After such a long absence, the water around Crystal Cove State Park has been noticeably teeming with Macrocystis pyrifera, or Giant kelp. It is a magical transformation that can be attributed to the hard work and diligence of marine biologist Nancy Caruso who spent the past nine years working to restore the kelp beds from Newport down to Laguna Beach. According to Nancy, when she and her team began this painstaking project, there were no mature kelp plants to harvest and use for host plants. Rather, with the assistance of 4,500 students and teachers they grew kelp in their classrooms, starting from microscopic spores attached to tiles. Once the plants were just barely big enough, Nancy and her 250 volunteer divers transplanted them into our local waters. Their biggest obstacle was the prolific predator of the kelp itself, sea urchins, which feed on the kelp and other algae growing on the reef, and were found in abundance. Before re-vegetating the kelp forest, Nancy and her team had to relocate the sea urchins from areas that had historically supported one of the largest kelp beds in Orange County, but had now been reduced to what are referred to as urchin barrens. Even though sea otters don’t live this far south (not legally anyways) I kept expecting to see one pop its furry head up through the thick canopy. Now that the Giant kelp has established itself on its original stomping grounds, Nancy plans to focus her efforts on reintroducing the green abalone, a species of concern, back to the kelp forests. Hopefully, Crystal Cove State Park will once again play an important role in this project with the Marine Research Facility being used as a laboratory.

Although algae is commonly referred to as a marine plant, it is important to note that they are not actually plants (as we know them) at all as they lack the various structures including seeds, roots, and leaves that characterize land plants. In fact, Surfgrass is the only marine flowering plant found in the park as it meets the necessary characteristics to be considered a plant. These are: can live in saltwater, can grow even when completely submerged, must be securely anchored to withstand water currents and must use water to spread seeds for pollination. The rest of those brown, green, and red looking “plants” found in the tidepools, or washed ashore are considered algae, which differs from marine plants in a couple of ways. Most significantly, algae do not have true roots, but rather float and move with the tide. The more highly developed types of algae usually have a basal disk, called a holdfast, and a frond of varying length and shape, which often resembles a plant in having stemlike and leaflike parts. Secondly, algae do not flower. These two facts prevent algae from being classified as a flowering plant. If you’d like to learn more, stay tuned for an algae beach walk coming this winter.

With so many new volunteers starting smack at the busiest time of the year, especially in the Historic District, it is a good time to remind everyone of, what Senior Environmental Scientist Dave Pryor coined the “Yuck Factor.” Although it may look like urban runoff, that ugly looking soup in both the Los Trancos and Muddy creeks is actually naturally occurring groundwater mixed in with seawater from high tide which adds salt water and other flotsam and helps create this natural condition. This pooling, somewhat stagnant looking water appears “yucky,” but looks can be deceiving. It is not composed of oils, trash, and other types of urban living, because the surface runoff from the communities upstream from the park are actually diverted by pumps at both Los Trancos and Muddy Creeks to the sewer system. Of course, trash is not natural, and our staff works to remove it, but the green algae that floats to the top is a naturally occurring component of this freshwater system and a food source for some creatures . So call it “YUCKY” looking, but don’t panic, it’s organic!!!!

Not long ago I mentioned my obsession with finding a bird that continued to elude me. I have since given up hunting the White-faced Ibis and simply accepted that I was skunked. In fact, I had just gotten over this irritation, when I was rewarded with the viewing of several tropical birds at the
majestic lighthouse in Kilauea on Kauai that I joyfully added to my life list. From there, I spotted Red-footed Boobies, the Magnificent Frigatebird, White-tailed and Red-tailed Tropicbirds, and nesting Pacific Sheawaters who were literally sitting on their eggs adjacent to the trail. Closer to home, on a walk along the coastal path in the park, I observed a family of ravens. What intrigued me was that it appeared that the adults (presumably a male and female) were preparing the juveniles (four siblings) for independence. It was as if mom and dad were in one corner talking quietly while the children struggled with basic tasks. I know I am reading a lot into this encounter, so what I have learned is that females exclusively incubate the eggs but both parents care for the young once they hatch and that the young leave the nest after 4-7 weeks. At this time, they can fly short distances and usually stay close to the nest for another week or so. Maybe I wasn’t so far off. I am disappointed that I did not see the newborn babies however, as one source wrote that “raven chicks are born naked except for sparse tufts of grayish down, eyes closed, clumsy, and looking like grotesque gargoyles.” Great description.

This year, I wholeheartedly feel that Camp Wild was the best ever. We had 23 children, ages 7-11 and for some delightful reason, the group just clicked. Many of them were buddies at school and half the campers were returnees. Our theme was “Nature Detectives” and we used the lessons from Jon Young’s inspiring book Coyote Mentoring for our activities, techniques, and strategies. I spent the most fabulous week amongst naturalists who I admire and respect. We spent the first day at Bommer Canyon with Amy Litton, the next at the Upper Newport Bay with Sue Stoffel, followed by the amazing team of Kimberly Leeds and Laura Cohen at Laguna Wilderness Park, I hosted the 4th day at Crystal Cove, and we were treated to the Native American skills of Mark Mendez at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary (and were fortunate to have nature goddess Debra Clarke join us too.) Without a doubt one of my favorite aspects of Camp Wild is getting to share the week and the natural world with my own two sons, Alex, who is the longest camper of all at 7 years, and Zack who has been enjoying camp for 6 years. My favorite comment of the week was while walking along the boardwalk at Crystal Cove and while gazing out at the coastal bluff young Kendra commented that “it looked like a rainbow.” Although missing indigo, I agreed with Kendra’s observation. The colors from the blue sky down to the golden tarweed were striking. What an educational week for us all.

Just as Camp Wild was a raging success for me, Crystal Cove Alliance is gearing up to host another triumphant event with what they are expecting to be “the most spectacular beach party of the year.” On Saturday, September 25 CCA will celebrate with their Rumrunner’s Party and Jazz on the Beach. Party-goers will enjoy sipping authentic prohibition cocktails at sunset then dancing on the beach to live jazz music while enjoying deliciously prepared coastal cuisine from Pelican Hill Resort and the Montage Laguna Beach. For more information and tickets see HTTP://www.crystalcovealliance.org

I’m not a real birthday person, but I did notice in an outdoors calendar recently that Smoky Bear and I share a special day. I had forgotten this tidbit, and must admit I can’t think of any other public figure I’d rather be associated with then good ol’ Smokey Bear. I mean, why not? His entire campaign (yes I do realize I am anthropomorphisizing Smokey) was a positive one teaching children about forest preservation. My brother-in-law Alan was the one who shared this news with me and when he did he sang me two songs: Happy Birthday and Smokey’s theme song. So, although I don’t have the music to accompany these words, I hope you’ll all join me in a rousing rendition of:

Smokey-the bear, Smokey – the bear. Prowlin’ and a growlin’ and a sniffin’ the air. He can find a fire before it starts to flame. That’s why they call him Smokey, that’s how he got his name.