Año Nuevo Reserve opens education center

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[PRESS RELEASE] STATE-OF-THE-ART ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER SYMBOLIZES NEW BRAND OF PHILANTHROPY Año Nuevo State Reserve launches new 24-hour high-tech web cam, offers public intimate view of Elephant seal breeding colony to inspire more to conserve. PESCADERO, CA –California State Parks and the California State Parks Foundation today celebrates the grand opening of the new Año Nuevo State Reserve Marine Education Center with a symbolic “kelp cutting” ceremony attended by donors, state officials, foundation leadership and environmental advocates. More than $3.2 million was raised through a unique, strategic public/private partnership that will have lasting implications for the future of grant-making and state conservation efforts. The public event will be webcasted live at http://www.parks.ca.gov at noon today. Driven by the entrepreneurial conservation efforts of California Coastal Commissioner Steve Blank and his family, the California Department of Parks and Recreation teamed with the California State Parks Foundation to initiate the project. Blank led the funding which encouraged the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to help make the center a reality. “Without Steve’s strategic vision, determination and cash, this center would still be a dream trapped in the middle of two historic, but dilapidated barns,” said Ruth Coleman, Director, California Department of Parks and Recreation. “This marine education center is a great example of an innovative public/private partnership helping the State and the people of California build something together.” “We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to work with State Parks, the State Coastal Conservancy, the San Mateo Coast Natural History Association and a host of private donors including Steve Blank and his wife Alison Elliott to make this area accessible to tens of thousands of visitors each year who can now learn firsthand why we must all work together to preserve such special places,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, President, California State Parks Foundation. Less than an hour’s drive south of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, Point Año Nuevo, low, rocky, and windswept, juts out into the Pacific Ocean. Wild and pristine, the undeveloped stretch of California coastline is the only place of its kind, a treasure where wild Elephant seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals come ashore to rest, mate and give birth in the sand dunes or on the beaches and offshore islands. “As an advocate for the fragile San Mateo Coast, I’ve put my money where my mouth is and I am honored that others are inspired to do the same,” said Steve Blank, California Coastal Commissioner, lead donor and neighbor. “I am especially heartened by the response of public agencies such as State Parks who have stepped forward as a partner to ensure the long term protection of this natural and historic jewel.” Just across the hill from the bustling Bay Area and Silicon Valley, Año Nuevo State Reserve is a designated viewable Wildlife Protection Area and home to one of the largest mainland breeding colonies of northern elephant seals in the world. One of the highlights of the Marine Education Center is its new 24-hour a day web cam that visitors can self operate to view these massive elephant seals in their natural habitat on nearby Año Nuevo Island. The public can view seals interacting with each other, giving birth and feeding young pups. Other marine life, including the Stellar sea lion, the California sea lion and the harbor seal, can also be viewed. Park visitors also have access to a trail down to the beach where they can see these 1400-pound mammals up close. “Año Nuevo State Reserve is already one of the most highly visited State Reserves in the park system, and now this 4,000-acre living museum offers even more to the public through enhanced facilities and new technology showcasing one of California’s greatest natural treasures,” said Park Ranger Gary Strachan. “I can’t wait to see the faces of the tens of thousands of school children who visit this park annually when they get their hands on these exhibits for the very first time.” The Marine Education Center is housed within three historic structures, which are listed on the national historical building registry. These buildings were restored from a state of deterioration for the purpose of saving these historic structures and to house the new educational facilities for school programs, space for exhibits and an administrative center. More than 7,400 feet of floor space was added or modified to accommodate the growing popularity of the state reserve. Año Nuevo is one of the most visited of California’s state parks with more than 200,000 annual visitors including 25,000 school children. The California State Parks Foundation, the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the San Mateo Coast Natural History Association raised more than $3 million for the project from key donors including Steve Blank and Alison Elliott; California Coastal Conservancy; The David and Lucile Packard Foundation; Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund; Gabilan Foundation; Silicon Valley Community Foundation; Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr.; David B. Gold Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; San Mateo Coast Natural History Association; Giles W. and Elise G. Mead Foundation; National Park Service; Donald E. and Diane Cooley; The Mary A. Crocker Trust; and Philanthropic Ventures Foundation. About California State Parks Foundation With our 95,000 members, the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) is the only statewide, independent, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and advocating for California’s magnificent state parks. Since 1969, CSPF has contributed more than $136 million to benefit state parks. CSPF is committed to improving the quality of life for all Californians by expanding access to the natural beauty, rich culture and history, and recreational and educational opportunities offered by California’s 278 state parks—the largest state park system in the United States.