Hiking for All at Half Moon Bay

199-1 University Ave,Half Moon Bay CA 94019

16 July, 2022

Description

Are you interested in environmental justice and trail access for all? Come walk the coastal bluff trail with Justice Outside and our partner WRA, Inc. Environmental Consultants on July 16th from 10:00am to 11:30am. As we hit the halfway point of the Explore-a-Thon campaign, let's get outside and celebrate joy with a hike! The hike will be lead by WRA staff Derell Griffin and Ivy Poisson who will provide insider knowledge on the unique ecology and native plants that grow there, including bluff lettuce (Dudleya farinosa) and the history of poaching for this plant genus. This beautiful and scenic 1 mile long hike takes place on the Wavecrest segment of the California Coastal Trail and there will be a number of protected and sensitive habitats and potential wildlife that will be pointed out and discussed at stops along the way. This trail is part of a state wide effort to plan and develop the California Costal Trail and showcases the use of public access rights. WRA has worked on other segments of this trail and will be able to provide information about the California Coastal Act and how building this multi-use trail is a step towards access for all along the coast. The hike will be approximately 1 mile long with plenty of stops to see native species and engage in robust discussion along the way. The trail is unpaved and narrow in some parts but is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Leashed dogs are permitted. For those driving, please allow ample time in the event of traffic and carpooling is strongly encouraged. The parking area is shared with the Half Moon little league and is a gravel lot. Please bring plenty of water and feel free to bring snacks and a picnic lunch for after the hike. If you do plan to picnic along the trail we ask that you follow the leave no trace rules and carry out all trash when you leave. ABOUT YOUR GUIDES: Derell Griffin, Restoration Landscape Designer Derell is a native of Detroit, MI and a restoration landscape designer specializing in ecological design. He holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Michigan State University. With strong interests in ecology, social justice, and water management, Derell seeks to design landscapes that function socially as well as ecologically and he believes that everyone should have access to environments that promote one’s mental and physical well-being. Ivy Poisson, Biologist Ivy started working in the environmental field giving tours to the public and restoring coastal scrub and coastal bluff habitat at a light station near Big Sur. This magical spot, called the Piedras Blancas LightStation, was inspiring to her in many ways: first, it showed that persistence and hard work can transform a degraded habitat, and second, the natural beauty of native plants and its role in ecosystems was something worth preserving and protecting. She was able to spend over a year watching seals, whales, raptors, and brush bunnies run around her work place. Since then, she has been lucky enough to receive her education and to be able to work in equally beautiful and inspiring places along the California coast, like Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and finally, the Bay Area. She hopes that she can connect as many people as possible to the natural resources thatCalifornia has to offer through her job as an environmental consultant, and through her volunteer efforts with the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society. ABOUT WRA: WRA, Inc. provides professional consulting services in plant, wildlife, and wetland ecology, regulatory compliance, mitigation banking, CEQA/NEPA, GIS, and landscape architecture. Formed in 1981, we are a certified small business (OSBCR ref. SB-PW #13333) with 100 professionals who have completed more than 4,000 projects for public agencies, non-profit, and private organizations. WRA has four California offices including San Rafael, Emeryville, Petaluma, and San Diego.