nature notes VOLUME 12 • SPRING 2022
CENTRAL COAST STATE PARKS ASSOCIATION
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“The beautiful spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” - Harriet Ann Jacobs
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cannot say I love one season over another, but spring is truly special. I feel the energy that emanates from landscape dotted Executive Director Kristin Howland with bursts of wildflowers, coveys of quail darting about the brush, the song of the birds busily tending to their nests, the calm quiet of the deer grazing and fragrance of blooming plants, fresh cut grass and moist earth. My senses are alive with the activity abundant to the eye, nose, and ear. Spring is here and with it brings a whole new world of the unexpected. Will we have a spectacular display of wildflowers? Will we get any more rain? Where are the monarchs now? How busy will our parks be? Can we keep enough merchandise in the stores with the current supply chain issues? How will the predicted inflation affect CCSPA? I can’t begin to find the words to express my anticipation for all that is to come this spring. Those of you who know me know that I am forever an optimist. I try to live in a world of unicorns and rainbows (bears and redwoods) and embrace each challenge as an opportunity. As the CCSPA Board and Staff gracefully approach this season, we do so with more drive and desire than ever before, exploring avenues and paths less traveled. CCSPA staff are happily buzzing about planning for and assisting with gatherings, events and State Park programming. I am thrilled to put the Western Monarch Trail on the map with several sites in SLO county and expanding to other sites throughout the migration path of the western monarch. I am excited to engage with new audiences at festivals and partner events. The return of school group programming and Adventures with Nature is exciting beyond words as there is never a more joyous time than watching kids and adults alike immersed in learning about our natural environment. I cannot wait to explore our parks and all the wonderful State Park programs with my family. I am excited to hear about and see images of how you enjoy our nature centers, parks and open spaces. What are you excited for this spring?
Staff Directory Kristin Howland Executive Director ed@centralcoastparks.org (805) 548-0391 Sheri Robesky Development Director development@centralcoastparks.org (805) 548-0384 Monica Rutherford Community Outreach Manager programs@centralcoastparks.org (805) 548-0385 Julie Lewis Retail Operations Manager store@centralcoastparks.org (805) 548-0384 Beca Martin Operations and Events Manager events@centralcoastparks.org (805) 548-0393 Angelena Masicampo Retail Operations Coordinator retail@centralcoastparks.org (805) 548-0390
BOARD MEMBERS Valerie Glahn - Board Chair Tyler Conrad - Vice Chair Robert Priola - Treasurer Lisa Torres - Secretary Marylou Gooden - Director Laurel Cadena - Director John Barbieri - Director
STATE PARKS LIASONS Danielle Bronson State Park Interpreter III Oceano Dunes District Robyn Chase State Park Interpreter II San Luis Obispo Coast District
www.centralcoastparks.org
FAST FACTS CCSPA is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit. We are one of 85 similar cooperating associations across the state who work in partnership with State Parks. Tax ID #: 51-0198869. Cover photo: Brady Teufel Newsletter design: Brady Teufel 2 | SPRING 2022 - CCSPA
10% The percentage of rare, threatened or endangered plants found in coastal SLO County
Morro bay museum of natural history update
With your help, we were able to raise over $5,000 to go towards these projects! Folks from all over the United States contributed to this year-end giving. Because of your support, the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History will continue to educate and inspire future generations of environmental stewards. The designs for the new exhibits are completed and are ready for contractors to work on as soon as enough funds are raised to cover the entire project.
We were even able to purchase a classroom set of high quality virtual reality goggles for school groups to take a virtual dive underwater or fly over the Morro Bay Estuary. These goggles will allow students to experience the park from a different perspective, as well as allow ADA groups to experience non ADA-friendly areas. As school group programs gradually return to the museum, we can’t wait for students to use them.
Thank you to all who contributed; your actions make a difference and we are looking forward to seeing your donations get to work at the museum!
Your donations contribute to the innovative, hands-on, and educational features of the museum and will encourage stewardship and appreciation for nature for many generations to come. While the year-end ask may have passed, you can still help contribute to the museum’s ongoing projects and events (or several other State Park programs) by becoming a Friend of CCSPA. Scan the QR code or visit:
David Keeling
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t the end of 2021, we asked our wonderful community of supporters to consider making a year-end donation to the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History. The goal was to raise funds for renovations, updates, and new exhibits such as a walk-through kelp forest, tide pool exhibit, eelgrass display, and an “under the mud” experience for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
www.centralcoastparks.org/friend
Dog Boats and Rum Runners in State Parks: San Luis Obispo County during the Prohibition Era the Prohibition Era, is displayed at the Spooner Ranch House in Montaña de Oro State Park until June 1, 2022. The 1920s are characterized in history books as the “Roaring Twenties,” a period of urbanization, consumerism, and increasing social freedoms represented by flappers and jazz music. But the ‘20s was also the decade of Prohibition, when alcohol production and sale was outlawed by the federal government, condemning many California vineyards and wineries to bankruptcy.
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he Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo has researched and designed an exhibition on the history of prohibition in Spooner’s Cove and on the Estero Bluffs. The exhibit, Dog Boats and Rum Runners in State Parks: San Luis Obispo County in
Many Californians chose to break the law and purchase alcoholic beverages illegally through bootleggers, local wineries, the black market, and in speakeasies. In San Luis Obispo County, alcohol was smuggled in through small, unregulated ports, one of which was located at Spooner’s Cove in present-day Montaña de Oro State Park. In 1892, Alden Spooner, Jr. leased and then purchased ranch land on the
bluffs now known as Montaña de Oro. The family owned the property, now referred to as Spooner Ranch, for almost 50 years. During the Prohibition Era of 1920-1933, Spooner’s Cove became known as “Smuggler’s Cove.” Small boats were used to transfer the cargo of illegal liquor under the cover of darkness to the shore. The liquor would be loaded on trucks and may also have been hidden among the produce harvested at Montaña de Oro. It was a successful operation, with no raids or arrests made according to research to date. This local history and more is examined through Dog Boats and Rum Runners in State Parks: San Luis Obispo County in the Prohibition Era. Check it out the next time you visit Montaña de Oro! The Spooner Ranch House is open daily from 11 am - 4 pm.
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A Walk among the Wildflowers
Calystegia soldanella
Armeria maritima
Eschscholzia californica
Abronia maritima
Camissoniopsis chieranthifolia
And if you are lucky enough, you may catch a glimpse of the
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hen you head to the coast for a day on the sunsoaked beaches and bluffs of San Luis Obispo County, what do you look forward to seeing? Waves crashing against expansive ribbons of soft sand. Surfers bobbing under impeccably blue skies. Rocky tide pools bursting with a rainbow of intertidal treasures below crumbly vertical bluffs. But did you picture any fields of wildflowers? The stretch of coastline from Piedras Blancas in the north to Point Sal in the south – spanning all of San Luis Obispo County (and a little bit of northern Santa Barbara County) – is a wonderland of botanical and biological diversity, due in large part to the varied habitats protected within the region’s eight State Parks and other protected lands. With all the rain that coastal San Luis Obispo County received in December, and spring on the horizon, now is the perfect time to start planning some wildflower viewing adventures in your local state parks! This is your roadmap to some of my favorite coastal wildflower-viewing locales. Directly inland from where the waves break, pioneering plants that are adapted to the particularly harsh conditions of the immediate coast take root, giving rise to coastal foredunes. This habitat is characterized by strong coastal wind 4 | SPRING 2022 - CCSPA
and a constantly shifting landscape. The sparse plants that can survive here are typically low and sprawling, and often covered in dense hairs or glands to protect from the stress of blowing sand and salt spray. When a few plants take hold, their roots and sprawling branches cause the blowing sand to pile up around them, forming hummocks – the smallest, pioneering dunes. Some of the colorful stars of the foredune habitat include the fuchsia-pink sticky sand-verbena (Abronia maritima), the white and pink-striped flowers of beach morning-glory (Calystegia soldanella), and the abundant yellow blooms of beach evening-primrose (Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia). Just behind the low and ever-shifting hummocks of the sparsely-vegetated foredunes, a robust and fragrant coastal scrub community covers the more stabilized dunes that occupy the slightly more inland position. This zone of coastal dune habitat bursts to life with showy flowers and bright green foliage in the spring. From the fringed, scarlet-red petals of California pink (Silene californica – named not for its color, but the ‘pinked’ – or notched – petal edges) and the bright yellow blooms of mock heather (Ericameria ericoides), to the showy purple stalks of dune lupine (Lupinus chamissonis), there are endless flowers to appreciate in the coastal dune scrub. And if you are lucky enough, you may catch
“ Lupinus chamissonis
Pholisma arenarium
Diplacus aurantiacus
Trillium angustipetalum
Erigeron glaucus
Castilleja affinisalum
elusive and incomparably unique plant known as ‘sand food.’ a glimpse of the elusive and incomparably unique plant known as sand food (Pholisma arenarium) – a wholly parasitic plant that pops up as little mounds of densely-packed purple flowers in the sand.
pansive fields of thrift seapink (Armeria maritima). I recommend heading north past Cayucos to Estero Bluffs, Harmony Headlands, or Hearst San Simeon State Parks to see what the bluff is all about!
In addition to the rainbow of colors on display, many coastal scrub plants have pleasantly sweet sagey or minty aromas. A great place to explore both foredune and stabilized back-dune habitats is at Morro Bay State Park, south of and along the sandspit. Paddle across the Morro Bay Estuary for a worthwhile wildflower-viewing adventure!
Last but most certainly not least on your wildflower treasure map is the coastal riparian woodland. Deep canyons with meandering drainages to the ocean along the Pecho and Morro Coast in Montaña de Oro offer particularly unique opportunities to see lush ferns and unique flowers. A walk along Coon Creek, Islay Creek, or Hazard Canyon (all in Montaña de Oro) promises a shady overstory of California bay, black cottonwood, arroyo willow, and an occasional big leaf maple, with an understory of American dog wood (especially in Coon Creek) that starts to produce showy clusters of white flowers in May. Trail-side wildflowers are abundant, ranging from the electric-red of coast paintbrush (Castilleja affinis), to the deep burgundy of narrow petaled wakerobin (Trillium angustipetalum), and the creamy orange of bush monkey flower (Diplacus aurantiacus).
However, if a hike through the sand doesn’t appeal to you, but you’re still a fan of sweeping coastal views and an ocean breeze, perhaps a walk along the coastal bluffs is more appealing. Perched above the waves, the bluff terrace offers a stroll through coastal prairie grasslands filled with wildflowers. If yellows and golds catch your eye, the bluff is home to incredible displays of golden-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium californicum - not really a grass!) and the incomparable California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), as well as occasional sightings of yellow and club-haired mariposa lilies (Calochortus luteus, C. clavatus). Complementary pinks and purples are also on display, with purple owl’s-clover (Castilleja exserta), seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus), and ex-
But I don’t want to spoil all the surprises… so head out to one of our many local State Parks this spring and pick your own favorite wildflower trail! - Words and photos by Kristen Nelson Vice President of the SLO Chapter of California Native Plant Society
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volunteer appreciation: Mike and Eileen
Join the CCSPA Team!
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n honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 17-23), CCSPA would like to thank all our dedicated volunteers who spend their time, energy, and passions in our State Parks to help educate and serve our community. Some have been volunteering with State Parks for over 40 years, and some we’ve just recently welcomed. Whether they help run our nature stores or park facilities, sell firewood in campgrounds, or plan and set up for events, we are so fortunate and grateful for each and every volunteer for their invaluable support. CCSPA could not complete our mission without their help. Meet volunteers Mike Eggelston and Eileen Murta. You can find them at the Spooner Ranch House in Montaña de Oro, so please feel free to stop by and say hello!
their love of Montaña de Oro, Mike answered that there is something there called “vertical time,” in contrast to horizontal or linear time that holds sway over most of our lives with dates, calendars, and tasks. Vertical time has a way of combining past, present, and future seamlessly into what is happening now. Everything around the Ranch House, from the waves to the flora and fauna to the ever-changing sky to the Miguelito Shale to the remembered history of the Spooner family and the first nations who lived there for 10,000 years, reminds Mike of vertical time. Everything about Montaña de Oro gives perspective.
Mike and Eileen have volunteered at the Ranch House for over seven years. They retired to Los Osos in July of 2013. Mike is a retired United Methodist pastor (19932000) of Trinity UMC in Los Osos, and Eileen was a registered nurse of cardiac rehab at Marian Medical Center. Mike’s favorite places at the park are Spooner’s Cove and Corallina Cove. When asked what inspires
One of Mike and Eileen’s favorite memories at Montaña de Oro was nearly 30 years ago after heavy rains washed out Pecho Road and part of the Corallina Cove path. They were among the earliest to walk 5 miles in along the mud-strewn road to the Bluff Trail. They were delighted to see fellow travelers along the way–joggers, then joggers bearing surfboards, then skateboarders
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bearing surfboards! Heavy surf often follows heavy rains, and surfers always find a way to the big waves. When not at the Ranch House, Eileen enjoys volunteering in ceaseless ways, notably with Girl Scouts and Mended Hearts. She is the matriarch of her family, mother to four, and oldest sibling of four. Mike’s favorite things beyond Montaña de Oro are volunteering in two churches, three environmental or justice groups, and singing in two, sometimes three, choirs. Mike also preaches monthly, leads a home church and Bible study every week, and reads voraciously, anything from fiction to history to theology to sundry sciences. We hope you enjoy learning something about two of our wonderful CCSPA volunteers in our CA State Parks! Thank you to all of the volunteers of CCSPA and CA State Parks for everything you do!
We're looking for staff, volunteers, and board members! Use your skills and passions to help make a difference in your local State Parks. Email your resume and cover letter to Kristin at ed@centralcoastparks.org
Visit our website for position descriptions & more info
centralcoastparks.org/ volunteering-ccspa
- Interview by Sheri Robesky Photo by Mike Baird
Spotlight on Park Staff: Mallory Claassen, State Park Interpreter II, Oceano Dunes District
Tell us a little about yourself and your background. I was born and raised in Morro Bay and my parents are Central Coast locals. I have a younger sister and a twin sister who are also my best friends. I graduated from Cal Poly in 2011 with a BS in Earth Science and a minor in anthropology. I was never that person who knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up, so it was challenging to choose a college major. Earth Science seemed like a very well-rounded major, and I thought I would have fun in all of the outdoor field classes. Once I graduated, my cousin Dena connected me with the Interpretation program here at Oceano Dunes District. I worked as a seasonal Park Interpretive Specialist for several years before taking a break from CA State Parks to take a full-time position with San Luis Obispo County Parks for a new career experience. I worked for SLO County Parks for a year learning how to maintain facilities and gain more groundskeeping skills (I got to mow the baseball fields!) before interviewing and accepting a full time Interpreter I position back at Oceano Dunes District. I have since been promoted to Interpreter II, under the direction of our Interpreter III, Danielle Bronson. This is such a unique career path and I feel incredibly blessed to have my dream job and still get to live here on the Central Coast. What are some of your current projects? Currently I am working on installing educational signs at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove that will help give visitors a self-guided experience through the grove. The sign design and concepts were created by the Interpretation team here at Oceano Dunes and purchased with grant funding through the Central Coast State Parks Association. I am also preparing to recruit and train our Pismo Clam Outreach Team so we will be ready to walk the
shoreline this spring and summer as visitation to our parks increases. The goal of the Pismo Clam Outreach Team is to provide education on the status of the Pismo clam and provide demonstrations on how to properly rebury undersize clams. What has been your favorite part about being an interpreter? My favorite part about being an Interpreter, particularly here at Oceano Dunes District, is meeting people who have stories to share about the history of the park. I love hearing about the old-school dune buggies and all the generations of families that come out to camp on the beach. My Grandpa Bill used to recreate out here and he was also an avid clammer. Hearing those stories from our visitors makes me think about my Grandpa and that makes me smile. Another thing I love about being an Interpreter is simply pointing out all the amazing things in nature that someone might just walk by without even noticing, like a turtle sunning near the lagoon, or the native plant blooming in the campground–simple things that get people to slow down and observe what’s around them. If you had one message to share with visitors to the Oceano Dunes District, what would it be? We have such a diverse visitation group who enjoy Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes SVRA. If I had one message to share with our visitors, it would be to thank them for making our parks part of their family traditions. Thank you for letting us be a part of your memories and your choice for a place to vacation. I would encourage our visitors to continue to take care of our parks and “Leave no Trace” so that the beauty of these parks will remain for their next generation of family members and friends. - Interview by Monica Rutherford ‘Rocky’
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VENDOR SpoTlighT: ADKTD Lifestyle apparel items specifically for us. One of our many wonderful vendors is ADKTD Lifestyle, who makes one-of-a-kind apparel found at each of our State Park nature stores. CCSPA has been working with Nathan Seashore, the creative director and fashion entrepreneur for ADKTD Lifestyle, since 2019. Based in Santa Barbara, ADKTD Lifestyle handmakes unique, effortless and comfortable clothing for women, men, and children. ADKTD Lifestyle was founded in 2014 and creates pieces for the laid-back California lifestyle, perfect for Central Coasters!
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t the Central Coast State Parks Association, we do our best to sell high quality, locally-made products in our nature stores. We value our relationships with our vendors, especially those who custom-make
Nathan’s inspiration for ADKTD Lifestyle was motivated by a wide array of life experiences growing up and early exposure to fashion, as his parents were also involved in the fashion industry. Nathan saw the need to create a clothing brand that is both ethically handmade and affordable for people of all ages and backgrounds. Embody-
ing his own sense of style, Nathan designed and created pieces that are unique and versatile, yet simple with a pop of classic. Making a positive impact is important to Nathan. “At ADKTD Lifestyle, we think it’s time to do better and come together to make positive changes on our planet. We strive to keep our production local and safe from harmful materials to our environment. Our handmade pieces are made to last, which is why quality has been our priority since day one; to this day, each piece is individually handcrafted with eco-friendly and local US made materials.” To find out more about Nathan and to support his efforts, an easy Google search can send you on your way, or you can visit our online store or any of our nature stores to see several styles of the amazing items made by ADKTD Lifestyle. - Interview by Sheri Robesky
new book focused on central coast monarchs David Slater | Flickr
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e are so thrilled to announce the publication of Pismo Monarch Butterflies: Magic, Myths, and Mysteries! This is a wonderful resource about the beloved Pismo monarchs that’s been heavily researched and pains8 | SPRING 2022 - CCSPA
takingly compiled by a variety of local scientists, researchers, docents, and volunteers and supported by the Central Coast State Parks Association. Pismo Monarch Butterflies: Magic, Myths, and Mysteries takes you on a journey to a very special overwintering grove on the Central Coast of California and the monarchs that overwinter there. Discover the history of the grove, delve into monarch biology, find out what makes a good overwintering habitat, tap into current science, and investigate how important milkweed is to monarchs. Learn how to help monarchs and other insects and find ways to become involved with this iconic insect. Discover myths and mysteries about monarchs which will lead the reader to become involved with the community science movement. Scan the QR code to purchase the e-book, or grab a hard copy from our online store at www.ccspa-store.square.site. The publication comes right as we re-
ceive the groundbreaking monarch counts for 2021. According to the latest Thanksgiving Count, nearly 250,000 western monarchs were observed across western overwintering sites, compared to 2020’s count of less than 2,000. We are hopeful that these numbers are a positive sign for the future of the western monarch, but know that their recovery still needs our help as the population remains 95% below that of the 1980s.
Ralph George
STAFF PICKS: best HIKing trails ON THE CENTRAL COAST
Oak View Trail, Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve • Monica
Oso Flaco Lake, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area • Beca
This trail is truly beautiful. It’s a short and easy hike, but I could spend hours exploring the dense forest of coast live oaks and other flora. I love the way the lace lichen hangs over nearly everything; it’s so magical! The area also has a rich cultural history as it was inhabited by the Northern Chumash and Salinan tribes for thousands of years. It’s also a great place to look for fungi and interesting wildflowers.
The trail from Oso Flaco Lake to the Oceano Dunes is a beautiful, easy walk. It is so peaceful and a great way to spend an hour or so. The trail is the perfect way to reset and just enjoy some nature, beautiful views, and quietness. Once you get to the dunes, you can just sit and enjoy the long stretch of beach and watch the waves crash. This was my first hike since moving to the Central Coast, and it was incredible seeing the coastline all the way to Point San Luis!
Headlands Trail, Harmony Headlands State Park • Sheri
Meadow Creek Trail, Pismo State Beach Monarch Grove • Julie
My daughter and I love to hike the Harmony Headlands trail because it’s not too long or strenuous. We never get bored of the views and love the diversity from rolling hills that open up to one of the most beautiful and rugged coastlines on the Central Coast. We would recommend doing this hike in spring as the green hills and wildflowers are so vivid, almost like a real-life Monet!
On a clear day, this is one of the most stunning walks in the county. Less than three miles round trip, the trail begins on a wooden boardwalk and passes the dunes with gorgeous views of the ocean and the smell of blue gum eucalyptus trees. A quick pass through the campground and the trail ends at the beautiful monarch grove–a perfect end to a truly serene walk. In late fall, you are able to see these magnificent monarchs paint the sky.
Black Hill Trail, Morro Bay State Park • Angelena
Coon Creek Trail, Montaña de Oro State Park • Kristin
Black Hill has many special memories for me. It’s such a beautiful hike to the top! Not much can beat the view. Whether it’s with the kids after school or with family and friends at sunset, it’s seriously good for the soul. I’ve shared that view with so many special beings in my life. It’s not too hard for kids when you use the upper parking lot. It’s short and sweet, but it is SO sweet. When it’s not too windy, it’s an incredible spot for a picnic!
Exploring this trail in the spring is an experience like no other! The diversity of plants is truly amazing. The riparian area offers cool, wet climates with the elegance of Trillium, while the chaparral offers fragrant blooms from Ceanothus and Salvias, among many others. The trail is dotted with sticky monkeyflowers, California poppies, blue dicks and lupines. The oak woodland offers glimpses of fungi and colorful mosses. There is so much to see! CCSPA - SPRING 2022 | 9
in memory: ray easton, award-winning service
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t has been more than 45 years since the Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) was founded. The organization was established in 1976 as the Natural History Association of San Luis Obispo Coast, Inc., then became known as the Central Coast Natural History Association (CCNHA) in 1996, and then by its current name in 2011. In its origins, the organization was founded by a dedicated group of volunteers, including the late Ray Easton, who passed away last year. Ray was a founding member and board member of the Natural History Association and volunteered for several other local nature-based organizations. Ray, a dedicated naturalist, began volunteering for California State Parks in 1989 and remained active as long as he was able. He served as a volunteer and board member for the Friends of the Elephant Seal and was
a founding member of the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival. He also founded the Mind Walks Lecture Series and co-developed the Summer Solstice, an outdoor annual nature fair in Morro Bay State Park. Some of his many other accomplishments included bringing the PG&E Seashore Wonders program from Lompoc to the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, serving as a Docent Council President, planning and participating in Seniors’ Day at Cuesta College, organizing educational field trips for docents, arranging presenters for the Morro Bay portion of Elderhostel programs and involving Morro Bay in the National Estuary Program. Ray was recognized for his many accomplishments and volunteer service by receiving the first statewide Volunteer Service Medallion from California State Parks in 1996.
ccspa membership update CCSPA has recently transitioned from Membership to Friendship! The new Friendship program is completely donation-based; simply donate as little as $35 and you can receive several benefits, such as discounts in our nature stores and on event tickets, a subscription to the Nature Notes newsletter, and more. Friends who donate more than $35 can even choose a State Park program they would like to support! Help fund school group transportation, guided interpretive experiences, cultural and living history, western monarch butterfly outreach, and more with your donation. Visit www.centralcoastparks.org/friend to donate and learn more, or mail in the form on the back of this newsletter. Current memberships will be honored through their expiration dates. 10 | SPRING 2022 - CCSPA
Through the evolution of the organization and its name changes throughout the years, we have had many dedicated volunteers, docents, and supporters who contributed in invaluable ways. We thank each and every one of them for their support and dedication and honor those who have passed. Thank you to Rouvaishyana and the Easton family for contributing to this article
butterfly ball update
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ollowing the success of last year, we are excitedly planning our 3rd annual Butterfly Ball! Save the date for September 10, 2022 at the Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo. In the meantime, the $13,000 raised from last year are being put to work! CCSPA has made quick progress with the Western Monarch Trail project, a collaborative conservation effort to support and protect the western monarch butterfly. We are happy to share that we will have three interpretive panels completed and installed along the Central Coast by summer, and potentially another six to ten more by the end of the year. We’ve developed partnerships with more organizations with similar missions. Watching this project grow roots right here on the Central Coast has been incredible, and we look forward to expanding the project across the Western United States. Want a sneak peek at the incoming Western Monarch Trail interpretive panel for the Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach? Scan the QR code to view the panel developed by the working group of scientists, researchers, and educators of environmental agencies. Interested in supporting the Western Monarch Trail and its conservation and outreach efforts? Please call us at (805) 548-0390 or visit: www.westernmonarchtrail.com. CCSPA - SPRING 2022 | 11