URGENT: Coastal Commission is Coming to Town! Make Your Voices Heard.


Coastal Commission is Coming to Town!  Make Your Voices Heard.

On July 11 the Coastal Commission will be meeting in SLO to take comments regarding the coastal permit for the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Plans put forth by State Parks have the potential to adversely impact Oso Flaco Lake’s environment (flora & fauna); threaten destruction of habitat and endangered species (including Snowy Plover and Least Tern); and allow for repeated violations of federal and state conservation laws (Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act, and Coastal Act). 

It is now time to speak up for protection of endangered wildlife and in favor of conservation of natural resources and passive recreational use of the dunes and Oso Flaco Lake. 

The Commission meeting begins at 9AM on Thursday, July 11th (arrive by 8AM to get a seat), at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 333 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo. Agenda Item 12A will be a review of the off-road area coastal permit. Hearing Procedures

The Commission Staff Report (please read Summary, pages 1-6, of 65 page report) recommends a number of interim measures to protect coastal resources and ways to begin phasing out off-road vehicle activity while transitioning the park to other public uses.

The off-road vehicle advocates will be out in force at this Coastal Commission meeting. 

Those of us who want to protect the Guadalupe/Nipomo Dunes and Oso Flaco Lake also need to be there. Please either show up to speak up at the meeting (pro-conservation voices will be wearing dark green), support those who do speak, or e-mail your comments (select Thursday, JULY 11, scroll down to Item 12, then click on Submit Comment) to the Commission by 5:00 PM, Friday, July 5th. 

Please speak in support of the staff report recommendations and vision for the park. Please also voice your opposition to State Parks’ February 2019 Public Works Plan (PWP) to turn the area around Oso Flaco Lake into a campground and junior ATV track. This would decimate an environmentally sensitive habitat area, degrade a high-use passive recreation area, and would not be consistent with the Coastal Act.
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EUREKA! THE BIRDS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY - May 2019

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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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Article Focuses on Volunteers and History of Hi Mountain Lookout

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READ NEW TIMES ARTICLE AT:
"Back from the brink? Hi Mountain Condor Lookout volunteers and Cal Poly students help wildlife agencies track the endangered California condor"

 After you read this New Times article, you will better understand the dedication of volunteers and cooperation between agencies that was required to resuscitate a dilapidated fire lookout and transform it into a vibrant location for research, learning, and camaraderie.

 Kudos and Thanks to all those who have, and will, volunteer at Hi Mountain Lookout. 

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COMMUNITY PROGRAM: Annual June Picnic MOVED!!

MCAS Annual June Picnic Potluck and Bird Walk 

 Monday, June 17th at 5 pm 

 The picnic has been moved to Cloister Community Park.

Due to setup for an upcoming event (not MCAS related), El Chorro Regional Park will be closed June 17th!!

Directions to Cloisters Community Park (MAP):


  • Take Hwy 1 to San Jacinto St. (at signal) & turn toward ocean.
  • Turn left on Coral Ave.
  • Public parking is straight ahead on your right, just off Coral Ave.


Schedule is still the same with Bird Walk around The Cloisters beginning at 5:00 pm.

The potluck picnic will follow the birdwalk and last until 7:30 pm.

 Join Audrey and Kyle Weichert for a bird walk from 5:00 to 6:15 pm around The Cloisters. Kyle is a Senior Biologist for Rincon Consultants in their San Luis Obispo office and has a passion for botany and birds. Audrey is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® who grew up in Paso Robles and has lived on the Central Coast for over 35 years. 

 The potluck picnic will follow the bird walk and last until 7:30 pm. Bring your main dish, a side dish to share, and your own reusable table setting, in addition to a picnic tablecloth if you have one. 

 Assorted soft drinks will be provided by MCAS hospitality. The event is open to all ages at no charge.
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EUREKA! THE BIRDS OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY - April 2019

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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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SWEET SPRINGS: Circle of Friends Celebration

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Jan Surbey MCing last year's Circle of Friends Celebration
Circle of Friends Donors unite to celebrate on June 2nd!

Everyone is invited to join the MCAS Board in welcoming the 2018 Sweet Springs Circle of Friends donors on Sunday, June 2nd.

The event will begin at 3PM with the groups gathering at the entrance to the Central part of the Preserve on Ramona (across from Morro Shores Mobile Home Park). Then the group will “bird” along the trails through the Preserve, including the East portion.

The recognition of Circle donors will begin about 4PM at the entrance to Central, where the donor kiosks are located. 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.  Circle donors are able to choose the wording they wish to appear on their plaque. The Circle of Friends option will continue during the 2019 fund drive.

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FIELD TRIP: Birding By Ear, El Chorro Regional Park, 6/1



FIELD TRIP: Birding by Ear at El Chorro Regional Park
Saturday, June 1st

RSVP Required! Limited to 17 participants**

This will be the third, and final, Birding by Ear field trip this season.

Jessica Griffiths will again lead this field trip. This field trip will focus on bird songs and calls. Jessica will ID all of the bird songs heard, and present helpful tips and mnemonic devices for remembering who sings what.

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.  Appropriate for ages 12 and up and all levels of birding expertise.

Although the field trip itself is being offered FREE of charge, there is a $5 per vehicle fee to enter the park on weekends this time of year.

**Those interested must reserve a spot by emailing Jan Surbey, MCAS field trip chair, at jan@morrocoastaudubon.org. Jan will send start time and directions to those with reservations.



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FIELD TRIP: Birdwalk in the Watershed


Birdwalk in the Watershed

Friday, May 31, 7:30-9:30 am
or
Saturday, June 1, 7:30-9:30 am

Join Roger Zachary, local Audubon field trip leader, as we walk along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail section of the Atascadero Mutual Water Company 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. Directions will be sent following registration. 

RSVP HERE or call 805-464-5347. 

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