Join other CNPS members as we celebrate a Chapter tradition of welcomi ng the New Year with a walk to and BYO picnic at Franklin Point, which is p art of the Año Nuevo State Preserve on the San Mateo County coast. We will be exploring our surroundings as we casually walk towards Franklin Point, which is the most botanically interesting area of the park.
We will b e starting from the North Whitehouse Creek Trailhead which is located south of Pescadero on Highway 1, just north of the Santa Cruz County line.
We’ll enjoy ocean views, California native plants and raptors, songbirds a
nd maybe marine mammals. Coastal prairie flora we expect to see includes si
lver bur ragweed (Ambrosia chamissonis), California goldenbush (
Expect ed dune flora includes yellow sand verbena (Abronia latifolia), pi nk sand verbena (Abronia umbellata), seaside heliotrope (Helio tropium curassavicum) and American dunegrass (Eleymus mollis) . We also expect to see sea cliff bluff lettuce (Dudleya farinosa) and fleshy jaumea (Jaumea carnosa).
As this is a day to hav e fun sharing nature at the beach with fellow Chapter members, the end time and depth of botanical or fauna discussion may depend on participants pref erences.
Bring binoculars and layers of clothing for variable coastal conditions including wind, sun, precipitation and fog. We will be walking on sand dunes. Bring a lunch or snacks and fluids. Extreme bad weather cancels.
Space is limited so please reserve your spot by going to our Chapter’s Meetup page to sign u p. Driving directions and parking tips are provided on the Meetup page.
Before signing up, please read the Año Nuevo State Park restrictions at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id= 523. Note that there are no bathrooms at Franklin Point. Flush toilets are located at the main entrance of Año Nuevo State Park, which may requir e payment to enter. For more information, contact Dee Himes at T his email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript ena bled to view it..