What We Do

The nonprofit Point Lobos Foundation (PLF) provides interpretive and educational programs designed to enhance the public's awareness and enjoyment of the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The PLF assists California State Parks in managing the Reserve in several ways:

  • supports continuous trail maintenance and improvements
  • provides maintenance for the Whalers Cabin and Whaling Station Museum
  • publishes free visitor brochures encompassing all facets of the Reserve
  • funds the quarterly POINT LOBOS magazine which is provided without charge to Point Lobos Foundation members and to the public at the Reserve
  • funds a school outreach program
  • maintains interpretive collections
  • purchases and maintains spotting scopes
  • provides a library for historical and field research
  • funds the eradication of invasive plants

    In addition, the PLF funds the Point Lobos volunteer docent  program.  There are approximately 165 active docents, committed individuals who serve as volunteers for California State Parks. In 2010 the total number of hours volunteered by the docents was approximately 24,000.  This is equivalent to more than six full-time people. 

The docents provide services to visitors to the Reserve in many ways:

  •  leading nature walks for visitors and school groups
  • staffing the Information Station, providing interpretation and information services to visitors, including free brochures about the Reserve, and selling a variety of publications and other items relevant to the Reserve
  • staffing and providing visitor interpretation of the Whalers Cabin and Whaling Station Museum
  • providing helpful services to Reserve visitors on the trails themselves, for example by setting up spotting scopes to enhance the views of the Reserve’s wildlife. 

    Notably, during part of 2009 and 2010, a period of extraordinary California State Parks budget shortfalls, the PLF provided salaries to several park aides, including those who staff the entrance kiosk and the maintenance crew.

    The PLF has a seventeen-member Board, of which fourteen are elected by the membership at the annual meeting in January.  The three non-elected members are the current Docent Administrator (voting director), the State Parks Cooperative Association Liaison (non-voting) and the editor of the POINT LOBOS magazine (non-voting).  Six of the elected Board members must be active Point Lobos docents.  

    There are four officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. An Assistant Secretary and an Assistant Treasurer are also authorized by the Bylaws.

    The PLF board has the following working committees:
  • Board Development & Nominations
  • Budget and Finance
  • Executive
  • Facilities and Equipment
  • Fund Development and Membership
  • Invasive Plants
  • Merchandise
  • Planning
  • POINT LOBOS magazine
  • Publications
  • Trails