Friends of the Lost Coast

Redwoods Rural Garden Workday in Redway
2024-01-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Expanding youth stipend opportunities for stewardship work, Friends of the Lost Coast is partnering with Redwoods Rural Health Center to improve landscaping at their facility in Redway. The first workday is Saturday, January 13 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. The crew will meet in the clinic parking lot, located at 101 West Coast Rd #B, at 10a.m. and work will consist of gardening and invasive species removal. $10/hr stipends are available to local youth, with no experience necessary. To RSVP or register for a youth stipend, email justin@lostcoast.org. This event is open to volunteers of all ages.

Wildlife Conservation Series- Right Over The Edge: The Search for the North Pacific Right Whale
2024-01-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Online only
Wildlife Conservation on the Lost Coast is the focus of a free lecture series presented by Friends of the Lost Coast in partnership with BLM King Range. The 4-part series kicks off Wednesday, January 17 at 6p.m. with a screening of Right Over The Edge: The Search for the North Pacific Right Whale. The approximately 1 hour film will be shown via Zoom, with a Q&A afterwards featuring filmmakers, Kevin Campion and Shawnecee Schneider. The North Pacific right whale is the most critically endangered whale on the planet. Thriving in Pacific waters less than 200 years ago and commercially targeted from 1835 into the 1970’s, today approximately 30 right whales live off the coast of North America. Though extremely rare to see one in CA, it does occasionally happen, and the film’s mission is to spread awareness about these charismatic creatures and the urgent action needed to keep them from going extinct. View the trailer HERE.
The remaining series will feature weekly virtual lectures highlighting iconic species of the Lost Coast, including Roosevelt Elk with Cal Poly Humboldt Wildlife Professor, Micaela Szykman Gunther, and CDFW Environmental Scientist, Carrington Hilson on January 23; Marine Mammals & Elephant Seals with Dr. Dawn Goley, Professor of Zoology at Cal Poly Humboldt on January 30, and a final lecture on Mattole River Salmon with Nathan Queener, Biologist with Mattole Salmon Group on February 7.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FILMMAKER Q&A – Recorded 1/17/24

Native Plant Garden Volunteer Work Party
2024-01-21 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-18 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-03-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Lost Coast Nature Center & Native Plant Garden, 768 Shelter Cove Rd, Whitethorn, CA, 95589, United States
Join us in the Native Plant Garden at the Lost Coast Education Center in Whitethorn for our Third Sunday of the month volunteer work party! Please bring your own water. Snacks and tools provided. Rain cancels. Email cheryl@lostcoast.org for more information or to register for a youth stipend – $10/hr for ages 10-17.

Rescheduled! Elk lecture moved to Feb 13
2024-01-23 18:00 - 19:00 | CA
Elk on the North Coast: Research & Management has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 13. View the Feb 13 calendar page for more information.

Redwoods Rural Garden Workday in Redway
2024-01-27 10:00 - 13:00 | CA
Expanding youth stipend opportunities for stewardship and introducing Redway/Garbeville residents to the work we do in the King Range, Friends of the Lost Coast is partnering with Redwoods Rural Health Center on several events to improve landscaping at their facility in Redway. Our first event this month was rained out, but is now rescheduled for Saturday, January 27 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. The crew will meet in the clinic parking lot, located at 101 West Coast Rd #B, and work will consist of gardening and invasive species removal. $10/hr stipends are available to local youth, ages 10-17, with no experience necessary. To RSVP or register for a youth stipend, email justin@lostcoast.org. This event is open to volunteers of all ages.

Shelter Cove Workday at Mal Coombs Park
2024-01-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Cape Mendocino Lighthouse at Mal Coombs Park – Shelter Cove, 1176 Lower Pacific Dr, Shelter Cove, CA, 95589, United States
Join Friends of the Lost Coast and BLM for a day of service at Mal Coombs Park in Shelter Cove from 10a.m to 1p.m. Work will consist of weeding and planting in the native plant gardens surrounding the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse, plus invasive plant removal in the surrounding area. Meet 10am at Mal Coombs Park – 1176 Lower Pacific Dr in Shelter Cove. A limited number of $10/hr youth stipends are available to ages 10-17. Bring your own water and a snack. Gloves and tools provided. Rain cancels. To RSVP or register for a youth stipend, email justin@lostcoast.org.

Wildlife Conservation Series- Marine Mammal Research on the North Coast: Conservation & Community
2024-01-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Online only
Featuring Dr. Dawn Goley, Professor of Zoology at Cal Poly Humboldt. Presented via Zoom at 6pm on Tuesday, January 30.
Dr. Goley has been studying marine mammals in northern California for over 25 years. In this talk, she will summarize what has been learned about living and stranded marine mammals through her collaborative work with students, colleagues, BLM King Range, tribes, and local communities along the north coast. The Elephant Seal colony at Punta Gorda – which she has been researching since these animals first colonized the site in 2015 – will be a highlight of the presentation. Also featured will be data from the Stranded Marine Mammal Monitoring Project, sharing what has been learned via community “citizen science” hubs on the Lost Coast – coordinated through FOLC (Shelter Cove) and Mattole Restoration Council (Petrolia). Information on a recent leptospirosis outbreak, which caused a dramatic spike in local marine mammal mortality, will also be covered, plus a Q&A.
CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE LECTURE – RECORDED 1/30/24

Native Plant Garden Volunteer Work Party
2024-02-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Lost Coast Nature Center & Native Plant Garden, 768 Shelter Cove Rd, Whitethorn, CA, 95589, United States
Join us in the Native Plant Garden at the Lost Coast Education Center in Whitethorn for our First Thursday of the month volunteer work party! Please bring your own water and snacks. Tools will be provided. Rain cancels. RSVP required. Email cheryl@lostcoast.org for more information or to RSVP.

Wildlife Conservation Series - 40 Years of Monitoring Salmon & Steelhead in the Mattole: What Have We Learned & What Does it Mean for Restoration?
2024-02-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Online only
Featuring Mattole Salmon Group’s Nathan Queener, Fisheries Biologist and Richard Sykes, Executive Director. Presented via Zoom.
40 Years of Monitoring Salmon & Steelhead in the Mattole: What Have We Learned & What Does it Mean for Restoration?
The Mattole Salmon Group and partners have been monitoring salmon and steelhead populations in the Mattole for over four decades, and Fisheries Biologist Nathan Queener and Executive Director Richard Sykes will discuss what we know about the abundance and distribution of steelhead, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon in the watershed; how habitat conditions for fish have changed over that time; and what the MSG sees as the most important work to be done to increase the numbers of fish returning to the watershed.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING OF THIS LECTURE – RECORDED 2/7/24

Redwoods Rural Garden & Invasive Workday
2024-02-10 10:00 - 13:00 | CA
Expanding youth stipend opportunities for stewardship and introducing Redway/Garbeville residents to the work we do in the King Range, Friends of the Lost Coast is partnering with Redwoods Rural Health Center on several events to improve landscaping at their facility in Redway. February’s event is rescheduled for Saturday, February 10 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. The crew will meet in the clinic parking lot, located at 101 West Coast Rd #B, and work will consist of gardening and invasive species removal. $10/hr stipends are available to local youth, ages 10-17, with no experience necessary. To RSVP or register for a youth stipend, email justin@lostcoast.org. This event is open to volunteers of all ages.

Wildlife Conservation Series- Elk on the North Coast: Research & Management
2024-02-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Online only
Featuring Carrington Hilson, Environmental Scientist with CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Micaela Szykman Gunther, Professor of Wildlife at Cal Poly Humboldt
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has teamed up with faculty and students at Cal Poly Humboldt to research and manage elk on the North Coast of California. They’re looking to understand more about how many elk are out there, what their group composition looks like, where they range, where they come into conflict with people, and how can we alleviate that conflict. Over the years, Carrington and Micaela have worked together to estimate the population of elk along the coast and how best to count them, how to monitor elk in more forested inland areas, to understand what habitats elk prefer, and more. They are also currently working with Caltrans to test an Early Detection System for elk that will keep both drivers and animals safe along highway 101. All of this – and more – will be covered in this hour long Zoom presentation, plus Q&A.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING OF THIS LECTURE – RECORDED 2/13/24

Lost Coast Trail Stewards Work Day- Paradise Royale Trail
2024-02-17 09:00 - 15:00 | CA
All trail enthusiasts are invited to join FOLC and BLM for this extended Lost Coast Trail Stewards workday on Paradise Royale Trail in the King Range on Saturday, February 17 from 9am to 3pm, weather permitting. Work will consist of raking, brushing, downed tree removal, and trail tread on a section of the trail below Paradise Ridge Road. The group will meet at 8:50am at the intersection of Shelter Cove Rd and Paradise Ridge Rd, with carpooling available in a BLM vehicle. Please bring your own snacks, water and gloves, plus dress in waterproof layers and wear hiking boots. A limited number of $10/hr youth stipends are available for ages 12-17. Email justin@lostcoast.org to RSVP for the workday or to register for a youth stipend.

Shelter Cove Workday at Black Sands Beach
2024-02-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Black Sands Beach, 865 Beach Rd, Shelter Cove, CA, 95589, United States
Join Friends of the Lost Coast and BLM for a day of service at Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove from 10a.m to 1p.m. Work will consist of weeding and planting in the native plant gardens at the national monument site, plus invasive plant removal in the larger Black Sands Beach area. Meet 10am at the west end of the Black Sands Beach parking area – 856 Beach Rd in Shelter Cove. A limited number of $10/hr youth stipends are available to ages 10-17. Bring your own water and a snack. Gloves and tools provided. Rain cancels. To RSVP or register for a youth stipend, email justin@lostcoast.org.

Sinkyone Broom Bash #1
2024-03-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, CA, United States
Friends of the Lost Coast, Sanctuary Forest and CA State Parks are teaming up again this year on Saturday, March 2 from 10am-1pm to remove French broom in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. Meet at the Jones Beach trailhead at 10am, parking is limited and carpooling is recommended. A limited number of $10/hr youth stipends are available to ages 10-17. Email justin@lostcoast.org to register for a youth stipend or to RSVP for the workday. Tools and gloves will be provided. Please bring water and a snack and wear sturdy shoes and layers. Heavy rain cancels. To reserve a free volunteer campsite, email Michelle.Forys@parks.ca.gov.

Lost Coast Trail Stewards Workday
2024-03-03 10:00 - 14:00 | CA
Trail location and work plan will be announced soon. Email justin@lostcoast.org for more information about the Trail Stewards program.

Native Plant Garden Volunteer Work Party
2024-03-07 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-04-04 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Lost Coast Nature Center & Native Plant Garden, 768 Shelter Cove Rd, Whitethorn, CA, 95589, United States
Join us in the Native Plant Garden at the Lost Coast Education Center in Whitethorn for our First Thursday of the month volunteer work party! Please bring your own water and snacks. Tools will be provided. Rain cancels. Email cheryl@lostcoast.org for more information or to RSVP.

Redwoods Rural Garden & Invasive Workday
2024-03-09 10:00 - 13:00 | CA
Expanding youth stipend opportunities for stewardship and introducing Redway/Garbeville residents to the work we do in the King Range, Friends of the Lost Coast is partnering with Redwoods Rural Health Center on several events to improve landscaping at their facility in Redway. February’s event is rescheduled for Saturday, March 9 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. The crew will meet in the clinic parking lot, located at 101 West Coast Rd #B, and work will consist of gardening and invasive species removal. $10/hr stipends are available to local youth, ages 10-17, with no experience necessary. To RSVP or register for a youth stipend, email justin@lostcoast.org. This event is open to volunteers of all ages.

Spring Native Plant Sale & Garden Celebration #1
2024-03-24 10:00 - 15:00 | Lost Coast Nature Center & Native Plant Garden, 768 Shelter Cove Rd, Whitethorn, CA, 95589, United States
Spring is a perfect time for planting, so come stock up on native plants for your garden at Friends of the Lost Coast’s Native Plant Sale & Garden Celebration on Sunday, March 24 from 10a.m. to 3p.m., weather permitting. The nursery has a wide selection of flowering native annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees and grasses available for donation. Professional Landscape Designer and native plant expert, Cheryl Lisin, will be on hand to consult about your planting needs. There will also be fun stuff for kids and families, plus refreshments, FOLC merchandise, and garden tours!
Come discover the Lost Coast Education Center and celebrate spring with native plants, while supporting the environmental education & stewardship programs of Friends of the Lost Coast. Native plants are beautiful, resilient and many are drought tolerant, perfect for any garden, so come stock up at Friends of the Lost Coast’s Native Plant Sale & Garden Celebration. The Lost Coast Education Center & Native Plant Garden is located at the BLM King Range complex at 768 Shelter Cove Road. Look for the sign that says Native Plants! Email info@lostcoast.org for directions or more information.

Sinkyone Broom Bash #2
2024-04-06 10:00 - 13:00 | Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, CA, United States
Friends of the Lost Coast, Sanctuary Forest and CA State Parks are teaming up again this year on Saturday, April 6 from 10am-1pm to remove French broom in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. Meet at the Jones Beach trailhead at 10am, parking is limited and carpooling is recommended. A limited number of $10/hr youth stipends are available to ages 10-17. Email justin@lostcoast.org to register for a youth stipend or to RSVP for the workday. Tools and gloves will be provided. Please bring water and a snack and wear sturdy shoes and layers. Heavy rain cancels. To reserve a free volunteer campsite, email Michelle.Forys@parks.ca.gov.

Lost Coast Trail Stewards Workday - Paradise Royale Trail
2024-04-07 10:00 - 14:00 | CA
All trail enthusiasts are invited to join FOLC and BLM for this extended Lost Coast Trail Stewards workday on Paradise Royale Trail in the King Range on Sunday, April 7 from 9am to 3pm, weather permitting. Work will consist of raking, brushing, trail tread and other maintenance needs. The group will meet at 8:50am at the back of Tolkan Campground (by the kiosk). Please bring your own snacks, water and gloves, plus dress in waterproof layers and wear hiking boots (both of which are a requirement to participate). Tools will be provided. A limited number of $10/hr youth stipends are available for ages 12-17. Email justin@lostcoast.org to RSVP for the workday or to register for a youth stipend.

Redwoods Rural Garden & Invasive Workday
2024-04-13 10:00 - 13:00 | CA
Expanding youth stipend opportunities for stewardship and introducing Redway/Garbeville residents to the work we do in the King Range, Friends of the Lost Coast is partnering with Redwoods Rural Health Center on several events to improve landscaping at their facility in Redway. February’s event is rescheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. The crew will meet in the clinic parking lot, located at 101 West Coast Rd #B, and work will consist of gardening and invasive species removal. $10/hr stipends are available to local youth, ages 10-17, with no experience necessary. To RSVP or register for a youth stipend, email justin@lostcoast.org. This event is open to volunteers of all ages.

Shelter Cove Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup
2024-04-19 15:00 - 18:00 | Cape Mendocino Lighthouse at Mal Coombs Park – Shelter Cove, 1176 Lower Pacific Dr, Shelter Cove, CA, 95589, United States
Join FOLC and BLM on Friday, April 19, from 3pm to 6pm for our first Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup of 2024! We’ll meet at 3pm at Mal Coombs Park in Shelter Cove and will work until 3pm to help keep Shelter Cove’s beaches clean and pristine. FOLC will also be offering a limited number of $10/hr stipends for youth, ages 10-17, courtesy of a grant from the CA Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail program. For more information, to RSVP, or to register a local youth for a stipend, email taylor@lostcoast.org.

Earth Day Celebration
2024-04-21 10:00 - 14:00 | Cape Mendocino Lighthouse at Mal Coombs Park – Shelter Cove, 1176 Lower Pacific Dr, Shelter Cove, CA, 95589, United States
Celebrate Earth Day by helping to steward our local public lands on Sunday, April 21 from 10a.m. to 2p.m. in Shelter Cove. Join Friends of the Lost Coast and BLM King Range National Conservation Area for fun, the satisfaction of service work, free lunch for volunteers, and an Earth Day poster contest for youth. Service projects take place at Mal Coombs Park, Abalone Point and Black Sands Beach. Meet 10a.m. at Mal Coombs Park, located at 1176 Lower Pacific Dr. to sign in and break into teams to work on the different projects. The day culminates back at Mal Coombs Park at 1:15p.m. with lunch for volunteers. For more information or to RSVP, email info@lostcoast.org.

Shelter Cove Stranded Mammal Lecture w/ Dr. Dawn Goley
2024-04-26 17:00 - 18:30 | CA
FOLC & BLM are excited to host a free lecture at the Shelter Cove Community Clubhouse on Friday, April 26 with Dr. Dawn Goley, Cal Poly Humboldt Professor of Zoology and Director of the Stranded Marine Mammal Monitoring Program. In this lecture, she will highlight the work of/data collected by the Shelter Cove Community Hub of the Stranded Marine Mammal Monitoring Program, and will share what we learned through this effort and how this relates to the larger data her team collected from over 200 miles of northern CA coastline. She will also touch a recent leptospirosis outbreak that caused a significant uptick in marine mammal strandings and fatalities last summer/fall. The Shelter Cove Community Clubhouse is located at 1555 Upper Pacific Dr. in Shelter Cove. Doors at 5pm with lecture at 5:30 and Q&A to follow.
* photo by Pamela Lauer

Stranded Marine Mammal Volunteer Training
2024-04-27 09:30 - 13:30 | CA
Those who enjoy walking Shelter Cove’s beaches and are interested to contribute to the conservation of local marine mammals are invited to join Friends of the Lost Coast, BLM and Dr. Dawn Goley, Director of Cal Poly Humboldt’s Stranded Marine Mammal Monitoring Program, for a volunteer training on Saturday, April 27 from 10am to 2pm. The training will start at 9:30am at the Shelter Cove Community Clubhouse, located 1555 Upper Pacific Dr., and will be followed by a field outing that will feature an opportunity to collect data on an actual stranded marine mammal. The training will conclude at approximately 1:30pm.
Local residents are currently being sought to join the Shelter Cove stranding team, which conducts at least once-monthly monitoring of area beaches. Travel stipends for beach monitors are available. For more information or to RSVP for the free training, email justin@lostcoast.org.

Shelter Cove Workday - Black Sands Beach
2024-04-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Black Sands Beach, 865 Beach Rd, Shelter Cove, CA, 95589, United States
