MCAS COMMUNITY PROGRAM: Eelgrass Recovery

MBNEP Volunteer, Marc Couacaud, helps harvest eelgrass near Coleman Beach for transplanting in February 2018. Photo Credit: Vince Cicero

MBNEP staff and volunteers transplant

eelgrass in Morro Bay in February 2018. 

Photo Credit: Carolyn Geraghty

 MCAS Community Program: 

Building Partnerships to Inform Eelgrass Recovery in Morro Bay

Presented by Carolyn Geraghty, Restoration Projects Manager, Morro Bay National Estuary Program

When:  Monday, May 21^st7:00 pm

Where:SLO Botanical Garden, Oak Glen Pavilion, El Chorro Regional Park

Carolyn Geraghty of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program will discuss how the Estuary Program and partners have used an adaptive management approach to monitoring, restoration, and applied science to better understand eelgrass recovery in the estuary. The Morro Bay estuary was once abundant with eelgrass (Zostera marina) but has experienced a dramatic decline. Carolyn will present results from experimental plantings and seeding efforts, which have refined their understanding of the most suitable methods, locations, and season for planting. Presentation results will also draw from Cal Poly research and observations by John Roser on water quality and biological impacts (e.g., brant geese) to eelgrass.

California Conservation Corps member, 

Tim Scully, helps the MBNEP 

transplant eelgrass in March 2018. 

Photo Credit: Carolyn Geraghty

All MCAS programs are free, open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.  

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EUREKA! THE BIRDS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY - March 2018

To VIEW, PRINT, or DOWNLOAD Eureka! click READ MORE. Then move cursor over the Eureka! displayed below and click the "Pop-out" icon in the top-right corner.

From the now newly opened window, you can read Eureka! OR use the icons in the top-right corner to PRINT or DOWNLOAD Eureka!.

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FIELD TRIP: Birding at the Watershed 5/18 or 5/19

Birdwalk in the Watershed

Friday, May 18, 7:30-9:30 am

or

Saturday, May 19, 7:30-9:30 am

Join Roger Zachary, local Audubon field trip leader, as we walk along the de Anza Trail section of the Atascadero Mutual Water Company’s property.

We will be “birding” in mixed oak woodland and riparian woodland along the Salinas River. We should be able to identify approximately 30 species. Space is limited. RSVP Jaime Hendrickson at  jhendrickson@amwc.us or 805-464-5347. 

Directions & Details

We will be meeting at the Anza Horse Arena parking lot at 7:30 am. While we do start birding in that area, please try to be on time. I have included the link with directions below. Please note that North Ferrocaril and Ferrocaril do not connect and web directions can easily take you to the wrong access. If something should arise that morning, or you get lost, call 805-235-8976.

Directions:   http://goo.gl/maps/zxey9

Remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and your own binoculars. The week following the field trip I will email out a list of the birds we saw.

There is no water or restroom facilities at the site, Home Depot and Starbucks are the closest facilities.

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FIELD TRIP: Birding by Ear at San Simeon 5/19

  

Birding by Ear at San Simeon: Saturday, May 19^th

RSVP REQUIRED: Trip limited to 17 participants

Jessica Griffiths will again lead this Birding by Ear trip, which will take place on Saturday, May 19^that San Simeon. Participants must contact Jan Surbey, MCAS field trips chair, to request and receive a confirmed reservation for the trip. Exact meeting time and location will be given to those with confirmed reservations.

Bring water, snacks, binoculars and field guides (if you have them) and dress in layers to accommodate changing weather. Sturdy shoes are recommended as there will be 1-2 miles of slow walking with some ups and downs along the trail. Appropriate for ages 12 and up and all levels of birding expertise.  This is a FREE trip; no fees charged. 

To reserve a spot(s) on this trip, please contact Jan at jansurbey@earthlink.net.

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Circle of Friends and Paver Donors unite to celebrate on May 20th!

Everyone is invited to join the MCAS Board in welcoming the 2017 Sweet Springs Circle of Friends donors and the second round of Paver donors on Sunday, May 20^th.

The event will begin at 3PM at the entrance to East Sweet Springs (4^th and Ramona) with participants gathering around the new patio area, which surrounds the entrance kiosk. Then the group will “bird” along the walk through the Preserve over to the Central portion of the Preserve to the main entrance on Ramona, where the Circle of Friends kiosks are located. The recognition of Circle donors will begin about 4PM. Wine, cider, and light refreshments will accompany the festivities. 

Circle donors are those who have donated at least $500 designated to be used at Sweet Springs, while paver donors donated $100 per paver to be placed in the patio area at the entrance to East Sweet Springs. Both Circle and paver donors are able to choose the wording they wish to appear on their plaque or paver. The Circle of Friends option will continue during the 2018 fund drive, while the paver option will end with this round of paver installations.

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