MacKerricher State Park

MacKerricher Volunteers met August 27 and enjoyed hearing reports from Park Interpreter Fred Andrews along with seasonal Park Interpreters Michael Haas and Anika Williams. Many successful and enlightening programs were provided in Mendocino District state parks throughout the high season, including Junior Rangers and guided walk programs in several parks. Seasonal Park Interpreter Ryan Spencer was not there -- he provides programs at Hendy Woods. After Labor Day when the season slows the Seasonal Park Interpreters are laid off, so we wanted to have an opportunity to THANK them for a job well done.
MacKerricher Volunteers are participating in Coastal Clean Up Day on Saturday September 19. Please join us if you can at 10:00AM on Sept. 19 in the Laguna Point parking lot and we will take two hours to clean the tidepool areas while several other volunteer groups take on the beaches in our park.
Thank you to all of our staff, park hosts, camp hosts, volunteers, and the great visitors we've had who have helped us have a successful season.
Later in September State Parks will announce the major financial cutbacks that they are making to stay within their drastically reduced budget. We feel confident that MacKerricher State Park will remain open, but understand that some park units will be closed or have very short open seasons. Many services that we have come to expect may be curtailed also.
Mendocino Area Parks Association is developing a list of potential local partners that can help our state parks stay open and healthy during these difficult financial times. If you have any ideas on how to help, please contact MAPA at 707 937 4700.
Marilyn Boese

Labels: End of Summer News

School groups are arriving most week days this time of year, and abalone divers are taking advantage of the minus tides. The tidepools off Laguna Point are valuable learning environments for many visitors; there are tidepool animals, ocean plants, different rocks and sands, and birds to observe -- and our colony of harbor seals, with some pups being born soon I would expect. Please come, enjoy, observe, and take care for your safety and that of the the organisms that can be crushed and damaged by our visits.

Labels: MacKerricher springtime in the tidepools.

MacKerricher once again welcomes you to our Whale Festival activities March 20 - 22, 2009. Start out the weekend at 7:00PM at the Visitor Center - next to the Whale Skeleton - as we enjoy 'whale tales' from two local photographers that have spectacular things to show us in our program "Meetings with Remarkable Marine Mammals".
Next, on Satuday March 21, join Interpreter Fred Andrews for a fun and fact-filled Whale Walk at 11:00AM. Meet at the Visitor Center, then proceed to the viewing platform at the west end of Laguna Point board walk.
Fun for all ages - especially children - is planned for 12:30PM - 2:30PM during our annual Scavenger Hunt. You can pick up a game sheet at any of of our four locations in MacKerricher State Park, and pick up some knowledge of our favorite state park and the grey whales while you play. Stop and start wherever you choose, but plan to end at the Visitor Center.

See you then again on Sunday for another Whale Walk at 11:00AM -Noon this time with Scott Lewis, MacKerricher Park Host.
Finally, Sunday afternoon join volunteers as we have a painting party at the Whale Skeleton, whose metal framework needs a touch up.

MacKerricher Volunteers invite you to join the Coastal Clean Up at MacKerricher State Park on Saturday September 20, 9AM - 12Noon. We will meet at the Laguna Point parking lot, rain, fog, or shine. This is the west end of Mill Creek Drive.
Other volunteer groups will be cleaning the park at Pudding Creek Beach, Virgin Creek Beach, Cleone Beach, and Ward Avenue. Thanks, everyone!

Marilyn Boese

Labels: Coastal Clean Up at MacKerricher September 20.

Wednesday’s Programs this Summer at MacKerricher. Come join us!

Junior Ranger Program at 2:30 pm
Become a Junior Ranger by participating in a fun and educational nature program. Children ages 7 to 12. Meet at the whale skeleton/visitor center. The program lasts about one hour.

Campfire Talk at 8:15 pm
Come join us at the campfire center for a presentation. Topics and activities will vary each week. Have fun and learn something new! The path to the campfire center begins at the parking lot next to the park entrance station.


Thursday’s Programs
Nature Walk at 2:00 pm
Join the docent at the Lake Cleone parking lot. Learn about some of the special animals and plants at MacKerricher State Park.

Friday’s Programs
Nature Walk at 2:00 pm
Join the docent at the Glass Beach parking lot. Learn about the history of Glass Beach, about the ocean, and the local vegetation. Meet at at the corner of Elm Street and Glass Beach Drive in Fort Bragg.

Also, every Third Saturday this Summer, join docent and avid birder Dave Jensen at 9:00AM at Cleone Lake in the Park for a beginner's bird walk around Cleone Lake. Dave will have binoculars to borrow.

Labels: Summer Happenings at MacKerricher

California State Parks is leading a clean up at Glass Beach, part of MacKerricher State Park.

On April 19, 2008, the public is invited to help pick up trash at Glass Beach from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help remove waste from the natural environment that could otherwise be ingested by wildlife. Waste Management Incorporated is donating the use of a large dumpster for trash collection.
Volunteers can pick up latex gloves, plastic bags and maps at the corner of Elm Street and Glass Beach Drive in Fort Bragg, California. The waste dumpster will be at the same location.

Glass Beach is named for the smooth pieces of glass that are found along the shore in this area. The site was used as a waste dump until 1967. Over the years, powerful wave action has smoothed over countless pieces of sharp glass.

On April 22, 1970, millions of people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, state and local governments, grassroots organizations, and people like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment.

For additional information, call California State Parks at (707) 961-0471.

Labels: Earth Day

Labels: MacKerricher Whale Festival