January 24, 2024
Greetings!
We are so thankful to you for being part of our greater Point Reyes community, and for connecting with us in 2023. Together, we set a strong foundation for our exciting conservation, education, and community building work in 2024.

A big thank you to those who supported our year-end fundraising efforts. With your help, we surpassed our fundraising goals and are better prepared for our planned initiatives for 2024 – trails planning, DEIJ (diversity, equity, inclusion, justice), youth education, volunteer programs, and more! A second special thanks goes out to the organizations funding our Youth in Parks programs – the California Coastal Conservancy, the National Park Trust, and many more incredible foundations and funding partners. Your support is changing the landscape of accessibility and equity at our park.
Welcome to 2024
As we’ve stepped into 2024, we’re excited to share some of the upcoming ways to continue connecting. From new positions to hikes to classes and events, we hope we’ll see you in the park soon. Keep an eye out for future newsletters – we have some amazing projects in the works for this year!
All the best,
Zoe Duerksen-Salm
Communications & Grants Manager
P.S. Sound recordist and California Naturalist graduate Ernst Karel now has his own radio segment every other Friday on KWMR (next episode on Feb. 2). Tune in at 9am for one hour of voices and sounds from various locations in and around the Seashore. Click here for last week’s episode.
Join Our Team!
We're hiring a Philanthropy Events & Stewardship Manager!
Photo by Avani Fachon, PRNSA
The Manager will join our efforts to build a community of supporters who connect with and believe in our mission-driven work. They will manage all donor-focused events, oversee their own portfolio of donors, and support community engagement strategies for the organization.

Know someone who might be interested? Find the full job description and application portal here!

Applications due February 20, 2024,
Point Reyes Classes
Our 2024 Field Institute Calendar is full of fun and interesting opportunities for everyone. However you connect with Point Reyes—from bird watching to kayaking to learning about geology and painting landscapes—we're sure that there's a class for you. Look below for our next three classes, and click here for the full calendar through April.
Fri, Feb. 2, 9am - 4pm

Tomales Bay is an important area for thousands of waterbirds. Visit sites on the East Shore to observe shorebirds, raptors and more!
Sat, Feb. 4, 9am - 2pm

Discover the world of birding through this engaging introductory class! Examine bones and feathers, then learn how to ID in the field.
Sat, Feb. 10, 9:30am - 1:30pm

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Drakes Estero marine wilderness by kayak, guided by expert naturalist David Wimpfheimer!
California Naturalist Program
The California Naturalist Program at Point Reyes is a field-based lecture series that aims to foster a diverse community of naturalists and promote stewardship of California through education and stewardship

Over the course of five separate Saturdays (April 13th - May 18th), students will experience the Seashore in ways the casual visitor cannot, alongside some of California's most knowledgeable naturalists. Find exact dates, more information, and registration details here.
Full Moon Member Hike
Chimney Rock Trail | Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Join us for our first full moon member walk of 2024 as we celebrate the Lunar New Year! Dress warmly and bring your binoculars as we will also spend a little time learning about some of our marine mammal friends. This walk is approximately 3 miles long with a slight elevation gain. Register for the walk here!

We appreciate the support of our members and are excited to offer them this special program. Not a member? Become one today for as little as $10 a month! Click here to become a member and support our park!
Elephant Seals & Beach Closures
Temporary closure of Drakes Beach and limited access to Drakes Beach Road!

Northern elephant seals have returned to Drakes Beach (70+ females have already been spotted!) and given birth close to beach access points. To better protect the pups during this time in their development, this area will only be open when park staff and volunteers are present.

Until further notice, the Drakes Beach Road and parking lot will be open daily from 10 am - 4 pm to allow visitors to view the elephant seals during this exciting time! Please note: Drakes Beach is closed (i.e., the beach and all areas immediately south/below the parking lot).
Intro to Mammalogy Course
Curious about all things mammals? Join our good friend and local instructor Joe Mueller for their Intro to Mammalogy course through the College of Marin. In this class, you'll learn about mammalian diversity, natural history, ecology, behavior, anatomy, and physiology. You'll also learn how to interpret their body language and discover the art of tracking.

For more information about the class and field schedule contact instructor Joe Mueller at JMueller@Marin.edu. Enroll at marin.edu or mycom.marin.edu today!
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