The Coastside Land Trust team was delighted to host a group of Coast Walk members from the Coastal Trail Asssociation out at the Wavecrest Open Space earlier this week. Thank you to Barbara Dye of our Stewardship committee for sharing the flora and fauna of the region- including an orientation to the native plants and birds within this protected expanse. Thank you also to board member, Sara Polgar for sharing the details of the coastal trail extension, and its plans to improve Wavecrest accessibility, while curbing erosion and rehabilitating the bluff top.
Wavecrest Raptor Walk- with Sequoia Audubon Society
This walk will explore our local overwintering raptor population. Wavecrest 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, seasonal wetlands, and roosting sites. Wavecrest is the place to see many raptors, including White-tailed Kites, Northern Harriers, 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 Sequoia Audubon Society.
Cost: $15
Credit for these incredible photos: Steve Maller and Alvaro Jaramillo
California Coastal Cleanup Day Is Coming Up Soon
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Saturday, September 23, From 9:00 AM - Noon
The Coastside Land Trust is calling all Coastsiders to join us as we come together to clean up our state’s beaches and waterways- to protect our coast and our ocean. All ages encouraged. Invite your friends and neighbors, and PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD.
Where: Poplar Beach at the west end of Poplar Street, Half Moon Bay
When: Saturday, September 23, from 9am - Noon
What to bring: Layered clothing for coastal weather and sun protection
Parking: Parking available at the Poplar Beach parking lot. Parking permits provided.
While you wait for September, you can do your own Coastal Cleanup! Clean up your neighborhood, parks, and local area anytime. Gather cleanup supplies from home, download the CleanSwell app (to count your trash, and to have your trash counted!), and clean on your own time. Trash from inland areas flows downstream to the coast, so cleaning up neighborhood trash prevents marine debris.
Wildlife Photography/ Documentation of Biodiversity Free Webinar
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE DOCUMENTATION OF BIODIVERSITY
WITH DR. PEDRO PELOSO
FREE COMMUNITY WEBINAR
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023
10:00AM
The Coastside Land Trust welcomes Dr. Pedro Peloso, Brazilian field biologist and conservation photographer, as he shares his photographic documentation of biodiversity worldwide. Dr. Peloso's focus has been upon the diversity and evolutionary history of amphibians and reptiles around the world, including the documentation of new, rare and threatened species. Peloso has participated in over 20 scientific expeditions to document this biodiversity, including in South America, Southeast Asia, and India. Through this work Peloso has discovered and named many new species of animals, and published a large number of scientific papers and popular articles covering a range of topics in biology.
Goats Munching Away...
Thanks to Doreen Maller for this great photograph of the goats munching away on the historic railroad right-of-way. This large herd of goats comes from Star Creek Land Stewards and works with the Coastside Land Trust as a part of a planned grazing project.
Donate to support the Coastside Land Trust and its dedication to preserve, protect, and enhance the open spaces of the San Mateo County coast.
The Arrival of the Goats Drone footage by Steve Maller
Goats Return To The Historic Railroad Right-Of-Way
The restoration goat herd from Star Creek Land Stewards will be moving to their new grazing spot, along the historic Ocean Shore Railroad Right-Of-Way, arriving tomorrow morning (Saturday) between 9:30AM- 10:00. They will not be running across the road this year, but will be returning to work, and great for viewing over the following days- as they are 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.
This large herd of goats comes from Star Creek Land Stewards works with the Coastside Land Trust and the City of Half Moon Bay as a part of a planned grazing project. Stop by the intersection of Railroad Ave & Poplar St in Half Moon Bay and watch these fuzzy restoration workers return to work.
Gathering In Wavecrest Open Space Honors Ric Lohman
Photo credit: Emma Spaeth
Please CLICK HERE to read an article written in the Half Moon Bay review about the celebration honoring Ric Lohman, held out on the bluffs of Wavecrest Open Space last Wednesday.
CLICK HERE to read Ric's obituary in the Half Moon Bay Review.
Please also consider making a DONATION in memory of Ric Lohman, and his dedication to keeping the character of the Coastside, along with his passion to preserve open space. Memorial donations will fund the Wavecrest trail extension. As an avid runner, Ric wore through many pairs of shoes running along the Wavecrest coastline.
Gathering in honor of Ric Lohman
Join us for a
Gathering in honor of Ric Lohman
July 12
6:30 pm
Let us join together to share stories and memories as we toast and celebrate Ric's life. There will be beverages and snacks provided. Please bring your own blanket or a camp chair if you would like to sit. We hope to catch a sunset and a green flash. The event starts at 6:30 pm. Toasting and the sharing of stories will start at 7:00 pm.
LOCATION: Wavecrest Open Space. We will meet just south of the Seymour Bridge at the second overlook, which is easily visible from the bridge. DIRECTIONS
The closest parking lot is POPLAR BEACH parking lot (which closes 30 minutes after sunset). There is also a large amount of free street parking in the neighboring streets. Parking is also available at SMITH FIELD, with post sunset closure of gates.
CLICK HERE to read Ric's obituary in the Half Moon Bay Review.
Please also consider making a DONATION in memory of Ric Lohman, and his dedication to keeping the character of the Coastside, along with his passion to preserve open space. Memorial donations will fund the Wavecrest trail extension. As an avid runner, Ric wore through many pairs of shoes running along the Wavecrest coastline.
Contact jo@coastsidelandtrust.org with any questions.
"All that is gold does not glitter. Not all those who wander are lost"
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
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.