A group of us went hiking in California’s newest State Park yesterday. Fort Ord Dunes State Park is an amazing place, occupying 979 acres, including almost 5 miles of beachfront on the Monterey Bay. This gem of a park is not yet fully developed, so now is the time to take advantage of the solitude and quiet. The vegetation along the coastal area adjoining the high dunes is varied and very unique, providing habitat for rare and endangered species. We were fortunate to spot the Smith’s Blue Butterfly. There are huge dunes, windswept beaches, and pathways and roadways with amazing views. We saw and toured the old ammo storage bunkers along the dunes reminding us that over a million men trained at Fort Ord from 1917 to 1994. Read an interesting article here about this transformation. We finished the hike on the beach collecting amazing beach glass. We were also able to call the Marine Mammal Rescue Center to report a stranded baby sea lion. They sent a volunteer to the remote area and we hope all is well for this stranded mammal.
Exploring California's Newest State Park
A group of us went hiking in California’s newest State Park yesterday. Fort Ord Dunes State Park is an amazing place, occupying 979 acres, including almost 5 miles of beachfront on the Monterey Bay. This gem of a park is not yet fully developed, so now is the time to take advantage of the solitude and quiet. The vegetation along the coastal area adjoining the high dunes is varied and very unique, providing habitat for rare and endangered species. We were fortunate to spot the Smith’s Blue Butterfly.
Ammo Bunkers
There are huge dunes, windswept beaches, and pathways and roadways with amazing views. We saw and toured the old ammo storage bunkers along the dunes reminding us that over a million men trained at Fort Ord from 1917 to 1994. Read an interesting article here about this transformation.
We finished the hike on the beach collecting amazing beach glass. We were also able to call the Marine Mammal Rescue Center to report a stranded baby sea lion. They sent a volunteer to the remote area and we hope all is well for this stranded mammal.
The walkers who complete the Walk the Bay trip, 40 miles in 4 days, from Santa Cruz to Monterey, will walk through numerous California State Beaches in both Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Lifeguards on these beaches are in danger of being seriously cut back due to budget constraints. The enormous work that lifeguards do along the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary cannot be understated. From rescues at the beaches to first responder medical assistance, their help is invaluable and essential for beach safety. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is working hard to fill the budget shortfall to assure safety at Santa Cruz beaches this summer. I urge everyone to visit their Save the Lifeguards website and help in any way you can.
The walkers who complete the Walk the Bay trip, 40 miles in 4 days, from Santa Cruz to Monterey, will walk through numerous California State Beaches in both Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Lifeguards on these beaches are in danger of being seriously cut back due to budget constraints.
The enormous work that lifeguards do along the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary cannot be understated. From rescues at the beaches to first responder medical assistance, their help is invaluable and essential for beach safety.
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is working hard to fill the budget shortfall to assure safety at Santa Cruz beaches this summer. I urge everyone to visit their Save the Lifeguards website and help in any way you can.
Those of us who walk the coastline of Monterey enjoy seeing all of the wonderful marine mammals along the way. However, it is important to know what to do you did see an animal in pain or acting strangely along the coast. Thanks to the Marine Mammal Rescue, here are the 7 steps to help an injured or sick marine mamal. 1. Don't Touch and do not pick up, pour water on or feed the animal! - They are wild animals and can bite. They also are easily stressed by humans. 2. Do not return the animal to the water - Seals and sea lions temporarily "haul-out" on land to rest. Harbor seal mothers often leave their pups ashore while they're feeding at sea. A beached whale, dolphin, or porpoise should be reported immediately. 3. Observe - Observe from a distance of at least 50 ft. Keep people/dogs away. 4. Describe - Note physical characteristics such as size, presence of external earflaps, and fur color. This helps determine the species, what rescue equipment and volunteers are needed. 5. Condition - Note the animal's condition. Is it weak and underweight? Are there any open wounds. 6. Identification -Does the animal have any obvious identification tags or markings? 7. Location - Determine the exact location of the animal so you can provide directions. Call The Marine Mammal Center with as much information as you have! Response Hotlines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (831) 633-6298
Sea Otter
Those of us who walk the coastline of Monterey enjoy seeing all of the wonderful marine mammals along the way. However, it is important to know what to do you did see an animal in pain or acting strangely along the coast.
Thanks to the Marine Mammal Rescue, here are the 7 steps to help an injured or sick marine mamal.
1. Don’t Touch and do not pick up, pour water on or feed the animal! – They are wild animals and can bite. They also are easily stressed by humans.2. Do not return the animal to the water – Seals and sea lions temporarily “haul-out” on land to rest. Harbor seal mothers often leave their pups ashore while they’re feeding at sea. A beached whale, dolphin, or porpoise should be reported immediately.3. Observe – Observe from a distance of at least 50 ft. Keep people/dogs away. 4. Describe – Note physical characteristics such as size, presence of external earflaps, and fur color. This helps determine the species, what rescue equipment and volunteers are needed.5. Condition – Note the animal’s condition. Is it weak and underweight? Are there any open wounds. 6. Identification –Does the animal have any obvious identification tags or markings? 7. Location – Determine the exact location of the animal so you can provide directions.Call The Marine Mammal Center with as much information as you have! Response Hotlines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (831) 633-6298
Be one of the first to Walk the Bay. Challenge yourself in an entirely new way. You CAN walk all the way tfrom Santa Cruz to Monterey. Particularly when Slow Adventure is offering this amazing discount. Check it out! WTB June Brochure
Be one of the first to Walk the Bay. Challenge yourself in an entirely new way. You CAN walk all the way tfrom Santa Cruz to Monterey. Particularly when Slow Adventure is offering this amazing discount. Check it out! WTB June Brochure
