Manager’s Newsletter

Here we are - in the middle of it all! The ocean, lagoons, dunes, beaches, open space, forested hills, and open fields provide endless recreational opportunities. 

Being surrounded by natural beauty comes with added responsibility to protect both the natural environment and those we love. It is a good reminder that safe practices bring this mutual benefit. For example, keeping your dogs on leash prevents them from disturbing wildlife they may encounter. This is particularly important with respect to sick or injured wildlife, who are already under stress, and who may present a health threat to your pet, and with some diseases, from pet to human. 

Keeping dogs on lead and sticking to trails also serves the interests of rare native plants, nesting birds and other wildlife that live here. Did you know that the Bolinas Lagoon environment alone is home to fourteen endangered or threatened species living, including aquatic, reptilian, amphibian, crustaceous, plant and bird life? Additionally, the Marine Mammal Center reports the occasional threatened marine mammal rescue. 

Year round, Seadrift residents look out for the welfare of wildlife, while also protecting their pet and human loved ones. Here are some seasonal patterns to be aware of in this pursuit: 

• Delicate dunes and open space host nesting birds starting in January. Birds typically lay eggs March-May, with hatching occurring April-June. Nestlings and fledglings are particularly vulnerable for the ensuing months. 

• Marine Mammal pups are typically born in June and stay with their moms for 10 months. The Marine Mammal Center reports an influx of young animals requiring rescue in the spring, but there are any of a number of reasons rescues occur later in life. 

• Touching or approaching sick or injured wildlife can be dangerous, and poses additional risk to the vulnerable animal. In fact, a 2024 report from The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito reported that 26 percent of marine mammals rescued experienced disturbance by humans or dogs in the course of their stranding. Stay 150 feet away and report sightings immediately. 

• As with all wildlife, disease can be transmitted between species, and in some cases from animal to human (zoonotic). Keeping a safe distance and washing after contact are effective protective practices. 

At our urban wildlife interface, highly adaptable predators such as coyotes follow food sources. They are out and about in Stinson in numbers. One early morning I was drawn from my office desk to the “call of the wild” and stepped outside to soak it in. At the same time, a construction worker, parked early outside, was also drawn to witness the event. We stood together in amazement of the raucous sounds. Here is a recording I made on a different day, a similarly awe-striking experience.