February 2024

MLT

MONTHLY

“We are tied to the ocean, and when we go back to the sea--whether it is to sail or to watch it--we are going back from whence we came.”

― John F. Kennedy

Photos by Anne Young, taken during King Tides, 2/9/24

Here are a couple of links, below, that explain the phenomenon. We also talked about the difference between high tides and sea-level rise, and touched on cyclical vs. man-made climate change which sparked a lively discussion.

https://www.almanac.com/perigee-and-apogee

https://www.moonconnection.com/apogee_perigee.phtml

About 20 folks attended including Lorrie, four MLT staffers, five kids, 10 non-MLT grown-ups, three dogs, and a few interested ravens. Two sets of visitors joined us so that was a happy bonus. Walking from Glass Beach to the Trestle Bridge at Pudding Creek we saw several whales spouting on their way south.

Importantly, we were able to get lots of photos to upload to the California Coastal Commission King Tides Project site, and hopefully got a few brand-new people interested in MLT and our work. All in all, a great morning on the Coast, and a much-needed break from the rain.

Here's to getting outside!



Please use this link for information on how you can upload your photos to be a part of documenting the King Tides project!

Photo looking up the Col. Young Tree in the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument 

"Black history is American history. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson began a weeklong celebration that has since grown into an entire month dedicated to remembering the achievements, contributions, resilience, and legacies of Black Americans at a time when it was not commonly taught. In celebration of Black History Month, explore people, places, and stories from more than 400 national parks and communities across the country through National Park Service programs and partners and keep exploring African American heritage throughout the year.”

U.S. National Park Service

Among its many links, the NPS notes the naming of the Col. Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, dedicated to a Buffalo Soldier who was a family man and civil rights pioneer. https://www.nps.gov/chyo/ and https://bit.ly/BuffaloSoldierColCharlesYoung

The NPS website also says that: "African American history is preserved and shared in many national parks with some being created as monuments to remember specific individuals in our nation's history. Explore national parks that were named after people and visit their websites to take a deeper look at their life's achievements, contributions, and lasting legacies."

This link will take you to a National Park Service page exploring the parks specifically dedicated to these sites. MLT invites you to explore them and share them with others.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/parks-named-in-honor-of-african-americans.htm

Indy Fitch, MLT Intern, working on trails in the summer of 2023

MTL began its adventures with interns in the summer of 2014. We have been able to offer hands-on educational experiences to students wanting to do more and learn more about conservation. Thanks to generous donations, these opportunities have expanded to include multiple students. These internships have provided in-the-field opportunities to experience the power and value of teamwork through diverse projects and experiences. Both MLT and the students have benefitted from this work.

This year MLT is inviting applications, and you can read the details at this link. Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume by email to Anna Bride at anna@mendocinolandtrust.org, and to detail the experiences that would make them good candidates. They also need to explain why they are interested in working with MLT. 

MLT Executive Director Conrad Kramer shares his views on the value of internships.

"There are very few ways we can make a lasting difference in the world,” Kramer said. “This is because, as human beings, we are so short-lived. Most of what we do in the world passes away. But the land lasts forever, as does land that is forever protected from development. Protecting land creates a permanent legacy. The experiences we have early in life are always so pivotal and can send us in a certain direction. A great conservation experience like this can really help propel people into conservation work, and maybe into land trust work."

Lance Spece, an MLT intern in 2017, echoes this view. 

Lance Spece, MLT intern in 2017

“My time with MLT highly changed the course of my life. It gave me the confidence to apply for positions with other land trusts. After graduating, I went to work for the North Coast Regional Land Trust in Humboldt County as a project easement conservation manager. And last year I made a move back to the region where I grew up, the Sacramento Valley, where I worked on agricultural land trust agreements for the Yolo Land Trust before becoming a full-time land manager for the Wildlife Heritage Foundation based in Lincoln. I am forever grateful to all the MLT staff, past and present, for showing me the ropes and being so passionate about land conservation. I highly recommend anyone interested in an internship with Mendocino Land Trust or any land trust to just go ahead and take the leap. You never know where you might end up.”

For a history of MLT’s youth conservation program, click this link. 

MLT supporters make these internships possible. Please use the donate button below to help us continue our work. 

Inclement weather may have slowed us down, but it can't stop MLT from celebrating 10 years of conserving Pelican Bluffs.

Come celebrate the 10th anniversary of MLT’s acquisition of Pelican Bluffs on Saturday, 3/2/24. We’ll be taking a hike starting at 11 a.m. and wrapping things up by 2 p.m.

The hike is open to the public. Bring anyone you’d like! MLT will have a small table set up with warm drinks and snacks. We also will be selling a batch of the 10th Anniversary T-shirts and stickers. Those who would rather not participate in the long hike can enjoy the short loop trail or stick around the table to chat with folks.

Getting There: This preserve is south of Point Arena. Watch for mile marker 14.3 at the north end of the preserve and mile marker 13.5 at the south end of the preserve. Parking lot is near the south end of the preserve.

For more Information about Pelican Bluffs, please check out this link,

If you can’t attend, but still want to purchase our cool T-shirts (designed by our own Anna Bride), please use this link.

We hope to see you there, rain OR shine.



Questions? Contact info@mendocinolandtrust.org

March is the peak season for whale watching along the Mendocino Coast. Many people will charter boats and go in search of whales, while others will grab their binoculars and find a vantage point on a blufftop to spot these massive mammals.

California gray whales migrate from November to May. Other species migrate later in the year. Humpbacks are most commonly seen between April and November, and blue whales from June to October. Orcas may also be seen at times, but do not have a predictable migration timetable. 

Whatever time you are hoping to spot whales, here are some tips to keep in mind to maximize the pleasure of the experience:

• Binoculars are helpful, but scanning the horizon with the naked eye will give you a broader expanse and allow you to zero in on a potential sighting. 
• Watch for flocks of seagulls, which tend to gather near whales.
• For photography, a zoom lens of 70-300mm will yield best results. Bring a tripod to steady your longer lens for less camera-shake and a crisper shot.
• Whale watching requires patience. Since you’ll be out there for a while, be sure to bring goodies, sunscreen, and warm clothes-gloves and a hat. 
• Bring friends and divide up the horizon. More sets of eyes looking at specific areas increase the odds of spotting whales, and they’ll help you pass the time while you wait.
• Don’t be locked into rigid expectations of the experience. There will be times when whales elude you, but being on a trail with friends and good food and watching the many forms of wildlife can still be a pleasurable experience. Going out on a trail is relatively easy and inexpensive, and not seeing a whale on one outing gives you a great excuse to check out yet another trail on another day. Look at this link for the many MLT trails you can explore!

After you’ve had fun on the trails, it’s time to check out the many whale-related events during March in Mendocino County.

Whale Festivals in the Fort Bragg Area

https://mendocinocoast.com/whale-home

Here is a link from our friends at MendoParks about local activities:

https://www.mendoparks.org/whale-festival

The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse:

https://pointcabrillo.org/self-guided-whale-trail/

And the Fort Bragg wine walk. (If you don’t see whales, at least you’ll have an excuse. :) )

https://mendocinocoast.com/fort-bragg-whale-festival

MLT BOARD

MLT is seeking to expand its Board of Trustees and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds who can help our Board evolve to reflect the diversity of Mendocino County. Click here for details.

STEWARDSHIP PROJECT COORDINATOR

MLT has a 24-30 hour-a-week position with paid time off and other benefits. Please click here for the job announcement.

Interested? Contact us at info@mendocinolandtrust.org