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Saturday, September 26, 2015 Point Reyes National Seashore will host a couple events in recognition of National Public Lands Day 2015. The public is invited to join us on Sunday, September 27 for a Habitat Restoration Project workday. Additionally, we will offer the opportunity to experience tule elk during the rut (mating season) with our volunteer Tule Elk Docents on both Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27. Ranger-led programs will also be offered at 1:30 pm both days at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. National Public Lands Day (usually observed on the fourth Saturday of September) is an annual event designed to encourage people to get outside and visit places such as Point Reyes National Seashore. National Public Lands Day is also a national volunteer effort to encourage folks to give back to the very lands we use to hike, bike, swim, explore, picnic, or just relax. It is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands! National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. Now, eight federal agencies and many state and local lands participate in this annual day of caring for shared lands. In 2014, about 175,000 volunteers worked at 2,132 sites in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Below is a listing of events that will be held at Point Reyes National Seashore on or in conjunction with the 2015 National Public Lands Day.
Event: Experience Tule Elk Every summer, visitors have the opportunity to see the tule elk during the rut (mating season) weekends and holidays July through September, weather permitting. Docents are stationed at the Tomales Point Trailhead from ~10:30 am to 4 pm and at Windy Gap (1 mile north along the Tomales Point Trail) from ~11 am to 3:30 pm. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with volunteer docents who have binoculars and spotting scopes to allow visitors to observe elk rut behaviors. 
Event: Habitat Restoration Workday Join the Habitat Restoration Program at Point Reyes National Seashore on Sunday, September 27 to help protect and restore endangered plant and wildlife habitat at Abbott's Lagoon. Visit one of the most beautiful areas in the park and learn about local plant ecology while you work alongside park staff to carry out ecological restoration projects. Get involved, meet new people, and make a positive impact on your environment! Please join us for our next Habitat Restoration Program volunteer workday on Sunday, September 27 for an exciting new project. Many park supporters have noticed the spreading of outlying invasive Monterey pines (Pinus radiata) moving out from the dense Christmas tree plantation near the Estero trail. These trees are encroaching on the native coastal grassland/scrub matrix. On Sunday, September 27, we will begin removing outliers above the Estero Trail, using hand saws to safely fell or girdle smaller trees. Hard hats will be provided. Due to the nature of the work and tools involved, this workday is limited to those ages 16 and above. Some volunteers have expressed interest in continuing this work independently. If you are in that category, please be sure to attend this workday for orientation and training, and if possible, notify Ellen Hamingson of your availability to do this prior to the workday. Ellen will stay after lunch, if needed, to make arrangements for those who wish to continue beyond September 27. To hold this workday, we need at least four confirmed participants. Please contact Ellen Hamingson at 415-464-5196 or by email by noon on Thursday, September 24, so that she can plan accordingly. If the workday has to be cancelled due to lack of participants, I will send an email Thursday 5 p.m. to those who have responded. As a special bonus, this event will be included in National Public Lands Day. Be part of a nationwide event in support of our parks. Those participating may receive a coupon (mailed later) good for free admission to one fee-charging national park within the next 12 months. Meet at 9 am in front of the Bear Valley Visitor Center. As always, please bring sturdy shoes, extra warm layers. water, and lunch. We'll carpool or caravan to a parking spot. Tools and gloves will be provided. We will work until 1 pm, and then have lunch on site. |
Last updated: April 18, 2022