The following is a press release issued by the Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association:
2022 has been an incredible year for field trips at Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park, a welcome comeback since COVID shut down group outings in March of 2020. The first of the year was in February, when the two sixth grade classes from Mendocino K-8 celebrated their very first school outing since the beginning of COVID. Needless to say, the kids, teachers and Point Cabrillo educators were all enthusiastic about getting back out there!
The theme for the field trip was restoration: a chance for our local middle schoolers to learn about Northern California ecosystems. Groups walked down the northern trail discussing the native and non-native flora and fauna of the California coastline. The Point Cabrillo education team shared the story of the thousands of volunteer hours for over two decades to protect this park and its historic structures for generations to come.
The project for this sixth grade field trip was removing invasive ice plant, and those students did an incredible job. Valiant efforts were made to pull up the ice plant and make it ready for the State Parks team to dispose of. With the break in February’s strong winds and a beautiful blue sky day, everyone involved felt rewarded by taking care of Mendocino’s treasured ecosystem. The students, teachers and educators were reminded of the resilience of both ourselves and the earth, as well as the importance of taking care of our planet.
Since that first field trip in February, the education team has welcomed nearly one thousand school children to enjoy the outdoors and learn about our local and natural history at Point Cabrillo. We look forward to even more groups throughout the rest of this spring and summer!
If your school group is interested in visiting Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park for a field trip sponsored by the Point Cabrillo Lightkeepers Association next season, please contact Pam Huntley at 707-472-6240 or pjhuntley@hotmail.com.
I look soo devious ???