Photo by Cleve Nash:                        Bobcat

Photo by Cleve Nash:                        Bobcat

Photo by Alan Schmierer:     Snowy Egrets

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash

A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles

In the Fall, and more specifically mid-September through mid-October, many birds—as well as many birders—can be found in our coastal migrant traps. These are areas of dense trees, often willows, but also pines and Eucalyptus, often associated with creeks or other bodies of water along the immediate coastline. These areas of thick trees harbor many insects for the warblers and vireos and others to refuel as they migrate down our coastline.  Read More

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

Many of you have been in the trenches, for years it seems.  Battle after battle to keep our State Parks Open.  If you look at the ones who came before, they battled to keep spaces protected, to see that they were turned into parks.  It's our watch.  And now,  it's our time.  Read More

Elfin Forest by Jean Wheeler

Pre-Big Sit! Bird Walk:  At 8:30 a.m. Jim Royer, coordinator of the Elfin Forest Big Sit! will lead us on a bird inventory walk in preparation for Sunday's Big Sit! This is an international event hosted by Birdwatcher's Digest that pits participating groups of birders against one another to identify the most species in a 24-hour period. Our Big Sit! takes place at Bush Lupine Point. Read More 

Marine Sanctuaries by Carol Georgi

Our coastal veiwsheds offer magnificent views and vistas that are enjoyed by millions of visitors. The following are internationally and nationally significant features, some that are seen, and others that are unseen, hidden below the surface in the nearshore environment.   Read More

Nature's Voice (New Column)

In these challenging times we instinctively know it's good for us to visit the seashore. Nature encourages health. Time spent in the great outdoors is not an indulgence. It is powerful medicine.

One great way to take in some nature is to spend an afternoon at Moonstone Beach in Cambria. Not only is it a favorite destination for moonstone enthusiasts, it's also a fabulous place to soothe the soul. Read More

State Parks Events

A visit to the Central Coast of California is not complete without a stop at the Museum of Natural History in Morro Bay State Park. The museum offers activities for all ages: nature walks, exhibits, lectures, puppet shows, videos, docent led tours and special events.

Visit the Chumash garden along the side of the museum and learn how the Chumash used native plants of this area in their daily lives.

Ruth Coleman, who is the statewide director of California State Parks, will be visiting our local parks on October 16, 2010 to celebrate local private public partnerships which contribute to the vitality of our parks. 

Director Coleman will be spending the day meeting the public, docents, volunteers, and park staff and seeing the latest developments.  She will be hosted by the Central Coast Natural History Association (CCNHA), a private nonprofit whose mission is to support and fund education and interpretative programs at our local state parks.  Starting at 11:00 a.m., she will attend the formal ribbon cutting for the new Marine Mammal Mural at the Museum of Natural History at Morro Bay State Park. 

See What Else Is Happening

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