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Tidepools at Natural Bridges are brimming with life!
Low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones and other colorful ocean life. Pick up a free Friends Tide Book at the Natural Bridges and Seacliff ParkStores for the best time to glimpse the treasures of the deep.
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We’re celebrating Nisene Marks’ 50th Anniversary!
Visit our calendar page, join us on Facebook or sign up for our e-newsletter to learn about great upcoming events. Support Nisene by purchasing 50th Anniversary commemorative gear, available at Seacliff and New Brighton ParkStores.
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Wilder Ranch
Tackle renown mountain biking trails, explore coastal bluffs, visit the ParkStore and celebrate early 20th century life on the ranch. Friends funds the ongoing restoration effort at Wilder Ranch, including urgent roof repairs underway at one of the Victorian buildings.
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MISSION POSSIBLE!
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our community supporters, we’ve saved the park from closure for the next 3 years… if we can raise the money. Your support is needed.
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Advocacy—We can’t do it without you!
For the 2012 Park Advocacy Day, Friends’ volunteers and staff took our message of park protection and more adequate funding to Sacramento and met with Senator Simitian, Assemblymembers Monning & Beall, staffers of Assemblymember Alejo & Senator Blakeslee, and others. We were also delighted to see our very own Natural Resources Secretary, John Laird.
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Pacific Migrations Center at New Brighton State Beach
Discover the hidden histories of unique local cultures — Portuguese, Chinese and other Pacific Rim societies — that migrated to this area. Also learn about today’s migrating bird, animal and aquatic species that return each season.
Make new Friends
The parks and their programs give us all the chance to experience the outdoors and all that lives there.
50th Anniversary
Celebration of the Forest of Nisene Marks
Sunday May 19th, 2013
50 years ago, in the year 1963, the Marks family of Salinas Valley, with the assistance of the Nature Conservancy, deeded 9,700 acres of second growth redwood trees, cool canyons and steep mountain ridges to California State Parks in memory of the family matriarch, Nisene. She was an ardent lover of nature and stipulated that the property be left undeveloped. An additional 500 acres were added to the park in 1998 by contributions through the Save-the-Redwoods League and the Sempervirons Fund.
With its legacy of ancient trees, earthquakes, rugged topography, sawmills, bustling logging camps, clear cutting, lumber trains, oil exploration, years of quiet re-growth and more earthquakes, the Forest of Nisene Marks offers the opportunity to experience miles of trails in a serene, natural setting, just minutes from the rush of civilization.
Schedule of Events:
10:30-11:30 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Official opening of the Waggoner Overlook ADA trail. Hear Supervisor Zach Friend, Supervising State Parks Ranger Bill Wolcott, & others share their stories. Meet Karl Mertz, who has been a part of the park’s history for the last 94 years. Join the bagpipe procession from the kiosk to the overlook. Honor the people who have worked to preserve this beautiful place. Live music. Meet at the kiosk parking lot.
12:00-3:00 Living History Lumberjack Demo
Log splitting, hand sawing, axe throwing, tree climbing — get a sense for the early days when The Forest of Nisene Marks was owned & operated by the Loma Prieta Lumber Company (1883-1923). Learn about new sustainable forestry techniques and all that has changed in the last century. At the Mary Easton Picnic Area.
12:00-2:00 BBQ
Hamburgers, hot dogs, & more! Suggested donation: $3.00 per person. Mary Easton Picnic Area.
12:00-3:00 Kids in the Forest
Music, storytellers, Doug the Surfing Magician, face painting, treats & crafts. Bring the kids for a fun & educational adventure. Mary Easton Picnic Area.
For more information: www.advocatesfnm.org/newsevents/50th-anniversarycelebration