Join co-leaders Judy Fenerty, Vivian Neou and Ray Curiel as we celebra te a Chapter tradition of welcoming the New Year with a walk to and BYO pic nic at Franklin Point, which is part of the Año Nuevo State Park on the Sa n Mateo County coast.
We will be exploring our surroundings as we cas ually walk towards Franklin Point, which is the most botanically interestin g area of the park. We will be starting from the North Whitehouse C reek Trailhead, which is located south of Pescadero on Highway 1, just north of the Santa Cruz County line. We’ll enjoy ocean views, Californ ia native plants and raptors, songbirds and maybe marine mammals.
Coa stal prairie flora we expect to see includes silver bur ragweed (Ambros ia chamissonis), California goldenbush (Ericameria ericoides) , coastal sagewort (Artemisia pycnocephala) and Argentina anserina (Potentilla anserina).
Expected dune flora includes yellow sand verbena (Abronia latifolia), pink sand verbena (Abronia u mbellata), sea side heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) an d American dunegrass (Eleymus mollis). We also expect to see sea c liff bluff lettuce (Dudleya farinosa) and fleshy jaumea (Jaume a carnosa).
As this is a day to have fun sharing nature at the b each with fellow Chapter members, the end time and depth of botanical or fa una discussion may depend on participants’ preferences.
Bring binoc ulars and layers of clothing for variable coastal conditions including wind , sun, precipitation and fog. We will be walking on sand dunes. Bring a lun ch or snacks and fluids. Extreme weather cancels.
Space is limited so please reserve your spot by going to our Chapter’s Meetu p page to sign up. Driving directions and parking tips are provided on the Meetup page.
Before signing up, please read the Año Nuevo State Park restrictions at www.pa rks.ca.gov/?page_id=523.
Note that there are no bathrooms at Fran klin Point. Flush toilets are located at the main entrance of Año Nuevo St ate Park, which may require payment to enter. For more information, contact Nabeel Al-Shamma at This email address is being protected fr om spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .