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Nature Journaling Brings Coastside Families Together at Farallone View

Last week, the Coastside Land Trust partnered with Elexis and our team to host a heartwarming Family Engagement Night at Farallone View Elementary school , where families came together to slow down, connect, and experience nature through journaling. The event welcomed a wide range of participants—from incoming transitional kindergarteners to seasoned 5th graders—along with their caregivers, all eager to explore the natural world through observation and reflection.

With nature journals in hand, families took part in a sensory-based activity designed to deepen awareness and appreciation of their immediate surroundings. Each participant was invited to record:

  • 5 things they saw

  • 4 things they heard

  • 3 things they physically felt

  • 2 things they smelled

  • and 1 emotional feeling they were experiencing in the moment.

After this mindful exercise, we created gratitude lists that captured everything participants were thankful for in the space around them—from the cool evening breeze to the laughter of their children. It was a beautiful reminder that nature is not only something we visit—it’s something we live in, and live with.

As a parting gift, each family received a nature journal and a ZINE from the Wild Wonder Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering curiosity, creativity, and connection through nature journaling. Founded by naturalist and artist John Muir Laws, the Wild Wonder Foundation provides tools and inspiration to help people of all ages engage more deeply with the natural world. Their colorful and approachable zines include journaling prompts and tips that make it easy for families to continue their nature connection at home.

We’re so grateful to all the families who joined us, and to our partners and volunteers who made the evening such a success. Events like these remind us how powerful it is to pause, look closely, and wonder together.

Stay tuned for more nature journaling events and workshops with the Coastside Land Trust!

This Land Is Our Trust: Help Preserve the Coast

This land—wide open, wild, and free—is a gift we hold in trust, for now and for generations to come.
Our open spaces aren’t guaranteed. They exist today because people like you choose to preserve and protect these precious coastal places.
Your support makes all the difference.
Donate through Coastside Gives this week and be part of a lasting legacy of care.

Giving Where We Live…

Hello CLT friends! Coastside Gives Day is almost here—May 1 is next week! But the great news? Early giving is open now, and it's the perfect time to show your love for the land we all cherish.

At Coastside Land Trust, we’ve spent over two decades working to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural, scenic, historical, and agricultural treasures of Half Moon Bay and the San Mateo County coast. Every step forward has been made possible by the passion and generosity of our community—and this year, we have an incredible opportunity to do even more, together:

All donations will be matched up to $20,000 thanks to a generous anonymous donor!

Your gift will directly support our Community Education Initiative, which brings the magic of the coast to people of all ages through:

  • Junior Land Stewards Program – inspiring students through fieldwork and science-based exploration

  • Guided Walks & Raptor Tours – highlighting local ecology, geology, and history

  • Community Webinar Series – with thought leaders, environmentalists, and educators

  • Hands-on community events – like nature journaling workshops and the beloved Running of the Goats 

  • And this year’s exciting new addition: educational trail signs! These engaging, beautifully designed signs will share fascinating facts about our coast’s ecosystems, history, and wildlife—turning every trail walk into a learning adventure.

This is truly a chance to give where you live—and double your impact while you’re at it.

Please consider making a gift today during early giving to help us continue this important work—and double your impact in the process.

We are deeply grateful to the Mavericks Community Foundation for this incredible opportunity to raise funds in support of our shared coastal lands—dramatic blufftop views, rolling valleys, rich wetlands, and historic open spaces that inspire, renew, and connect us. These lands are our collective legacy and speak to the future we all share.

Junior Land Stewards Wrap Up the Year with Springtime Discovery

As the school year winds down, the Junior Land Stewards capped off their season with a series of adventurous field trips filled with learning, and muddy boots—just the way we like it!

Our enthusiastic 4th graders returned to their beloved pollinator gardens for one last exploration before summer. Armed with nature journals and sharp eyes, they documented changes since their last visit, noting everything from new blooms to unexpected visitors. With the guidance of their high school field guides, students gently weeded around their growing plants and made thoughtful predictions about how their gardens might look when they return.

Despite some soggy spring conditions—thanks to a generous dose of rain—spirits remained high. No shoe left the day clean, and no student left untouched by the magic of the outdoors. Exciting sightings like chorus frogs and newts added to the thrill- reminding everyone of the beauty and surprises that nature holds.

Through observation, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for the natural world, these young stewards have demonstrated what can happen when curiosity meets conservation.

We're all proud of everything the Junior Land Stewards have accomplished this year. They worked hard, stayed curious, got their hands (and boots) dirty, and made a difference.

This program is supported by your generous support, as well as The California Coastal Commission's WHALE TAIL® Grant and the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.

Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards Program, connecting our local Coastside students to the natural world, and guiding them in stewardship of their local open spaces.

The spirit of exploration continued with a nature-themed bingo scavenger hunt. Students eagerly scanned the environment to check off items like butterflies, moss, seed pods, gopher holes, and even birds of prey. Each sighting sparked curiosity and conversation, and by the end of the hunt, every student had achieved "Bingo!" Their prize? A well-earned CLT hawk keychain, proudly presented by their high school field guides.

Happy Earth Day and Thank You Habitat Heroes!

Happy Earth Day from Coastside Land Trust!

This Earth Day, we’re sending out a heartfelt thank you to all of you who continue to care deeply for our coastal lands and open spaces. Every native flower, bird, and butterfly benefits from your love and stewardship — and we see that impact firsthand every day.

A special shout-out goes to our incredible Habitat Heroes team, who gather on the second Saturday of every month to roll up their sleeves and remove invasive weeds from our coastal habitat. These dedicated volunteers are making a real difference, helping native ecosystems thrive right here on the coast.

At our 4th Habitat Heroes Workday on Saturday, April 12, we want to give major thanks to Vicky, Julie, Carol, Sophia, Vivienne, Samantha, and Barbara L for their outstanding work removing invasive ice plant from the bluff edges at Wavecrest.

Yes, it was windy — again! — and the ice plant didn’t exactly cooperate this time around, but that didn’t stop our team. Their efforts are key to giving native flowers the space and sunlight they need to bloom this spring. While the ice plant may have pretty pink flowers, it tends to crowd out native species, so removing it is essential to restoring a healthy, biodiverse coastal habitat.

Want to get involved?
Join the movement! Our Habitat Heroes meet on the second Saturday of each month and we’re always looking for more hands to help. Email us at info@coastsidelandtrust.org to learn more or sign up.

Let’s keep working together to protect and restore the land we all love.
Happy Earth Day!

— The Coastside Land Trust Team

Double Your Impact for Local Open Spaces – Coastside Gives is Here

As we step into Coastside Gives early giving, we invite you to be part of something that nurtures both our land and our community.

For over two decades, our mission has been to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural, scenic, historical, and agricultural treasures of Half Moon Bay and the San Mateo County coast—for today, and for generations to come.

From restoring native habitats to connecting local youth with nearby open spaces, our work thrives because of people like you. And this year, we have a special opportunity to make your generosity go even further:

All donations will be matched up to $20,000 thanks to a generous anonymous donor!

Your gift will directly support our Community Education Initiative, which includes:

  •  Junior Land Stewards Program – empowering students through hands-on fieldwork and science-based exploration.

  •  Guided Walks & Raptor Tours – exploring local ecology, geology, and history.

  • Community Webinar Series - featuring esteemed environmentalists and educators.

  •  Engaging community workshops and events - like the Running of the Goats and nature journaling workshops for community members and seniors.

  •  Educational signage along our trails to inspire curiosity and learning.

Together, these programs spark a lifelong love of nature, deepen our understanding of the land, and inspire stewardship across generations.

Please consider making a gift today during early giving to help us continue this important work—and double your impact in the process.

We are deeply grateful to the Mavericks Community Foundation for this incredible opportunity to raise funds in support of our shared coastal lands—dramatic blufftop views, rolling valleys, rich wetlands, and historic open spaces that inspire, renew, and connect us. These lands are our collective legacy and speak to the future we all share.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Wonders of Wavecrest guided tour yesterday...

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for The Wonders of Wavecrest: A Guided Tour on Saturday! It was a beautiful day spent exploring the breathtaking Wavecrest Open Space in smaller subgroups, where we observed vibrant spring blooms, spotted some happy Wavecrest birds, and learned about the history and upcoming projects of the area.

Special thanks to our guides for sharing their knowledge and leading us through these explorations and the nature journaling session. Your enthusiasm, insightful questions, and connection to the landscape made the day truly memorable. We hope this experience deepened everyone’s appreciation for the coastal prairie, and we look forward to seeing you all at upcoming Coastside Land Trust events!

The Wonders of Wavecrest: A guided tour

Join the Coastside Land Trust for an immersive journey through the breathtaking Wavecrest Open Space. Led by our expert team, this guided tour will explore the rich history of Wavecrest and introduce you to the diverse flora and fauna of the coastal prairie—including local birds and vibrant spring blooms.

The Wonders of Wavecrest: A Guided Tour

Saturday, April 5, 2025

10:00 AM 12:00 PM

Participants will also have the unique opportunity to engage in a nature journaling session, guided by our Junior Land Stewards Program Manager, to deepen their connection with this stunning landscape,

Tickets are limited. All ages welcome and encouraged!

Wildfire And The Coast Webinar Recording

WIldfire and the coast

Presented by Timothy Federal

Saturday the Coastside Land Trust welcomed Timothy Federal of the San Mateo Resource Conservation District to discuss the pressing issues of wildfire management, habitat restoration, and climate resilience on the Coastside. This was a unique opportunity to learn about the historical and current state of fire practices in our region, including how seasonality impacts local ecosystems, and how these practices compare to other areas. We explored an exciting new fire reduction project taking place in the Wavecrest Open Space—an effort carefully designed to reduce wildfire risk while protecting the sensitive monarch butterfly migratory habitat.

Donate to support the Coastside Land Trust free webinar programs and the protection and stewardship of our shared open spaces at www.coastsidelandtrust.org/donate.

Junior Land Stewards Dive Into the Science of Pollination via Flower Dissections

Within the Junior Land Stewards Program, students are exploring the intricacies of plant systems. Recently, they had the opportunity to dive deeper into the world of plants through flower dissection. This hands-on experience sparked curiosity among our 4th-grade participants and provided them with answers to some common questions about flowers, pollination, and plant reproduction.

Here is a note from Haley Peterson, Junior Land Stewards Program Manager:

During our flower dissection, students were able to answer the following burning questions:

  • Why do plants produce flowers?

  • What is the purpose of nectar?

  • Why are there brightly colored petals?

  • What is the purpose of a sepal?

  • Where does pollen come from and what does it do?

  • What has to happen for a seed to grow?

  • Why are we doing this work, and what purpose do our pollinator gardens serve?

Students talked about plants as food, shelter, seeds, and reproduction.We dissected flowering maples, daffodils, and African corn flag flowers. The 4th graders discovered that, although each flower was very different, they all had the parts that make up a flower and allow for pollination and reproduction. By using hand microscopes, the Junior Land Stewards were able to take an even closer look at their flowers.

We are excited to get back out into the field next week and see if any of our California native plants have started producing flowers!

This program is supported by your generous support, as well as The California Coastal Commission's WHALE TAIL® Grant and the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.

Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards Program, connecting our local Coastside students to the natural world, and guiding them in stewardship of their local open spaces.

The Wonders of Wavecrest: A Guided Walk- coming soon!!

Join the Coastside Land Trust for an immersive journey through the breathtaking Wavecrest Open Space!

Led by our expert team, this guided tour will take you through the rich history of Wavecrest while introducing you to the diverse flora and fauna of the coastal prairie—including local birds and vibrant spring blooms.

You’ll also have the unique opportunity to participate in a nature journaling session to deepen your connection to this stunning landscape.

Here’s a sneak peek at the day’s activities:

Wavecrest Plant Exploration with Barbara Dye
Exploring the fascinating world of the Wavecrest plants, learning about their history and the crucial role they play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Wildlife Exploration with Malia DeFelice
Getting up close to the local wildlife, including owls, kites, harriers, and white-crowned sparrows. Who knows what other exciting species we might encounter along the way?

Nature Journaling Activity with Haley Peterson & Kate Dickey
All groups will come together for an interactive nature journaling session. Engage your senses with a sound mapping exercise and reflect on your experience through journaling.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with nature, wildlife, and fellow nature enthusiasts. Reserve your spot today!

Thank you Habitat Heroes!

A big thank you to our amazing volunteers – Vicky, Lisa (and Skipper the dog!), Carol, Robin, Barbara D, and Barbara L – for making the third Habitat Heroes Workday on Saturday, March 8th at Strawberry Point such a success!

The weather and scenery were spectacular and it was very satisfying and surprisingly easy work pulling the long snakes of ice plant out of the lovely mix of native plants near the bluff edges. Removing the mats of ice plant was much more challenging, but still satisfying because we took out the patches completely -- go team!! –and we uncovered native wild strawberry plants growing under one of the ice plant patches... strawberries at Strawberry Point.

2024 Annual Report is Here!

We're excited to announce that the Coastside Land Trust 2024 Annual Report is fresh off the press and ready for all to read!

This year we're proud to share our accomplishments, milestones, and the impact we've made in protecting our shared open space lands of the Coastside. From habitat restoration to community engagement, it's been a year of good work and significant progress, and we can't wait to share it with you.

Check out this full report to learn more about how your support is making a difference.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

Junior Land Stewards- Word from the field

Over the last couple of weeks the Junior Land Stewards headed into the field to plant over 400 native California plants at Wavecrest Open Space, El Granada Elementary, and Farallone View Elementary. The weather was mostly kind, with plenty of sunshine, but the students were prepared to work no matter what nature had in store.

During the project, students reflected on why they were planting native species and how these plants will benefit the landscape and local wildlife. They planted gum plant, seaside daisy, Douglas iris, coast buckwheat, blue-eyed grass, lupine, bee plant, monkey flower, prunella, and many more.

High school students from the Marine Ecology and AP Environmental Science classes worked alongside the younger students, helping with the planting and seed broadcasting. The collaboration between the high school and 4th grade students added another layer to the experience, as the older students shared what they’ve learned about local ecosystems.

The experience wasn’t just about planting—there were also moments of connection with the natural world. The first group at Wavecrest was lucky enough to spot a trio of great horned owls, calling to each other from the pine trees. Later groups saw several hawks, including one that caught a gopher at El Granada Elementary, a reminder of the interconnections in the local food chain.

This hands-on work not only helps the students understand the role of native plants but also gives them a chance to contribute to the landscape in a tangible way. We’re looking forward to seeing how these plants grow in the seasons to come.

This program is supported by your generous support, as well as The California Coastal Commission's WHALE TAIL® Grant and the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.

Donate to support the Junior Land Stewards Program, connecting our local Coastside students to the natural world, and guiding them in stewardship of their local open spaces.

Habitat Heroes Are At It Again!

Yesterday the Habitat Heroes gathered at the Purissima Old Town Site (POTS) for a productive workday in the meadow. With seven volunteers, along with our Sara Polgar and board president Barbara Lohman, they focused on removing invasive plants that were threatening the local ecosystem.

The main task was pulling cape ivy, which was smothering coffee berry shrubs and creeping into the meadow. Two volunteers also tackled poison hemlock and thistle, which were sprouting in the meadow. By the end of the day, they had all made significant progress in clearing these invasive plants.

The habitat heroes described the weather as “perfect”—sunny and mild—and the birds provided a soundtrack for the morning. The work team was even treated to the sight of hawks circling above at the start, and the hoot of a great-horned owl near the end of their work time.

It was a successful and rewarding day of conservation, and we’re grateful to all the volunteers who made it possible. Clearly nobody was having any fun…

First Monitoring Session of the Season at the Coastside Land Trust

Photographed by Barbara Dye

We’re excited to share that the Coastside Land Trust has kicked off our first monitoring session of the season! A big thank you to Robin Arkell, Barbara Lohman, Barbara Dye, and Alane Gray, who set out on this first session, bringing their collective wisdom and experience. They began in the beautiful El Granada Monitoring Area, a lovely canyon rich in thick willows and teeming with wildlife. It was a perfect start to what we hope will be a season filled with valuable insights and continued conservation efforts.

Photographed by Barbara Dye

During this session, the team observed a variety of wildlife and plant species, including the Hermit Thrush and Red Elderberry. The willows were in bloom, adding to the natural beauty of the area. Thank you to Barbara Dye for sharing these photos from their monitoring.

Stay tuned for more updates from our monitoring efforts!

Thank You to the Community for Supporting Local Artists at the Coastside Land Trust Winter Art Show

On Friday night, the Coastside Land Trust Gallery was alive with color, creativity, and inspiration as we celebrated the incredible talent of Half Moon Bay High School’s art students at the Coastside Land Trust Winter Art Show. The evening was a true testament to the power of art and community, and we are deeply grateful to all of you who came out to support our local artists.

This art show, in collaboration with the gifted art instructor Janelle Bracamonte, showcased the whimsical mixed-media creations of her students. The young artists were given a unique challenge—one that sparked their imagination and pushed their creative boundaries. They were asked to create pieces inspired by three randomly selected components: a subject, an activity, and a place. The result? A vibrant and diverse collection of artwork that highlighted each student’s individuality and flair for artistic expression.

Sixteen talented artists were chosen to represent their work in this gallery event, and community members were amazed by the creativity, skill, and originality of these high school juniors and seniors. It was clear that the talent of these young artists is truly something special.

Board President Barbara Lohman shared that what stood out most to her was the dedication of Janelle Bracamonte to her students and the joy she takes in guiding them. That passion was certainly reflected in the beautiful work they produced.

Inside the gallery, a stunning variety of works awaited guests—each piece brought to life through the skillful use of watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, markers, and ink. The pieces were as delightful as they were thought-provoking, capturing the whimsical and imaginative worlds these talented students had crafted.

Thank you to the community for showing up and making the evening a memorable success. Your support not only helped showcase the brilliance of these young artists but also reaffirmed the vital role art plays in our lives and in shaping the future of creativity in our community.

A CLT Winter Art Show Featuring the Half Moon Bay High School Art Students TOMORROW NIGHT!

ATTENTION COASTSIDE!!!

Join us TOMORROW NIGHT for the Coastside Land Trust Winter Art Show, featuring the AMAZING artwork of Half Moon Bay High School’s Art students!

This will be from 4 to 6 PM, at the Coastside Land Trust Gallery, located at 788 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.

In collaboration with art instructor Janelle Bracamonte, these talented students were challenged to create whimsical mixed-media pieces inspired by three randomly selected components: a subject, an activity, and a place. You’ll be delighted by their beautiful, creative work—using watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, markers, and ink.

Let’s come together to celebrate and support the creativity of our local youth! See you there!

For more information, contact info@coastsidelandtrust.org