2022 was a year of program growth, expanding educational outreach, and a great returning to the field (in our stewardship and monitoring, as well as work days and field events). There is much to be grateful for in this past year, and we are thankful to all our or loyal donors and supporters who make the important work of the Coastside Land Trust possible. Here are a few of our successes and highlights from 2022…

stewardship and monitoring

The Stewardship Advisory Committee took to the field to conduct biological and other environmental monitoring of all of our properties and conservation easements, documenting and reporting the recent changes in this open space land. They also worked to remove invasive plants and saplings to maintain and support the health of the coastal prairie. Several members of this stewardship team also supported and worked alongside our youngest stewards within the Junior Land Stewards program.

In-person events are back

We have returned to in-person public events. This year these included a raptor walk with Sequoia Audubon Society, several work days, and a Coastal Trail expansion informational event. Thank you to all of the volunteers who have shown up to help on our Wavecrest work days. A big shout out to Sara Polgar and our Stewardship Advisory Committee for organizing the work days, and to the dedicated volunteers and members of our excellent CLT board who came out to tend to our shared open spaces.

Junior land stewards program

This year has been one of significant growth for the Junior Land Stewards Program, under the direction of Haley Peterson. This program is dedicated to connecting students of the Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) with their local open spaces, guiding them in developing the environmental literacy skills and desire to become life-long stewards of open space. Fourth graders of Alvin Hatch, El Granada, and Farallone View elementary schools participated in weekly nature journaling and lab work in their classrooms. They learned about the local plants and animals, as well as about soil health, and the earth’s systems. Students took multiple field trips to their local open spaces to observe, learn, and ultimately prepare and plant their own indigenous pollinator gardens. Half Moon Bay high school science students were trained as guides for the the field portion of this program. These high school students also trained in nature journaling. They traveled to Wavecrest open space in one of their training sessions to learn about what lives and and grows there, as well as the history of this area. The CUSD fourth grade teachers also took part in a multi-week nature journaling workshop, run by natural and cultural resource interpreter, Elexis Padron.

coastal trail extension

We have begun phase two of the Coastal Trail Extension. Many thanks to those who donated to this trail extension in honor of Ryan Popple, as well as other donors who are passionate about this shared open space trail that will be accessible for all. This project will feature stairs down to the beach and a small bathroom and trash facility. Check out this video to see what you can expect…

community webinars

Our free community webinar series has continued providing an opportunity for all to share in the learning of our local environment. Local botanist and author, Toni Corelli, explored the history of botanical exploration along the San Mateo coast, as well as our local wetland plants. International bird guide, Alvaro Jaramillo, returned by popular demand to teach about birds of the San Mateo coast. Grey Hayes presented about the life, history, health, and management techniques of the coastal prairie. Sarah Caso and Dr. Gordon Frankie of the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab shared about native bees and their efforts to support population growth. Stephanie Frischie, of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation also discussed the ecology of soil health and management strategies to increase beneficial microbial populations.

goats on the move

In June the large herd of over 200 restoration goats came from Star Creek Land Stewards, working with the Coastside Land Trust and the City of Half Moon Bay as a part of a planned grazing project. These goats are effective at eating fire fuel, aerating the soil, fertilizing the ground, and encouraging the growth of native plant species. This results in a reduction in wildfire danger, improved soil fertility, and an increase in the diversity of native perennial grasses. This process is also good for the environment, as it doesn't require petroleum products or chemicals of any kind.

abundant grace

The Coastside Land Trust wishes to share our gratitude for the Abundant Grace Coastside Worker program. Abundant Grace engages people experiencing homelessness, and these workers have been cleaning our coastal trail. Their monthly Wavecrest cleanups have removed thousands of pounds of trash from our shared open spaces.

land aquisition

It was year of steady growth in land acquisitions and easements. Check out this map comparing CLT properties and easements in 2008 vs 2022.

2022 Map

2008 Map

TRANSITIONS

This year we said goodbye to founder and longtime board member, Mike Kimsey. With tremendous gratitude for his tireless commitment to open space over all these year, we wish him well in his retirement.

We have welcomed Sara Polgar and Terry Sweeney to our board of directors, bringing with them a passion for protecting and caring for our open spaces and for helping people to enjoy and connect with these special places. Leah Henning also joined our team, as the office manager. She has been carefully keeping all of our events running smoothly and projects on time.

demonstration garden

The demonstration garden has been revived, thanks to the work of Haley Peterson. Swing by our office at 788 Main Street in Half Moon Bay and check out all of the indigenous plants growing there.

make a donation

As we move into the next year, please consider donating to support all of this critical land preservation, protection, education and stewardship done by the Coastside Land Trust.

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