Inside this issue: Some advice from local wildlife on how to handle the summer heat, a mass migration of butterflies and a reflection on five years of Midpen's Wildland Fire Resiliency Program.
Beating the Heat
What Wildlife Can Teach Us About Staying Cool
As summer heats up, both people and wildlife face the same challenges in open spaces: how to stay cool, hydrated and safe during hot, dry days. Fortunately, the animals that call Midpen preserves home have spent thousands of years perfecting the art of heat adaptation through evolution.
Discover how local wildlife keeps cool in summer, and how we can use those same adaptations during the hottest days of the year here.
Water for Fish, Farms and People
A new project about to break ground in Midpen’s Miramontes Ridge Preserve near Half Moon Bay has been decades in the making. It will create a more reliable water supply for conservation grazing and row-crops while improving habitat for rare native frogs, fish and other wildlife. Learn more about the project here.
Five Years of Expanded Wildland Fire Resiliency Work
Five years have passed since the inception of Midpen’s Wildland Fire Resiliency Program has enabled us to expand the ongoing, year-round work we do to prepare for and prevent wildland fire and increase the ecoystem’s resilience to it. General Manager Ana Ruiz reflects on the progress made here.
June Guided Activities
They’re free, they’re fun, they’re designed with you in mind. Have you joined a docent-led activity yet? Wander through these last weeks of spring and saunter into summer with us. Choose from 24 thematic hikes and two bike rides spanning 15 different preserves. For a full list, visit our guided activities page.
An Irruption of Butterflies
In late May, did you notice bunches of butterflies fluttering about while out on the trails, in your own backyard or even driving around in your car? The Santa Cruz Mountains experienced a mass migration of brilliant orange and black California tortoise-shell butterflies(Nymphalis californica), known as an irruption. Learn more here.
Building Community
on the Coastside
Midpen and our partner ALAS celebrated community, culture and the outdoors during a guided group hike for older adults. "For many participants, it was their first time visiting such a place. They had the opportunity to learn about the local flora, breathe fresh air, and contemplate the immensity of the sea,” said ALAS Facilitator and Advisor to Seniors Juana Ruano. Read more here.
Events & Activities
Hands-on volunteer projects are a great way to get involved and expand your knowledge about the importance of land stewardship. Take part in ongoing resource management efforts or join a volunteer trails program – new projects are posted the first Wednesday of each month.
Midpen offers a number of free guided activities led by volunteer docent naturalists each month so you can explore a new preserve, learn about the natural environment or join others for ecologically sensitive outdoor exploration.
Filter for upcoming easy-access events through Midpen's event calendar and learn more about accessibility at Midpen preserves here.
Upcoming Public Meetings
Meetings may be viewed online. There is also a dial-in number to listen by phone. Links are included in the meeting agendas posted online 72 hours before the meeting. See the upcoming meeting schedule here.
Tue, Jun 9: Board Appointee Evaluation Committee
Wed, Jun 10: Board of Directors
Tue, Jun 16: Action Plan & Budget Comittee
Tue, Jun 23: Planning & Natural Resources Committee
Wed, Jun 24: Board of Directors
Careers at Midpen
Join our talented and dynamic team as we work collaboratively toward our vision and put your passion for open space to work! We don't currently have any job openings, but you can learn more about working at Midpen and see future postings here.
Other photo credits: Header: Edna Chen; Beating the Heat: Sergey Kosarevsky; Steelhead trout: Will Boucher/California Sea Grant; Wildland Fire Resiliency: Midpen; Guided Activities: Nancy Weintraub; Butterflies: Daniel Burney; Community on the Coastside: Zoe Martin; Events & Activities: Shiva Shenoy
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