Thank you from the Junior Land Stewards Program

Thank you to so many of you for your generosity and continued support. We have met our match to fund our Junior Land Stewards Program for the 2023-24 academic school year. The Junior Land Stewards Program connects the students of the Cabrillo Unified School District with their local open spaces, and guides them in developing the environmental literacy skills and desire to become lifelong stewards of open space. We thank you for your generous donations that will support our next generation of land stewards, as well as the preservation and protection of our coastal open spaces.

If you would still like to make a donation, please click the link below. Thank you.

The Coastside Gives Today…

Today is Coastside Gives Day. Please support the Coastside Land Trust to help us meet our $50,000 goal to fully fund the Junior Land Stewards Program for the 2023-2024 school year. We are fortunate to have received a 50% match of $25,000 from dedicated supporters. Please help us reach this match and meet our goal. The Junior Land Stewards Program connects all of the fourth grade students of the Cabrillo Unified School District with their local open spaces, guiding them in developing the desire and the environmental literacy skills to become lifelong stewards of critical open space.

Please help Coastside Land Trust fund this program by donating through the Coastside Gives portal. DONATE NOW to fund this program and help preserve the lands you love with double impact.

Thank you for your support.

Congratulations to Green Ribbon Schools Award Winners and the Junior Land Stewards Program

Every year, the California Department of Education and U.S. Department of Education hosts the Green Ribbon Schools competition to demonstrate their progress in sustainability: reducing environmental impacts, improving the health and wellness of the school population, and providing sustainability education. This year Cabrillo Unified School District ( CUSD) received the high honor of Silver Green Ribbon Schools recognition at the state level. The CUSD recognition is in part for hiring Sustainability Coordinator, Matthew Spigelman, to help fulfill the district's goals of providing students with quality environmental education, equal opportunities to outdoor education, and living campuses that promote land stewardship and sustainability practices. In addition, CUSD is being recognized for the work of the Coastside Land Trust’s Junior Land Stewards Program and the HEAL Project for providing strong environmental programs to its students.

Congratulations to all of the Green Ribbon schools, and to Redwood High School, which received the national highest Green Achiever honor for sustainability integration into campus, community, curriculum, and culture.

Junior Land Stewards Program complete their year of stewardship and learning

After a year of stewardship and service, the Junior Land Stewards have recently returned to the gardens where they had planted their seedlings. They added final field observations to their nature journals, and shared in the joy of spring together. The Junior Land Stewards have also received their certificates of completion for their accomplishments this year.

Please enjoy this video created by Haley Peterson, Junior Land Stewards Program manager:

Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards and the critical protection and stewardship of our shared open spaces at www.coastsidelandtrust.org/donate

Junior Land Stewards teachers take to the field

The fourth grade teachers of the Junior Land Stewards program headed out to the Moss Beach bluffs to develop and practice their nature journaling techniques, while in the field. Unsurprisingly, these teachers shared that this is their favorite professional development workshop and are requesting more for next year! Lucky teachers, lucky students.Thank you to the Land Trust Alliance for making this possible.

Donate now to support the Junior Land Stewards Program’s students and teachers through Coastside Gives…

Photo credit: Barbara Lohman

Junior Land Stewards 2022/2023 Year in Review- Slideshow

The Junior Land Stewards Program has wrapped up another incredible school year with all fourth grade students from Alvin Hatch, El Granada, Farallone View, and Kings Mountain elementary schools. Enjoy this slideshow sharing a glimpse of their learning and the work they've done. What a rich year of developing the skills and desire to become lifetime stewards of the land.

Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards and the critical protection and stewardship of our shared open spaces at www.coastsidelandtrust.org/donate

Nature Journaling with Coastal Wildflower Day

Thank you to everyone who came out to see us yesterday, to do some nature journaling and learn about the Coastal trail extension. A good time was had by friends of all ages- amidst the mist. Special thanks to Elexis Padron for sharing her nature journaling expertise.

Donate now to help us protect the land and programs that you love.

Touring the Purisima Old Town Site with the Coastside Land Trust once again…

Participants joined the Coastside Land Trust at the Purisima Old Town Site last Saturday morning for two small, docent-led tours. These walking tours shared the history and ecology of one of the oldest Half Moon Bay coastside towns that has since disappeared. Groups explored the indigenous and more recent history, the geological formation, and the flora and fauna currently thriving in this protected space. Descendants from Henry Dobbel, who once owned a mansion that covered much of this land also attended this tour- committing to learning more about this space, and to sharing what they have learned.

Great thanks to Barbara Dye, Barbara Lohman, Robin Kirby, and Jo Chamberlain who shared a great wealth of information. Treats were served, thanks to Leah Henning and April Ramos. All enjoyed a beautiful morning amidst the abundant life of this protected land.

Relatives of Henry Dobbel

This event filled up quickly, and if you were bummed to have missed it, never fear- we have two more tour dates scheduled for July…

Junior Land Stewards Hard At Work

 The Junior Land Stewards have been busy, both inside and outside of the classroom. They have been exploring their local wild spaces, tending to their gardens, dissecting flowers to learn about their parts, and discovering nature’s treasures along the way. The flowers for dissection were donated by Safeway and Blue House Farm. 

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

Coastside Bugs with Dr. Stephanie Dole- Free Community Webinar Recording

Enjoy this Coastside Land Trust webinar recording, as we welcome Dr. Stephanie Dole (The Beetlelady) to present about the biodiversity, ecological roles, and the importance of our local bugs, as well as how they are connected to the greater world. Dr. Dole is an eminent scientist who delights learners of all ages with her knowledge, curiosity, and enthusiasm. She has traveled around the globe to conduct her research, and has been educating the public about insects since 1997.

Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Dole at www.beetlelady.com. Here you can learn more about upcoming events, view past virtual talks, and ask your entomological questions.

Check out these links referenced within the presentation:

• https://www.pbs.org/show/deep-look/

• Insects of North America/ John C and Kendra Abbott

• Field Guide to Beetles of California/ Arthur V. Evans,James N. Hogue

• Common Spiders of North America/ Sarah Rose

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

Coastside Gives- Early Giving

Please help the Coastside Land Trust meet our $50,000 goal to fully fund our Junior Land Stewards Program for academic year 2023-24. We are fortunate to have received a 50% match of $25,000 from dedicated supporters. Please help us reach this match and meet our goal. The Junior Land Stewards Program connects the students of the Cabrillo Unified School District with their local open spaces, and guides them in developing the environmental literacy skills and desire to become lifelong stewards of open space.

Please help Coastside Land Trust fund this program by donating at Coastside Gives to fund this program and help preserve the lands you love with double impact.

Coastside Bugs Free Community Webinar

Coastside Bugs with Dr. Stephanie Dole

Free Community Webinar

Saturday, March 11, 2023

10:00am

Join the Coastside Land Trust as we welcome Dr. Stephanie Dole to present about the biodiversity, ecological roles, and the importance of our local insects, as well as how they are connected to the greater world. Dr. Dole is an eminent scientist who delights learners of all ages with her knowledge, curiosity, and enthusiasm. She has traveled far and wide to conduct her research, and has been educating the public about insects since 1997.

Junior Land Stewards Planting

After many months growing their indigenous plants from seed, the Junior Land Stewards took to the field to plant their seedlings into the open space near each of their respective schools. The fourth graders did all of this under the guidance of the Half Moon Bay High School Science field guides. Although the fields were very wet and muddy, the students persevered and got all of their plants into the ground. Students will return later in the school year to tend to their plots and observe the changes.

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

Thank you to the Wavecrest work day volunteers

Thank you to the dedicated crew of volunteers who made for another successful Wavecrest work day yesterday! These volunteers removed a great amount of teasel, bristly ox-tongue, cape ivy, and mustard. This will allow for the indigenous grasses of the area (such as the rushes) to grow and expand. Our youngest volunteers also ducked between these plants and bushes to remove many buckets full of trash.

If you were not able to make this work day event please keep an eye out for the next one. It is a wonderful way to do good work, while sharing time outside with good people.

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Please donate to preserve and help us to steward the shared open space lands that we all value…

Join us for a Wavecrest Work Day this Saturday

Wavecrest Workday 
February 11
10:00 am – Noon

Join us this weekend on the coastal prairie for a habitat restoration workday at Wavecrest Open Space. Come one, come all! There is much work to be done, and people of all ages are welcome and encouraged. Meet at the Smith Field Ballparks at the west end of Wavecrest Road in Half Moon Bay. Wear boots and good outer layers, as it might be a bit wet. We have the gloves, tools, and snacks. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

[Directions to Wavecrest Road]

2022 in Review

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.

Mike Kimsey

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.

Terry Sweeney

Sara Polgar

Leah Henning

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.

Junior Land Stewards Updates

Students completed their soil labs, learning about the general properties and then examining, testing and comparing the soil from their gardens.  The students worked as a group to come up with the percentages of the soil composition and compared the results to a soil texture diagram, using mathematical tools and skills.

Students are preparing to take to the fields to plant their seedlings into the ground of their gardens.  Lots of excitement and anticipation. We will share pictures of these student gardens once the students have done their work.

Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws- Webinar recording

Enjoy this Coastside Land Trust webinar recording, as we welcome John Muir Laws. Laws explores how to use nature journaling to engage curiosity, enhance observation, and focus our attention, observations, and experiences in the field.
 John Muir Laws is a naturalist, artist, and educator who has dedicated his work to connect people to nature through art and science. Laws has written and illustrated several books including The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling (2016), The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds (2012), Sierra Birds: a Hiker’s Guide (2004), The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada (2007), and The Laws Pocket Guide Set to the San Francisco Bay Area (2009). He is a regular contributor to Bay Nature magazine with his “Naturalists Notebook” column, and a research associate for the California Academy of Science. Laws is also the president and founder of the Wild Wonder Foundation , which is dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community.

Learn more about John Muir Laws at www.johnmuirlaws.com. Here you can view tutorials and see his materials suggestions. You can also order his books and resources, and follow along with his upcoming events calendar.

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

Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws- Free community webinar

Nature Journaling With John Muir Laws

Free Community Webinar

Saturday, January 28, 2023

10:00am

Join the Coastside Land Trust for this free community webinar, as we welcome John Muir Laws. He will explore how to use nature journaling to engage curiosity, enhance observation, and focus our attention, observations, and experiences in the field.
 John Muir Laws is a naturalist, artist, and educator who has dedicated his work to connect people to nature through art and science. Laws has written and illustrated several books including The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling (2016), The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds (2012), Sierra Birds: a Hiker’s Guide (2004), The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada (2007), and The Laws Pocket Guide Set to the San Francisco Bay Area (2009). He is a regular contributor to Bay Nature magazine with his “Naturalists Notebook” column, and a research associate for the California Academy of Science.

When it Rains it POURS

With all of this rain, these Junior Land Stewards garden plots of Wavecrest Open Space have been getting quite a drink. While the CUSD fourth grade seedlings are steadily growing in their greenhouses and cold frames, these rains are bringing the necessary moisture to prepare the ground for all the plantings the students will soon do. The Junior Land Stewards are preparing to plant their indigenous seedlings into their plots in early February.