skip navigation

The Magic of Environmental Storytelling- Junior Land Stewards Field Glimpse

At Farallone View, Christian Trujillo and Karen Offereins from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy lead the Junior Land Stewards on a guided hike through the Golden Gate Recreation Area (GGNRA). Along the way they learned about the endangered red legged frogs, coyotes, rare indigenous plants, and the SF garter snake. They listened to an interactive story told by Christian and also participated in Sound Mapping and My Secret Plant Activities.

Here we catch a glimpse of Christian Trujillo sharing a story about a San Francisco Garter snake trying to shelter from the rain, the bent tree sacrificing its life to save the snake.

Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards program, as well as the preservation and protection of the critical, shared open space land of the coast (that many people and critters call home).

Junior Land Stewards- Word from the field

The Junior Land Stewards have been busy in the field, as each school has taken its second field trip of the school year- combining open space history, ecosystem learning and journaling observation! 

Students from Hatch and King's Mountain came to Wavecrest Open Space where they explored the 50 acres and participated in 4 journaling activities. These included: I notice, I wonder, It reminds of me; My Secret Plant; Ecosystem Inspection Circles; and Sound Mapping. Students discovered that life is flourishing in the coastal prairie from the pacific tree frogs to the new indigenous plants that are coming up after the rain. 

El Granada students hiked up to the quarry floor at Quarry Park with a guided tour by Barbara Dye who taught them all about the history of their community, school, the Ocean Shore Railroad, as well as how Quarry Park became a protected open space. They then listened to the sounds around them and translated that into a sound map in their nature journals. Their final activity was My Secret Plant where they had to find an object in nature to draw in enough detail that their fellow classmates could find it by only looking at their drawing. 

At Farallone View, 4th graders had special guests Christian Trujillo and Karen Offereins from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy lead them on a guided hike through the GGNRA. Along the way they learned about the endangered red legged frogs, coyotes, rare indigenous plants, and the SF garter snake. They listened to an interactive story told by Christian and also participated in the Sound Mapping and My Secret Plant Activities. What a full afternoon! 

Sound mapping at the Quarry floor with the Junior Land Stewards

The Junior Land Stewards create sound maps as a strategy for slowing down and tuning into the place they are in- broadening beyond their initial visual observations to incorporate the sounds around them. Students must find a spot to sit or stand still for 5 or more minutes. Next they log the sounds around themselves with symbols, colors, and/or words. Sound mapping encourages students to slow down and pay close attention to the detail around them, while connecting them with a better sense of the wider place.

Half Moon Bay High School Art Show- Gallery Event

Thank you to the everyone who came over to check out the incredible work of our own HMBHS Art students at the CLT gallery opening on Friday night. We couldn’t have asked for a better crowd. It is truly an impressive collection of work, featuring scenes from our Coastside- as seen through the eyes of our local students. The show will run through January 2024, so if you could not make it to the opening, please call our office to check our hours and arrange an opportunity to see the show (650) 726-5056.

Donate to support these programs and the critical protection and preservation of our shared open space land.

Voices of the Open Space

With a perspective from Bob Rogers - Executive Director of the Coastside Land Trust… 

As the incoming executive director for the Coastside Land Trust, Bob Rogers has a significant voice in the protection of our shared open space lands. Having served on the CLT board for over 17 years, first as President, then as a member of our Stewardship Committee and Chair of the Administrative Committee, Bob has accumulated valuable experiences and is moving  into his new role as a veteran of the organization with a passion for the protection of the open space. 

Bob has been living here on the coastside since 1978, relocating from San Francisco after some close friends had invited him to experience the HMB pumpkin festival. He recognized this area as a place with a beautiful small town feel on the ocean where he felt a strong sense of community, and thought that this was an ideal location to raise a family. Bob remembers scheming with his brother to buy property here in Half Moon Bay while sitting in a coffee shop that is now ironically the CLT building. In listening to Bob speak about his passion for the Coastside Land Trust it is clear that he is not only called to protect this land we share, but also the programs that connect us all to it- as stewards, outdoor enthusiasts, and community.

What motivating forces moved you to become involved with CLT?

Bob: I began with a citizens grass roots group to save the Railroad Right of Way. This land had historical significance and was beyond the development stream. It was also home to the SF garter snake and the red legged frog. We were committed to preserve this land, and the group that is now CLT invited me to join the board.  

What are the primary reasons that you serve CLT and its mission?

Bob: EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS! These include the Junior Land Stewards, our stewardship team, our work days, tours and webinar series that educate our community and get them involved.  Also the board of directors are my close friends, and the  CLT staff are both encouraging and supportive. I am particularly excited by coastal trail building- as a mountain biker. 

Do you have any hopes for the future of our protected open spaces here on our coast?  

Bob: Continued acquisitions west of highway 1, future connection with the Ohlone-Portolá Heritage trail project and Bay to Sea trail expansion, continued collaboration and growth with staff/ board/ partners/stakeholders.

Are there any other thoughts you want to share?
Bob: Gratitude and thanks to all of our supporters, board members and staff who work together to save our open spaces on our beautiful Coastside. 

Planting Season for the Junior Land Stewards

It’s planting season for the Junior Land Stewards! All of the fourth graders from the four CUSD (Cabrillo Unified School District) elementary schools got to work, planting over 15 different types of California indigenous plant seeds over the past two weeks. The number of plants growing totals over 320, and includes Clarkia, Poppy, Blue Eyed Grass, Buckwheat, Gum Plant, Seaside Daisy, Sneezeweed, Lupine, Iris, and Yarrow…and this is just to name a few. These plants will be measured and observed over the next three months while they grow big enough to be transplanted into the 4th grader's native pollinator gardens. Students will also be documenting the results of their controlled experiments- observing the differences between seeds planted in fertilized vs. unfertilized soil. Students will be learning to make predictions, document the changes ( through observations and measurements in their nature journals) and display their results through graphs and charts. 

Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped plant seeds with these Junior Land Stewards. These volunteers include April Ramos, Robin Arkell, Robin Kirby, Terry Sweeney, Diana Purucker, Barbara Lohman, Barbara Dye, John Zimmer, Larkin Evans, and Rachel Moberg.

Please consider donating to support the Junior Land Stewards Program, so that it may continue to guide our Coastside youth to develop the skills and desire to be life long stewards of our shared open spaces.

Wintering Raptors of Wavecrest

Photograph Credit: Barbara Dye

Wavecrest is the single most important site on the San Mateo Coast for wintering raptors, which can be seen hunting in the property’s broad fields. Raptors and other species rely on its expansive grasslands, wetland areas and roosting sites, all of which are an integral part of the coast’s ecological health. Famous for its variety and numbers of resident and migratory raptors, Wavecrest is the place to see them all, including White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Turkey Vulture; Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed Hawks; American Kestrel and sometimes Merlin, and Peregrine falcons. Occasional sightings of Swainson’s & Rough-legged Hawks; and Prairie Falcon.

Enjoy this recording as renowned international bird guide, Alvaro Jaramillo, returns to share more about our local raptor population, living at the Wavecrest Open Space.

Donate to support the preservation, protection, and enhancement of these local open spaces.

To learn more about Alvaro Jaramillo and his tours, research, and other work, check out: http://alvarosadventures.com

COASTAL CREATIONS- A Half Moon Bay High School Winter Art Show

COASTAL CREATIONS
A Coastside Land Trust Winter Art Show
 

Featuring the work of the Half Moon Bay High School Art Department. Students will share their unique perspectives and artistic interpretations of our Coastside. 
 We are so excited to partner again with Half Moon Bay High School art instructor Sean Riordan to showcase his students' coastal-themed work at our gallery and office. Join us for the Opening & Artists' Reception on Night of Lights, Friday, December 1st from 5-8 pm at the Coastside Land Trust Gallery, 788 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.
The show will run through January 2024, so if you cannot make it to the opening, please call our office to check our hours and arrange an opportunity to see the show (650) 726-5056.

Amphibians And Reptiles Of The Coast, Presented By Dr. Rayna Bell- Webinar Recording

Please enjoy this recording, as the Coastside Land Trust welcomes Dr. Rayna Bell to explore the general biology and ecology (and some of the misconceptions) of reptiles and amphibians- zooming in on what we might see, hear and interact with locally. Dr. Bell is an evolutionary biologist and curator of Herpetology at California Academy of Sciences. Her current research is dedicated to the study and conservation of biological diversity.

Learn more about Dr. Rayna Bell and the Bell Lab: 
https://www.raynacbell.com/raynabell


Learn more about our local amphibians and reptiles and how you can get involved:

https://amphibiaweb.org
https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz
https://www.inaturalist.org
https://californiaherps.com
https://www.citynaturechallenge.org

Donate to support the Coastside Land Trust free webinar programs and the protection and stewardship of our shared open spaces.

Teacher Workshop held at El Granada Elementary

This week the Coastside Land Trust hosted a nature journaling teacher workshop at El Granada Elementary. Seven teachers attended , visiting the 4th grade Native Plant Gardens to journal and observe the last remaining blooms of the season. While in the field , the teachers were visited by a red shouldered hawk. Teachers also took time to connect with the practices and collective wisdom shared from veteran Junior Land Stewards Program teachers and mangers. Teachers received journaling supplies- including "How to Teach Nature Journaling" by John Muir Laws and Emily Lygren.

Junior Land Stewards Prepare Their Garden Plots

The Junior Land Stewards have begun preparing their future planting plots. Led by their Half Moon Bay high school field guides, they have been removing invasive species, and sheet mulching to prepare their habitat restoration gardens for planting in the spring. They have also taken part in naturalist scavenger hunts where they have been looking for birds of prey, native and invasive plants, signs of the fall season, and places where wildlife might live. Frogs, snakes, hawks and a woodpecker were among the many wild animals observed on these trips. This year the Kings Mountain Elementary school fourth graders have joined the Junior Land Stewards field program, taking active part in these field trips to Wavecrest Open Space - in preparation for their future gardens.

Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards Program and the critical protection and stewardship of our shared open space land.

2023 COASTAL CLEANUP RESULTS AND PHOTOS

Thank you to all of you who joined the Coastside Land Trust at our Coastal Cleanup Site. Many hands make for quite an environmental impact…

Coastal Cleanup 2023 | smchealth.org/ccd | pollutionprevention@smcgov.org

Main litter cleanup events were held on September 16th and 23rd, 2023

  • Over 30 cleanup sites in San Mateo County

  • 4,146 volunteers

  • 27,049 lbs of trash and recyclables removed

  • 137 miles cleaned

  • Cleanups took place at parks, along creeks, beaches, and roadsides, in neighborhoods, and even on boats or kayaks at locations like the Foster City Lagoon and the Bair Island Aquatic Center in Redwood City

  • Interesting finds included a wooden carved duck, drone, and crab pot

  • The top littered items removed included a lot of single-use plastics – cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bags, bottles and caps, and small pieces of foam and plastic

  • Environmental Health Services encourages residents to continue to pick up trash on their own time in their neighborhood or with an established group – get involved at smchealth.org/cleanup!

THE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE COAST - WITH DR. RAYNA BELL

THE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE COAST

WITH DR. RAYNA BELL

FREE COMMUNITY WEBINAR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023

10:00AM

The Coastside Land Trust welcomes Dr. Rayna Bell to explore the evolution, ecology, and conservation of local reptiles and amphibians. Dr. Bell is an evolutionary biologist and curator of Herpetology at California Academy of Sciences. Her current research is dedicated to the study and conservation of biological diversity.

Voices Of The Open Space

With a perspective from Amy Lopez - El Granada resident, mother, educator…

“My husband and I moved to the coast in 2006. We knew we needed to be in the Bay Area for work and were advised by friends to live in Half Moon Bay because it was so dog friendly and a charming small town. We only intended to stay a year but loved it so much we decided to stay and raise our daughter here in this wonderful community. Previously, I have jogged and walked through Wavecrest to enjoy a part of the coast that feels special as it feels more remote and not as busy as other places. We have also explored Wavecrest so my daughter could collect tadpoles and say hello to the horses that are nearby. Recently, we attended the Wavecrest Raptor Walk that was arranged by the Coastside Land Trusts, as my daughter is fascinated by animals. The walk was led by a wonderful docent who illuminated how precious a protected place like Wavecrest is, and its importance to raptors. Raptors use the space to hunt as they migrate, which makes the area a wonderful place to observe and appreciate these beautiful creatures. It was explained to us that these bird populations are in decline due to habitat loss. Before the Raptor Walk we enjoyed Wavecrest—but afterwards we walked away awed by how fortunate we are to have such a special protected open space that can be enjoyed by so many. How lucky we are to have had that experience that changed the lens we see the coast with!”

Half Moon Bay High School Students Take To The Field At Wavecrest Open Space

Over the last couple of weeks the AP Environmental Science and Marine Ecology classes from Half Moon Bay High School took to the field in their first trips to Wavecrest Open Space- as part of the Junior Land Stewards Program. CLT hosted a number of experts to speak to the students about the history, ecological issues, geology, plants and birds of the open space. They ended each field trip with a mindful nature journaling practice called soundscape mapping. The high school students learned a lot about this magical place and gained the confidence they will need to lead 4th grade students on their field trips -which start in a few weeks.

Great thanks to the naturalists and speakers who made this such a rich and educational experience for these future high school field guides. Thank you to Malia DeFelice, Ginny Marshall, Sara Polgar, Barbara Dye, and Barbara Lohman. 

Photos by Haley Peterson and Barbara Dye

Wavecrest Coastal Trail Phase 2 Project goes before the HMB Planning Commission 10/10

Many of you know that CLT has been working hard over the past few years on plans for filling the gap in the CA Coastal Trail on the Wavecrest blufftops. This project will build >2.5 miles of multi-use Coastal Trail and connector trails with ocean overlooks and signage, free parking with drinking water and restroom facilities (all ADA accessible) and beach access stairs to enable a broad range of user groups to enjoy the Wavecrest bluffs and Redondo Beach in Half Moon Bay in a safe and environmentally responsible way. In addition to filling the large gap in the Coastal Trail, this project will improve accessibility, and reduce informal access which is causing rapid bluff erosion and damaging sensitive coastal prairie habitat. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

The City of Half Moon Bay Planning Commission will be reviewing this project for a permit on October 10, 2023. The Planning Commission agenda and information are now available: https://www.half-moon-bay.ca.us/314/Planning-Commission-Agendas

Wavecrest Raptor Walk Report

What a day! With a rich diversity of raptors, incredibly knowledgable docents from the Sequoia Audubon Society, and over 100 eager birding enthusiasts, this Saturday was a really special day. Participants traveled in small groups across the Wavecrest’s 50 acres to find Northern Harriers, White Tailed Kites, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks, Cooper’s hawks , Kestrels, and other raptors flying and hunting along the wide expanse of this protected land. The visibility was high, and the morning (that began with a chill) warmed into the sunshine. People of all ages came out to be part of the magic- adults and children alike.

Thank you to Sequoia Audubon Society for another day of raptor magic, as well as the many CLT board members , staff, and the Stewardship Advisory committee members who made this day happen. What an incredible habitat to explore, right here on our coast.

California Coastal Cleanup Day Thanks

Thank you to all of you who showed up at Poplar Beach last Saturday morning to join the Coastside Land Trust for the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. Our volunteers showed up in good numbers to join this important coastal movement to clean our our state’s beaches and waterway. It was a beautiful day, with over 300 pounds of trash collected at our location (much of it in small plastic fragments and cigarette butts found in our local beach wrack). Thank you to Barbara Dye for taking some great photographs. Here are a few photos from the day…

Children are always encouraged to join our cleanup events with their parents and loved ones. Thank you to Sara Polgar (and family) for the great “Trash I-spy” activity that challenged kids to find the hidden trash along our beach…

If you were not able to make it in person, please consider a donation to support the sustained preservation and protection of our coast, and our shared open space land.

Stewardship Advisory Committee in Action

Here are a few recent photos of some of our unsung heroes, who are out frequently monitoring our open space properties throughout the year. Here are also a few photos of the flora found along the way. Last week the monitoring team also documented 26 species of birds, including many Swainson's Thrush, some carrying food.

Donate now to help us protect and monitor these open space lands we all share and love.