Photo by Cleve Nash:                        Bobcat

Photo by Cleve Nash:                        Bobcat

Photo by Alan Schmierer:     Snowy Egrets

Photo by Kevin Cole:      
F emale Elephant Seals in dispute over space

A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles

The next time someone calls you a birdbrain, just smile and thank them. In the past few decades, scientists have discovered that the brain of many bird species is comprised of a processing system that works much the same way as our cerebral cortex. Many studies have shown that birds, especially the parrots and members of the crow family, are at least as smart as the dolphins and the apes.  Read More

A Sense of Place: Your California State Parks by Mary Golden

CCNHA is committed to the passage of Proposition 21 because of the dire situation in State Parks.  Please read the fact sheet and tell as many people as possible to support Prop 21.  We also need volunteers to help staff tables to get the word out. Please contact me at 805.772.2694, extension 102 for questions or to volunteer.

From the vast stretches of sandy beaches along California's magnificent coastline to the towering redwoods and much‐ needed recreational areas in the state's bustling urban centers, California's 278 state parks are priceless public assets and a vital legacy for our children and grandchildren.

But the state's parks are in peril. Budget cuts are starving state parks, causing them to fall severely behind in needed maintenance and repairs. Twice in the past two years, state parks were on the brink of being shut down. Only last‐minute budget reprieves kept them open. Last year, 150 state parks were shut down part‐time or suffered deep service reductions because of budget cuts, and more park closure proposals and budget cuts are expected this year. California's parks are becoming less available to the public and are at serious risk of irreversible damage. Read More

Elfin Forest by Jean Wheeler

Insect Walk:  Summertime brings out the creepie crawlies that we often overlook. Local naturalist Al Normandin will search every nook and cranny along the boardwalk for the Good, Bad, and Ugly of these creatures, as well as the pretty summer butterflies. The importance and ecology of our local insects will be discussed during the walk. Bring a hand lens if you have one, or close-focusing binoculars. Read More 

Marine Sanctuaries by Carol Georgi

Quoting from the executive order:
"This order establishes a national policy to ensure the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources, enhance the sustainability of ocean and coastal economies, preserve our maritime heritage, support sustainable uses and access, provide for adaptive management to enhance our understanding of and capacity to respond to climate change and ocean acidification, and coordinate with our national security and foreign policy interests."

"The order also provides for the development of coastal and marine spatial plans that build upon and improve existing Federal, State, tribal, local, and regional decision making and planning processes." According to Kurtis Alexander, Santa Cruz Sentinel, "The planning will be done by nine regional bodies, building upon existing state and federal laws and overseen by the National Ocean Council, made up of scientists and top administration officials." Read More

Ocean Creatures by Carol Georgi

Seven endangered species of whale, the gray whale, the humpback whale, the blue whale, the fin whale, the right whale, the sei whale, and the sperm whale may be found in the California central coast area. The entire population of gray whales in the eastern Pacific migrates through the area twice each year, as does half the northern Pacific population of humpback whales. This summer, due to the abundance of krill, many whales can be seen in the Monterey Bay. Read More and See Spectacular Video!

State Parks Events

Summer Interpretation Dates, State Park Rangers and Topics:  August 6, Ranger Jackson—The Birds of the Heron Rookery, 7:30 pm at the Morro Bay State Park Campfire Center See What Else Is Happening

Great Egret image on banner by Mike Baird