Nature Journaling Workshops Continue

Great thanks to Elexis Padron for her wisdom and teaching, and to the Coastside Seniors for their collaboration in the second series of nature journaling workshops that took place over these last two weeks. Participants began at the Senior Coastsiders center, learning and practicing with the basic skills and tools. The following week participants traveled to a tree covered spot within the Wavecrest Open Space, next to the Junior Land Stewards gardens. Here participants used flowers from the garden (as well as other biotic and abiotic findings from their immediate surroundings) to evoke Intentional Curiosity and practice their nature journaling techniques.

Donate to support these free community programs, as well as the protection and stewardship of our shared open spaces.

Look who is working on their lunch break...

Stop by and take a look at these goats who are hard at work, munching away in the coastal prairie- just north of the Seymour bridge. This large herd comes from Star Creek Land Stewards, and works 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. They are also beautiful to see along the coastal prairie.

Come over and visit with your family and friends, but please do remember to use caution near the goats, as they are surrounded by electric fencing and hard at work.

Nature Journaling workshops with Senior Coastsiders

Over these last couple of weeks, a group of 13 seniors met to connect with nature and learn how to observe the world around them in a more intentional way. In partnership with Senior Coastsiders, the Coastside Land Trust offered two nature journaling workshops taught by naturalist, Elexis Padron. Within these two sessions, participants learned how to slow down, observe one’s natural environment, and translate those observations into a beautiful nature journal incorporating writing, drawing, numbers, measurements, painting, and even poetry. The first session took place at the Senior Coastsiders center, where participants learned and practiced with the basic skills and tools. The following week participants traveled to Wavecrest Open Space to put these skills into practice in the field.

Participants shared that the sun came out for the field session, and that they saw an abundance of wildlife, including some of the more elusive pacific tree frogs and garter snakes. Another participant shared that she had never spent so much time examining one thing at a time, explaining that these practices have helped her to move beyond a habit of “just taking a photo and moving on.” She has learned how to slow down and become more present in nature.

If you are interested in taking part in a future Nature Journaling workshop with Senior Coastsiders and the Coastside Land Trust please contact Hope Atmore at hatmore@seniorcoastsiders.org. This is a free intergenerational activity, and all are welcome. All supplies will be provided. Space is limited.

Webinar Recording- The Ecology of Soil with Dr. Chelsea Carey

Please enjoy this recording of Ecology of Soil, a Coastside Land Trust free community webinar, featuring Chelsea Carey of Point Blue Conservation Science. Dr. Carey talks about the intricate and fascinating world below our feet. Dr. Carey is the director of Soil Research and Conservation for Point Blue Conservation Science. She develops and leads research projects and partnerships with rangeland management across California and beyond, including local TomKat Ranch. Carey’s research focuses on characterizing soil properties that are relevant to soil health and climate change mitigation, identifying ways that explicit consideration of the soil can improve success of conservation practices.

Learn more about Point Blue Conservation Science. Or you can reach out directly to Dr. Carey with further questions.

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

The Ecology of Soil- Free Community Webinar

Photo credit: Bruno Pereira

THE ECOLOGY OF SOIL

WITH CHELSEA CAREY OF POINT BLUE CONSERVATION SCIENCE

FREE COMMUNITY WEBINAR

SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023

10:00AM

Join the Coastside Land Trust as we welcome Chelsea Carey of Point Blue Conservation Science to talk about the intricate and fascinating world below our feet. Dr. Carey is the director of Soil Research and Conservation for Point Blue Conservation Science. She develops and leads research projects and partnerships with rangeland management across California and beyond, including local TomKat Ranch. Carey’s research focuses on characterizing soil properties that are relevant to soil health and climate change mitigation, identifying ways that explicit consideration of the soil can improve success of conservation practices.

Learn to Nature Journal at Senior Coastsiders

Do you want to connect with nature and learn how to observe the world around you in a more intentional way? In partnership with Senior Coastsiders, the Coastside Land Trust is offering two nature journaling workshops taught by naturalist, Elexis Padron. Elexis will teach how to slow down, observe one’s natural environment and translate those observations into a beautiful nature journal. This will incorporate writing, drawing, numbers, measurements, painting and even poetry. This is a free intergenerational activity, and all are welcome. All supplies will be provided. Sign up now. Space is limited.

WORKSHOP 1: 6/5 (at Senior Coastsiders) and 6/12 (at Wavecrest Open Space), 2:00-4:00pm

WORKSHOP 2: 6/26 (at Senior Coastsiders) and 7/3 (at Wavecrest Open Space), 2:00-4:00pm

If you are interested please contact Hope Atmore at  hatmore@seniorcoastsiders.org.

Photo credit: John Muir Laws

Wavecrest In Bloom

In the words of Grey Hayes, “There is so much spring that it can’t be contained. Flowers are gushing brilliant color everywhere. It is time to get out and about!”

Please enjoy today’s photos taken in the Wavecrest Open Space by Coastside Land Trust’s Stewardship Advisory Board member, Barbara Dye.

What a beautiful place to know and enjoy…

A Wavecrest bouquet

Lindley’s Varied Lupine.(Lupinus variicolor)

California Meadow Barley (Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. californicum)

Donate now to help us protect the lands we all love.

Dr. Grey Hayes Visits Wavecrest Open Space

Last Friday the Coastside Land Trust welcomed Dr. Grey Hayes to tour the 50 acre property of Wavecrest Open Space. The intention of the visit was to take a walk together, make observations and learn. Dr. Hayes is a conservation and restoration ecologist, long focused on ecological restoration and rare plant conservation. During this tour of Wavecrest, Hayes identified a large number of native plants of significance, including California Meadow Barley (hordeum brachyantherum ssp. Californicum), California Oat Grass (danthonia californica), Toad Rush (juncus bufonius), Artist’s Popcorn Flower (plagiobothrys chorisianus), Bearded Clover (trifolium barbigerum), Tomcat Clover (trifolium willdenovii), Flowering Quillwort (lilaea scilloides), and Coyotethistle (eryngium vaseyi).

Dr. Hayes observed the scale and specifics of the plant diversity and speculated that it likely qualifies as Old Growth Grassland, one of the most threatened ecosystems in North America. Old Growth Grasslands are ecologically imperative regions that have been grasslands for a very, very long time. These grasslands have a unique suite of characteristics that develop over this time, and (unless disturbed or developed by humans) they will remain grasslands for many years to come. Secondary grasslands, which have once been tilled or planted with trees, do not have the same species or the same characteristics, and take centuries to redevelop. The Coastside Land Trust is currently researching historical records to determine if this area (although used for livestock pasture at one point) meets the the qualifications for Old Growth Grasslands.

 Tomcat Clover (trifolium willdenovii)- Photographed by Susan Dunn

 California Meadow Barley (hordeum brachyantherum ssp. Californicum) growing in wet areas along the path

Dr. Hayes praised California Oat Grass (danthonia californica) as “the redwood of the prairie.”  This plant can send its roots down 5 feet and live 1000 years. -Photographed by Susan Dunn

Thank you to Susan Dunn for taking impeccable notes along this trip. Also thank you to Robin Kirby for the video footage.

If you would like to learn more about Grey Hayes you can check out his blog and sign up for his newsletter at www.greyhayes.net.

Donate today to support the stewardship, preservation, and protection of our shared open space lands.

Monitoring Open Space Properties

Photo credit: Barbara Dye

The Stewardship Advisory Committee has been hard at work out in the field conducting biological and other environmental monitoring of our properties and conservation easements. In a recent monitoring of Wavecrest Open Space they documented numerous unusual and rare plants, including Brownie Thistle, Coast Button-celery, Popcornflower, and many kinds of Lupin. Off the coast they spotted many hundreds of birds, from Pelicans to Common murres to Whimbrels, emphasizing how important a healthy coastline is to the adjacent environment.

Donate to support the stewardship, preservation, and protection of our shared open space lands.

Thank You To The Hardy Wavecrest Work Day Crew...

Thank you to this crew who showed up to help with the Wavecrest Work Day, on a very wet Saturday. We are grateful for these intrepid weeding warriors.

Donate to support this project, as well as all of the critical land preservation, protection, and stewardship done by the Coastside Land Trust

Join us for a Wavecrest Work Day this Saturday

WAVECREST WORKDAY 
May 6
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]

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.