Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

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Park Stewardship: Marin

Greetings Volunteers!

The annual Muir Woods Earth Day was celebrated in fine style this year. The light rain held off until Vounteer Successlunch time and the wonderful volunteers were able to warm up with delicious chili and cornbread. Trails were tramped, paths were polished, weeds were wrecked, plants were planted, all in all it was an amazingly productive ( and alliterative )day! Thanks to all the volunteers who lent a hand and we hope you are out enjoying the fruits of your labors.

As always, we are hoping for more volunteers to come out to participate in preserving the wild lands in Marin. Please visit us here to learn about all the opportunities.

In This Newsletter:

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Curious about Coyotes

It is our pleasure to announce that coyotes recently have been spotted at Mori Point in San Mateo County! Our team of experts has determinedCoyote that none are the infamous Wile E. Coyote of cartoon legend. (Did you know the E stands for Ethelbert?) You may see these highly adaptable creatures roaming in small packs in Marin too. Their wide range of prey and curious nature have allowed coyotes to thrive in urban settings.

Coyotes are canines, like dogs and wolves. If you are unsure if what you see is a dog, wolf, or coyote, there are several distinguishing characteristics to look for. Compared to dogs', coyote tails are fuller and their noses are pointier. Also, when coyotes run, they keep their tails down between their hind legs, while dogs and wolves carry their tails in the air.

Coyote PupCoyotes have decided to make the Golden Gate National Parks their home, and we, as visitors, must respect this. For the safety of the coyotes and your pets, keep your dog on a leash. We will soon be entering coyote pupping season-when coyotes become very territorial. If you see a coyote, do not make eye contact, try to make yourself appear as large as possible, and stand between the coyote and your pets and children. If the coyote continues to approach, throw rocks or sticks to scare it away.

Remember these animals are wild, and will remain wary of us as long as they are not given food by humans. As scavengers, coyotes play an important role in balancing ecosystems, but can easily become dependent on our food sources. Coyotes eat anything from insects to birds to large mammals but, as of yet, there are no reports of these wily coyotes attacking roadrunners in the area. Meep-Meep!

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Places in Marin County to Roast a MarshmallowRoasting marshmallow

Are you craving a gooey and slightly toasted golden brown marshmallow? One pressed between two graham crackers and a piece of melted chocolate? If you were not before, you are now!  When you get the hankering for fire-roasted snacks, there is only one beach in Marin visit. Muir Beach allows campfires right by the ocean, as long as you use the provided fire rings. The beach closes at sunset, so arrive early to have time to enjoy the flames. Bring your own wood and remember to pick up any garbage that was left behind. Hopefully we will soon hear you cheerfully singing your favorite campfire songs!

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Faces of Marin County: Ranger Timothy Jordan

This month we are featuring Ranger Timothy Jordan, Interpretive Ranger and Education Coordinator at Muir Woods National Monument.

Ranger TimWhat is your favorite part of being a ranger in Muir Woods?

My favorite part of being a ranger at Muir Woods National Monument is helping people connect with nature. Hearing people talk about how amazing the ancient redwoods are as they leave is what makes my day. I never thought in my life I'd get to hear "WOW!" spoken in so many different languages.


You have a wonderful opportunity to know the trails more intimately than most visitors. What is your favorite trail to hike in Muir Woods?

My favorite trail in Muir Woods is Fern Creek Trail. In my opinion, the trail has some of the most beautiful views in the park. The trail head is about 10-minute walk beyond Cathedral Grove and the trail winds 1/2-mile through a narrow canyon before more strenuous climbing must be done.


Interpretive rangers have fun facts they share about their location. Can you share with us something most people do not know about the Muir Woods?

Most people don't know that today's main entrance to Muir Woods actually used to be the back of the park until about 1930. In the years prior to 1930, the Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway brought visitors up the mountain and the roller-coaster-like "gravity cars" gently delivered them down into Redwood Canyon. Passengers began to explore the forest from the area now known as Camp Alice Eastwood, where an inn built by Muir Woods' benefactor, William Kent, once stood. The inn's foundations can still be seen today. Once cars became the most popular form of travel, the park's entrance changed to where it is today.

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Volunteer Program Information and Workday Schedules

Habitat Restoration

  • Habitat Restoration Team
    Sundays, 9:30 am-2:30 pm.
    Habitat Restoration Team (HRT) hosts workdays throughout the Golden Gate National Parks in Marin County. For more information, contact HRT at (415) 331-0732, or click here.
  • Invasive Plant Patrol
    Wednesdays, 10 am-2pm. Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) hikes trails throughout the Golden Gate National Parks in Marin County, removing invasive exotic plants. For more information, contact IPP at (415) 331-0732 or click here.
  • Fort Baker Stewardship
    March 7
    , Monday, 10 am-Noon. Help preserve this historic landscape. To register, or for more information, click here
  • Drop-in Day at Muir Beach
    March
    26, Saturday, 10 am-1 pm. Come plant native plants around the new creek channel.  To register, or for more information click here 

Marin Nurseries

  • Redwood Creek Nursery
    Wednesdays, 10 am-1 pm. Click here for more information. To register, contact ChelseaVolunteer help! Dicksion or call (415) 338-4390.
  • Tennessee Valley Nursery
    Tuesdays, 1-4 pm. (this follows a morning field program). Click here for more information. To register, contact Liz Ponzini or call (415) 331-0732.

Beach Cleanups

  • March 12, Saturday, 10 am-Noon, Muir Beach.
    Join us every second Saturday of the month and keep our coastline clean, safe, and beautiful. For more information, click here; to register, contact Ranger Marcus Combs.

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Upcoming Marin Events

  • Beginning Birding
    March 6, Friday, 9:30- 11:30 am.
    Come enjoy the winter waterfowl of Rodeo Lagoon. To register or for more information, click here.
  • Win two spots to the Alcatraz Night Tour! Enter to win two spots for the AlcatrazAlcatraz Night Tour Night Tour. Led by our knowledgeable docents, you’ll see secret spots and hear amazing stories that the day tours never get to experience. It’s an adventure not to be missed. Enter here.
  • Check the Park Calendar for events in Marin County and for upcoming Park Academy classes.

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The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side. -Margaret Carty

When it comes time to pick teams, high school gym style, we will always pick you awesome volunteers first! Thanks for all your help.

Flash, Jessie, and Karin, on behalf of Marin’s Park Stewardship and Park Nurseries teams

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Building 201, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
P: (415) 561-3000 | F: (415) 561-3003
ParksConservancy.org

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