The Junior Land Stewards kicked off their orientation with an action-packed morning at Wavecrest Open Space. Half Moon Bay High School AP Environmental Science and Marine Ecology students explored 50 acres of coastal habitat while soaking up knowledge from local experts. In just under two hours, they rotated through four immersive mini-sessions, each building on the last as students examined different parts of the coastal environment. All of this preparation helps them become field guides for the local 4th-grade students participating in the Junior Land Stewards program.
Guest speakers shared their expertise with energy and enthusiasm. Sara Polgar COO from CLT introduced trail building, fuel reduction, and land stewardship. Malia DeFelice led students in the art of birding, while Elexis Padron encouraged them to use all their senses in nature journaling. Finally, Barbara Dye and Barbara Lohman wove together the rich history, geology, and ecology of the open space, highlighting both native and invasive plants.
The students eagerly took notes in their field notebooks, asked thoughtful questions, and explored the property with curiosity and care. By the end of the morning, they had not only learned a tremendous amount but also gained a deeper connection to the natural world they’ll help protect as Junior Land Stewards.
The birds stole the show—students spotted white-tailed kites, northern harriers, American kestrels, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, and even an American barn owl. Along the coast, hundreds of seabirds were in a feeding frenzy, including elegant terns, gulls, cormorants, western grebes, and pelicans. Smaller feathered friends like black phoebes, Bewick’s wrens, California towhees, Townsend’s warblers, and goldfinches delighted aspiring birders. But the discoveries didn’t stop in the air—students also encountered praying mantises, a shamrock orbweaver spider, voles, other rodents, and even owl pellets.
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.