak peek at the first events of the year, and visit our website for the full class list!
Sun, Feb. 5, 10:30am - 1:30pm

A slow meander in the woods to allow for a deep and meaningful connection with the natural world. Youth are encouraged to take the lead to experience the natural work through their senses

Fri, Feb. 10, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Tomales Bay provides wintering habitat for thousands of loons, grebes, ducks, and other waterbirds. This class will focus on bird identification and behavior during short and easy walks.

Sun, Feb. 25, 9:30am - 2:30pm

Explore mechanics of plate tectonics and geologic features evidencing the displacement of the Point Reyes peninsula northward along the San Andreas fault.

Youth Conservation Corps
Now Accepting Applicants: YCC Point Reyes Summer Program!
Want to work, learn, and grow outside this summer? The NPS wants to hire you for the summer YCC Program!

Over eight weeks, participants will learn technical skills (including tree removal and trail maintenance), engage in a variety of trainings and classes, build relationships with peers and NPS staff, and more. Participants must be at least 15 years of age, but cannot turn 19 before the program ends (August 4, 2023). Learn more and apply!
Survey for Tomales Bay Community
Do you live in West Marin? Do you have thoughts on local habitat restoration and sea-level rise? Take a survey!
Julie Gonzalez (UC Davis), Ben Becker (UC Berkeley), and Lorraine Parsons (NPS) are collaborating on a project to explore local community members' perceptions of habitat restoration in Tomales Bay. The survey is available in English and Spanish.
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