By: Catelyn Olrich, Coastal Advocate Intern

Among all of the beautiful beaches and places we get to survey with the MPA (Marine Protected Area) Watch Program, Limantour Beach might be my favorite. The MPA Watch program is a community science program that collects data on how people are recreating in specific regions of the California coast called Marine Protected Areas or MPAs. As Coastal Advocate Interns with the EAC, Jessie, Ben, and I have been learning how to collect survey data, and train volunteers to conduct surveys themselves. Volunteer surveys contribute data to a statewide database that informs management of MPAs by state and local agencies and organizations.

On a bittersweet note, this was my last MPA Watch Training of the summer. But I was glad that we got to meet our biggest group of volunteers yet. It is always the best meeting the folks who chose to spend their time volunteering with us. I also got to bring along my college friend, who was visiting from Seattle. It was special to share California’s Marine Protected Area program, while giving her an insight as to how I have been spending my summer. I imagine she was also happy to take a long walk on the beach. I think everyone was, especially once the fog turned to blue skies.

We also noticed that the highest part of the intertidal zone has been temporarily closed by the National Parks Service (NPS) to protect threatened snowy plover nesting. It turns out that Limantour is actually the most successful site this season! Checkout this Snowy Plover Update by Matt Lau for more information.

https://www.nps.gov/pore/blogs/snowy-plover-update-july-15-2023.htm

Needless to say, Limantour did not disappoint, and it never does. Make sure to check it out if you haven’t already. Better yet, join the next MPA Watch Training!

To learn more about MPA Watch and upcoming training sessions, please click here!