Photo by Cleve Nash:                        Bobcat

Photo by Cleve Nash:                        Bobcat

Photo by Alan Schmierer:     Snowy Egrets

A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles

Back in the "good old days," when there were still vast unexplored frontiers in this country, John James Audubon and many other biologists would collect their specimens to study with the blast of a shotgun. No one worried about it because of the incredible abundance of wildlife in the United States. It's a different story now, with many birds either extinct or nearly so, due to habitat loss or outright depredation.  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 Proposition 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. Endorsement Resolustion. Read More

Elfin Forest by Jean Wheeler

You are invited to the first showing and sale of the 2011 Elfin Forest calendar! This event will be held from 2-4:30 pm at the end of 12th Street in Los Osos, directly adjacent to the Elfin Forest trailhead. Parking is available at any of the Elfin Forest street-end entrances. Read More 

Marine Sanctuaries by Carol Georgi

n a marine sanctuary, a core area is usually an internationally or nationally significant ecological unit that needs primary protection and becomes the central focus of a sanctuary. Vital ecosystems supporting significant marine life are clear candidates for protection. Nationally significant historical and cultural features are also nominated for protection. For example, within our proposed area of expansion, Chumash underwater archaeological sites could qualify for core area designation. Within this proposed expansion area, there are several core areas. This article will focus on Core Area One, which is arguably the most important unprotected oceanographic complex feature along the California coast.  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. See What Else Is Happening

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

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash