Tune In on Giving Tuesday: Coastside Land Trust on KHMB Radio

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to tune in to KHMB Radio (104.3 FM) on December 2 from 1:00- 2:00 pm for a special conversation highlighting the work your support makes possible. Coastside Land Trust Board President Barbara Lohman, Executive Director Bob Rogers, and Junior Land Stewards Manager Haley Peterson will be on air sharing updates from across our organization.

They’ll discuss the progress of the Wavecrest Trail expansion, our year-round stewardship and restoration efforts, and the impact of the CUSD Junior Land Stewards program, where students connect deeply with coastal ecosystems through hands-on learning. You’ll also hear about our community education offerings—from guided walks and webinars to nature journaling sessions that help people of all ages build a relationship with the land.

We hope you’ll join us on KHMB this Giving Tuesday to learn more about the work happening across our Coastside and the partnerships that keep it thriving.

Celebrating Art, Wildlife, and the Coastside: New Local Clothing and Gifts by Our Very Own Sara Polgar

It’s not every day that an organization can say its Chief Operating Officer is also an insanely talented artist—but (we hate to brag, but…) we can! This season, we’re celebrating the creative work of our own Sara Polgar, who has transformed some of the Coastside’s most iconic wildlife into truly beautifully illustrated designs.

She’s teamed up with a local printing agency to bring this artwork to life as a new line of Coastside swag—thoughtful, high-quality gifts that totally honor the land, the species we love, and the community that helps protect them.

These designs feel both personal and deeply local—perfect for fellow nature lovers who live on, visit, or love our Coastside. Needless to say, our staff has already been shopping for our loved ones (and ourselves!) for the holidays.

See some examples from the collection featured below - including some of our favorite local fauna. These include:

• The majestic raptor (of course!)

• The elusive long-tailed weasel, captured in all of its quick, curious charm

• A coastal bat, an important and often overlooked member of our ecosystem

You can also click the button below to view the full collection.

Stunning Raptors from the Wavecrest Walk- Thank you Donna Pomeroy!

White Tailed Kite- hovering with that unmistakable poise - Photo credit: Donna Pomeroy

Last weekend’s Wavecrest Raptor Walk gave us one of those wonderful Coastside mornings when the weather allows for many of us to come together to witness a whole lot of raptor magic. We’re thrilled to share three beautiful photographs captured by Donna Pomeroy on that morning, each one highlighting the grace and power of our local birds of prey at Wavecrest Open Space. Thank you to Donna for sharing these incredible photos!

American Kestrel - Photo credit: Donna Pomeroy

American Kestrel - tiny, fierce, and absolutely radiant in the coastal sun - Photo credit: Donna Pomeroy

Northern Harrier - Photo credit: Donna Pomeroy

Northern Harrier - sweeping low over the prairie in classic harrier style- Photo credit: Donna Pomeroy

These images remind us why protecting places like Wavecrest matters so deeply. During this season of giving and generosity, we hope you will consider supporting the work that protects these lands and animals that we all cherish.

Fourth Grade Teachers Kick Off the Year With Connection and Reflection

This Monday the fourth grade teachers joined Coastside Land Trust staff members Elexis Padrón and Haley Peterson for the first Junior Land Stewards teacher training of the year. It was a thoughtful, energizing session—one that showcased how much heart and intention these educators bring to their students every day.

They discussed both the joys and challenges of guiding students through the JLS program, providing valuable feedback that will help strengthen the experience for their classrooms. They also practiced slowing down with a journaling exercise focused on seeing the world from different perspectives—an activity that translates far beyond environmental education into many areas of life.

Their conversation naturally explored mental health, sources of inspiration, and what brings them joy. Seeing them share so openly was a powerful reminder of the care they hold for their students and for the broader community.

Connecting in this way—over shared values, curiosity, and the desire to create meaningful learning experiences—is at the heart of Coastside Land Trust’s mission to protect and preserve open space for future generations. By fostering these connections and supporting educators, we help students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world, inspiring the next generation of stewards for our coast and lands.

Thank you to the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, Cabrillo Unified School District, Granada Community Service District, and everyone who has donated to support of this program.

If you would like to help this program continue to grow, please consider making a donation to support the Junior Land Stewards and the ongoing protection and stewardship of our precious open spaces.

Another GREAT Raptor Walk

Last Saturday’s Raptor Walk at Wavecrest was a beautiful morning to be out on the coast. Under clear skies, 87 participants set out in small groups and spotted White-tailed Kites, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels and other raptors and other birds that make their winter home in Wavecrest’s open grasslands.

Huge thanks to the San Mateo County Bird Alliance guides for sharing their expertise, and to everyone who came out—your curiosity and enthusiasm are what make this annual walk so special.

Also a huge shout out to Sara Polgar, and to everyone who has been working tirelessly to complete the Wavecrest Trail Extension that makes this walk even more incredible and accessible to all!

Wavecrest remains one of the most important wintering habitats for raptors on the San Mateo Coast, and your support helps protect this landscape year after year. If you joined us, please note that the event fee goes directly toward paying our guides. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help us care for this place and continue offering programs like the Raptor Walk.

November 18 Wavecrest Trail Update: Hydroseeding Progress and Preparing for More Rain

Construction and restoration work at the Wavecrest site continues, with significant progress made ahead of another round of seasonal rain. Following last week’s efforts to stabilize the blufftops and seed newly contoured restoration areas, crews focused on completing hydroseeding and erosion-control measures across both sides of the ravine.

On the south side, hydroseeding went especially well. The contractor successfully applied a mix of native seeds, mulch, water, and nutrients to encourage quick vegetation growth and long-term soil stability. This application will help protect the restoration area during the coming storms and support the return of healthy coastal plant communities.

The north side of the ravine also saw important restoration work this week. Crews wrapped up seeding, installed straw mulch, and placed additional wattles to slow runoff and prevent further erosion. These final touches were timed carefully to take advantage of the moist conditions that help seeds establish while minimizing potential storm impacts.

Coming Up NEXT:

As more rain is forecast, on-site activity will slow while the restoration areas benefit from the natural watering. Once conditions begin to dry out, the contractor will install a removable wooden bollard at the end of Redondo Beach Road. This bollard will prevent non-construction vehicles from driving onto the trail, helping protect the work zone and keep the area safe for the community.

Thank you for following along and supporting the continued progress of this project. Each step brings us closer to improved trail access, stabilized bluffs, and long-term ecological health for this cherished stretch of coastline. Let’s hope the rain gives our newly seeded areas a good jumpstart!

Junior Land Stewards Are Planting Their Seeds!

Recently our Junior Land Stewards have been diving deeper into hands-on ecological learning—beginning their discoveries of how native plants grow, how to track data like scientists, and how their work directly supports the wildlife that shares our coastal home.

Each student selects one native plant species to focus on, learning about its growing needs and the ways it benefits local pollinators and other wildlife. To better understand how plants respond to different conditions, students set up a simple experiment: they plant seeds in two pots—one with added fertilizer and one without—and make predictions about what might happen as the plants mature. Throughout the project, they practice documenting observations using consistent methods, helping them gather accurate data over time.

As their seedlings begin to sprout, students are introduced to graphing and tables, learning how to represent growth trends and comparisons in their nature journals. These early data-collection skills help them communicate what they’re seeing and build confidence as young environmental scientists.

With more than 20 native plant species to choose from, students are cultivating a rich diversity of plants that will grow into thriving pollinator gardens. Hatch and King’s Mountain students will later plant their seedlings at Coastside Land Trust’s 50 acres in Wavecrest Open Space. Meanwhile, students at El Granada and Farallone View nurture habitat gardens on their own school campuses.

Over the years, Junior Land Stewards have expanded these gardens, creating healthy spaces that provide food and shelter for local wildlife. All seeds used in the program are collected directly from Coastside Land Trust properties, ensuring each new plant is deeply rooted in its home ecosystem.

Thank you to the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, Cabrillo Unified School District, Granada Community Service District, and everyone who contributed during Coastside Gives for their generous support of this program.

If you would like to help this program continue to grow, please consider making a donation to support the Junior Land Stewards and the ongoing protection and stewardship of our precious open spaces.

Wavecrest Trail Extension Update: Restoration, Hydroseeding, and Parking

Work at the Wavecrest construction site has slowed due to recent rain, but steady progress continues on key elements of the project. Over the past two weeks, the contractor focused on building the second (western) parking lot and restoring eroded blufftops on the south side of the ravine.

Soil excavated from the new parking lot area was repurposed for the blufftop restoration site—about 0.3 acres where topsoil had previously washed away. After shaping the terrain for proper drainage, the team seeded the area with a native coastal mix and installed straw wattles to help prevent erosion ahead of last week’s storms.

This week will be a shorter construction week as more rain is expected. The south bluff restoration area is being hydroseeded—a process that sprays a slurry of water, native seed, mulch, and nutrients to quickly establish vegetation and stabilize the soil. The mixture may include a biodegradable colored dye, which helps crews see where the seed mix has been applied; the color fades naturally over time and is completely compostable.

Meanwhile, the contractor will begin connecting the existing casual path to the redwood crib wall structure, creating a temporary route for informal beach access from the south side. This interim path will remain in place until construction begins on the permanent south staircase, anticipated to start in January.

As always, thank you for your continued patience and support as this exciting project nears completion—bringing improved access and restored habitats to our beloved coastal landscape.

Wavecrest Bioblitz Gratitude

Thank you to the San Mateo County Bird Alliance, and to everyone who came out to the Wavecrest Open Space Bioblitz on such a beautiful day yesterday! Together, we explored, observed, and recorded the many species that call this area home—an effort that helps us better understand and care for this coastal habitat.

Participants documented a wide range of plants and animals, including several bird species such as American kestrels, northern harriers, white-tailed kites, red-shouldered hawks, turkey vultures, meadowlarks, and a variety of sparrows. They also identified a breadth of native plants (including plants like soap plant, yarrow, and California buckwheat) along with a diverse list of Invertebrates and unique galls.

This event also comes as the Wavecrest Trail Extension nears completion. Though construction is still underway, the trail extension is already helping visitors connect more closely with these vibrant habitats within these shared open spaces that the Coastside Land Trust works hard to preserve and steward.

Thank you to the San Mateo County Bird Alliance for organizing this event and giving our community the opportunity to come together to explore and document the life of this shared open space.

Wavecrest Raptor Walk with San Mateo County Bird Alliance (Formerly Sequoia Audubon Society)

Join us as we explore our local overwintering raptor population. Wavecrest Open Space 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, wetlands, and roosting sites. Wavecrest is the place to see many raptors, including White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers, Owls, Turkey Vultures, Sharp-shinned/ Cooper's/ Red- tailed/ Rough-legged Hawks, American Kestrels and Falcons.

We will tour the open space preserve in small groups, each led by a docent from the San Mateo County Bird Alliance.

Cost: $15

Please watch Raptors of Wavecrest with Alvaro Jaramillo to prepare for this walk. It will provide a significant background and education on local raptors.

Photo Credit: Steve Maller and Alvaro Jaramillo

Photo credit- Steve Maller and Alvaro Jaramillo

Wavecrest Bioblitz happening this Saturday!

Word from the fields with the Junior Land Stewards

Over these last couple of weeks, all of our Junior Land Stewards from each of the Cabrillo elementary schools got to spend a day caring for their garden plots and the land around them with energy, teamwork, and curiosity. Together, the students cleared away piles of invasive plants—bristly oxtongue, wild radish, field mustard, English plantain, Bermuda grass, and curly dock. This simple but important work gives their future pollinator gardens a better chance to thrive. By removing these plants before they go to seed, the students also help protect the surrounding landscape from further spread over the winter.

To build on their restoration work, the Junior Stewards carefully sheet mulched their garden plots—layering cardboard and mulch to protect the soil and help prevent new weeds from sprouting.

After their stewardship efforts, Half Moon Bay High School field guides led the students in a naturalist scavenger hunt, encouraging them to slow down and look closely. The 4th graders searched for birds of prey, native and invasive plants, and signs of wildlife preparing for the cooler months ahead. They recorded their discoveries in nature journals, beginning a practice of observation that will grow each time they visit these open spaces through the changing seasons.

All elementary schools in the Cabrillo Unified School District take part in the Junior Land Stewards Program, totaling 188 fourth graders who are learning what it means to care for the coastside—one small act at a time.

Highlights from the day included:

• Watching a Cooper’s Hawk catch a rodent

• Spotting the first mushrooms of the season

• Welcoming the first migrating monarchs

• Observing overwintering raptors such as White-tailed Kites and Northern Harriers

• Noticing how previous Junior Land Stewards’ pollinator gardens continue to flourish

We’re grateful to the students, teachers, and field guides who make this program possible. Their collective efforts remind us that stewardship begins with connection—learning to notice, care for, and celebrate the living world right here in our community.

Thank you to the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, Cabrillo Unified School District, Granada Community Service District, and everyone who contributed during Coastside Gives for their generous support of this program.

If you would like to help this program continue to grow, please consider making a donation to support the Junior Land Stewards and the ongoing protection and stewardship of our precious open spaces.

Happy Halloween from the Coastside Land Trust!

While we Coastsiders are busy pulling on wigs and wings, nature’s trick-or-treaters have been in costume all year. Out in the Wavecrest Open Space there are a number of contenders for best-dressed. Two of the “Creepiest and Most Beautiful” are the banded garden spider and the anise swallowtail caterpillar.

The banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata) spins its web in tall grasses, decked out in bold black, white, and gold stripes—like it just walked off the set of Arachnids of the Caribbean. Its striking pattern is part fashion statement, part stealth technology. Those bands help the spider disappear into sunlight and shadow while waiting for a passing meal to stumble into its sticky masterpiece. This is like nature’s version of a haunted house!

Meanwhile, the anise swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio zelicaon) goes for something brighter—lime green with black-and-yellow stripes, like a piece of Halloween taffy come to life. But beware this sweet disguise: when threatened, the caterpillar pops out a tiny orange forked organ (called an osmeterium) from behind its head and releases a surprisingly pungent smell. It’s equal parts “boo!” and “pew!”

Both of these creatures remind us that our local gardens, meadows, and trails are full of tiny marvels and spooky surprises. Every web, leaf, and coyote brush holds a story of survival, adaptation, and transformation.

So as you wander past any of our shared open spaces on the coast this week, keep an eye out—you might just meet the original masters of disguise, always dressed to impress for the season.

Happy haunting, and happy habitat-watching!

Wavecrest Trail Extension Update: South Staircase and Restoration Progress

The past few weeks have brought steady progress—and a few weather delays—at the Wavecrest construction site…

Week 11:
The contractor began work at the location of the future south staircase, constructing a sturdy supporting crib wall made of redwood beams. This structure will form the foundation of the new stairway. Please note that there is no beach access from the south side of the ravine at this time. Visitors should follow the newly built Coastal Trail around the ravine to reach the beach from the north side. Updated maps are available online and onsite to help guide your route.

Week 12:
Rain early in the week slowed construction, but the crew completed the carpentry work on the redwood crib wall, reinforcing the base of the future south staircase.

Week 13:
This was a big week for both access improvements and habitat restoration. The construction team laid down compacted gravel to winterize the new beach access way on the north side of the ravine—an area that once contained a large eroded gully that has now been repaired. Beach access remains closed from the south side—please continue to use the Coastal Trail detour to reach the north beach access point.

Meanwhile, on the blufftops above, the restoration area was seeded with native coastal prairie and scrub species, raked, mulched with weed-free straw, and covered with jute netting to stabilize the soil. This work will encourage regrowth of healthy native habitat where casual trails had previously caused erosion.

Coming Up Next Week…

The contractor will begin excavating the footprint of the second parking lot. The soil from that work will be used to rebuild and stabilize bare areas on the blufftops above the future stairway on the south side of the ravine.

Expect increased truck activity for a couple of days. If you’re visiting Wavecrest, please follow all directions from construction crews and Coastside Land Trust volunteers to ensure safe trail access.

As always, thank you for your patience and enthusiasm as this transformative project continues to take shape—connecting our community to the coast while restoring and protecting the habitats that make this landscape so special.

Coastal Prairies: The Redwoods Beneath Your Feet- Webinar Recording and Resources…

Please enjoy this recording, as ecologists Cleopatra Tuday and Mel Preston team up to discuss one of their favorite ecosystems, coastal prairies. Join us as we all nerd out on wildflowers, perennial grasses, and grassland obligate wildlife. They'll also discuss threats facing remnant coastal prairies and examples of stewardship projects to help our coastal grasslands thrive for generations to come.
Special thanks to San Mateo County Bird Alliance for supporting the Wavecrest Stewardship Plan, which is in progress right now, with the help of Mel Preston. It will focus on stewardship of grassland birds and their coastal prairie habitat at Wavecrest!
Thank you also so much to our presenters for these resources to help us learn and connect more: 
Guide to the Pasture Plants of Coastal San Mateo County- Beautifully illustrated by Mel Preston
MROSD Burrowing Owl and Badger Habitat Suitability Study
North American bird declines (3 Billion birds lost since 1970, grassland birds hit hard)
Grasshopper Sparrow article in Grasslands journal (CNGA, page 10)

If you are able please help to support the important work of the Coastside Land Trust as we preserve, protect, and steward our shared open spaces (including these vital grasslands)—by donating at: coastsidelandtrust.org/donate

Coastal Prairies: The Redwoods Beneath Your Feet - Free Community Webinar

Coastal Prairies: The Redwoods Beneath Your Feet

Presented by Cleopatra Tuday and Mel Preston 

This Saturday, October 25, 2025

10:00 AM
Free Community Webinar

Ecologists, Cleopatra Tuday and Mel Preston are teaming up to discuss one of their favorite ecosystems... Coastal Prairies. Did you know that California's coastal prairies are one of the rarest and most biodiverse ecosystems in North America? Although their short stature may fool you, coastal prairies form old-growth communities just like redwood forests! Join us as we nerd out on wildflowers, perennial grasses, and grassland obligate wildlife. We'll also discuss threats facing remnant coastal prairies and examples of stewardship projects to help our coastal grasslands thrive for generations to come.

Artwork by Mel Preston

Connecting with Nature at Wavecrest: A POST Adventure

On October 11, Coastside Land Trust was delighted to welcome a group of young explorers from the East Palo Alto Center for their first Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) Adventure at Wavecrest Open Space. About 23 children joined us for a morning of hands-on nature discovery and creativity.

Led by our Education Coordinator, Haley, the students took part in a nature journaling session and a coastal scavenger hunt, engaging all their senses as they observed plants, wildlife, and the beauty of the coastal landscape. The activity encouraged the children to slow down, notice details, and express their observations through art and writing.

This outing was one of three POST/EPA Adventures designed to connect youth from East Palo Alto with the natural spaces of the Peninsula. During each adventure, the participants also spend time taking photographs—capturing moments of curiosity, wonder, and joy in the outdoors.

Their collective work will be featured in an art show this December, celebrating their creative perspectives and deepening appreciation for the environment.

Coastside Land Trust is proud to partner with POST in inspiring the next generation of nature stewards through these meaningful coastal experiences

October 8 Update: Wavecrest Trail Extension Update on the Stairway and Trail Connection

This week, the construction crew made significant progress at the Wavecrest Ravine site. They are stabilizing a large gully where the north staircase will eventually be installed. For now, this repaired area is also serving as the temporary construction access route down to the beach, allowing the team to begin work on the south staircase, which must be built first.

On the north side of the ravine, the crew successfully completed all restoration work, carefully reusing stockpiled soil from the trail excavation to restore the surrounding habitat.

Coming Up Next Week…

Work will shift to the south side of the ravine, where the contractor will begin building a supporting crib wall made of redwood beams—forming the sturdy foundation for the future south stairway.

Please note: there will be no beach access from the south side during construction. Visitors can continue to reach the beach by following the newly built Coastal Trail around the ravine to the north side.

Check the maps online or posted onsite for updated access routes and to see how this exciting project is taking shape!

High Schoolers Dive into Nature Journaling with Junior Land Stewards

This week, students in Marine Ecology and AP Environmental Science classes spent Monday and Tuesday connecting more deeply with the natural world. Four classes participated, led by teachers Joseph Centoni and Kate Walera, who both teach Marine Ecology and AP Environmental Science.

Some of the students have been part of the Junior Land Stewards (JLS) program before, but for most, this was their first experience! After a warm-up field journaling activity a few weeks ago, Elexis Padrón returned to introduce students to the foundations of nature journaling. Together, they explored how to observe closely, stay intentionally curious, and approach science with a growth mindset.

These new skills aren’t just for the classroom — they’ll help high school students become mentors. Over the school year, they’ll volunteer on four field trips with the Junior Land Stewards Program, guiding 4th graders through hands-on ecology activities and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

Beyond that, these journaling and inquiry-based learning techniques will serve students in their own studies and future careers — building habits of observation, reflection, and curiosity that are at the heart of great science.

Thank you to the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, Cabrillo Unified School District, Granada Community Service District, and everyone who contributed during Coastside Gives for their generous support of this program.

If you would like to help this program continue to grow, please consider making a donation to support the Junior Land Stewards and the ongoing protection and stewardship of our precious open spaces.

A Heartfelt Thank You...

We’d like to give a heartfelt thank-you to John Blackwell, who went above and beyond, and brought his tractor all the way down from the hills to help us recycle mulch from the Wavecrest fuel reduction project, making sure it didn’t go to waste. Thanks to his hard work and generous spirit, that mulch will now be put to great use in our Junior Land Stewards’ habitat restoration gardens—helping native plants thrive and supporting local wildlife.