Ways to support PLF

Sister Anna Voss had a lifelong passion for learning and teaching. She held a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and a Masters of Science in Biology, both from Stanford University. She taught high school and college students in Hawaii and California, creating the statewide science program for all Hawaii Catholic schools. When Sister Anna retired after teaching for 50 years, she brought her passion to her second career as a volunteer at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. A pioneer for the Point Lobos Docent Association, Anna graduated with the first docent class in 1981 and helped develop the docent-training program and accompanying training materials. Many of those materials are still in use today.

In 2011, Carl and Carol Voss and Dave and Caroline Appling created a memorial fund for Sister Anna. This fund supports the Point Lobos Docent Program and youth education programs at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Additionally it supports programs inspired or developed by docents, including:

Experience Point Lobos is a program for local fourth graders that helps to support and achieve California Science Content Standards. With two components, a presentation provided by a docent at the school prior to the visit, and a field trip to Point Lobos afterward, the program instills enjoyment, appreciation, and awareness of our natural environment. Schools receive a grant covering the cost of transportation, removing any fees associated with the program, and allowing all students to participate. More than 1,000 students from low-income schools in Gonzales, North Monterey County, Salinas, and Soledad visited the park last year as part of this program, some of who had never seen the ocean.

Easy Access Adventures was created after docents recognized the need for a different interpretive format for people who are elderly or living with physical or developmental disabilities. Docents station themselves at key locations along a trail with interpretive equipment like specialized scopes and pelts. This allows visitors to move through the trail at a comfortable speed and spend as much time as they would like at any specific station.

The “MINT” program, is a mobile station staffed by docents that allows them to interact with visitors using a wide selection of interpretive resources at various locations within the Reserve. You may see them set up at Bird Island for nesting season or it may be staffed in conjunction with special events like school group visits.

Your support of this fund honors Anna’s legacy, her spirit, and her devotion to this very special place.

Photo credit: Monica Vigna

The Carmel River State Beach fund exclusively supports habitat and trail restoration projects at Carmel River State Beach and provides a funding stream for a volunteer coordinator position to focus work in the beach area designated in the Carmel Area General Plan that encompasses Carmel River Beach, Middle Beach, and Monastery Beach.

This opportunity to protect a significant section of our precious coastal treasure was made possible through the dedication and commitment of Mike and Ellen Turbow, who recognized the need to expand the reach of PLF’s work to include the connected ecosystem along the three beach areas.

All gifts made to the CRSB fund in memory or in honor of a loved one will be listed in the Point Lobos magazine.

Tributes are a special way to show gratitude or honor a loved one. Tributes can be made to the Point Lobos Foundation with our without membership benefits. Tributes with membership require a minimum donation of $50. Donations are 100% tax-deductible and will be recognized in the Point Lobos Magazine.

Types of Tributes:

In appreciation: Thank someone.

In celebration: Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or occasion.

In honor: Honor someone.

In Memory: Remember someone.