Pacifica's Environmental Family
About us
Pacifica's Environmental Family (PEF) is a nonprofit organization, concerned about the natural world of Pacifica, California. Our goal is to increase environmental awareness in the community and in the schools. PEF works with other environmental groups in the area. Membership is open to all.
PEF member organizations:
Check out our environmental event calendar.Our projects include:
- Wetlands and dunes restoration
- Plover protection
- Cigarette butt control
- Beach cleanups
- Environmental education and outreach
Help restore dunes and wetlands
We target nonnative invasive plants (ice plant, French broom, fennel, pampas grass) for removal because they drive out beneficial native plants and destroy biodiversity. When you hike in the mountains or walk on the beach, make a pledge to stop for a few minutes to remove seed heads of fennel and pampas grass (bag and dispose of them so they can't scatter seeds) or to pull up ice plant by the roots.
Since 1997, PEF has been helping restore balance to natural processes that keep the dunes and wetlands of Pacifica State Beach (PSB) healthy for humans and animals. By removing South African ice plant, South American pampas grass, European wild radish, and rabbit grass, dedicated PEF volunteers help native plants establish a foothold. Natives such as beach burr, wild strawberry, yellow gum, sea rocket, yellow beach primrose, and fragrant beach verbena are retaking the beach. To join the rescue operation, meet us on the fourth Sunday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Portola statue in the Community Center parking lot, Highway 1 at Crespi Drive.
In addition, we hold a beach planting party every year. For other activities, check the Pacifica Beach Coalition calendar or look for announcements in the weekly Pacifica Tribune.
Check out our photo page for pictures of the beach restoration crew wearing our 10th Anniversary Beach Restoration T-shirts.
Plover protection
The Snowy Plover is a tiny shorebird, just over six inches long. Plovers nest on sandy beaches. They forage for food at PSB. You might see them along the water, finding small crustaceans and marine worms in the wet sand but you're more likely to see them in the dunes area. Unfortunately for Snowy Plovers, their favorite habitat is one that humans love too: the sandy shore. Children and unleashed dogs chase the plovers, interrupting their foraging and threatening their fledglings. Careless hikers occasionally step on nests. The species has been on the National Audubon Society's Blue List of declining species since the list began in 1972 and was listed as a federal endangered species in 1997.
Last year, volunteers saw at least 20 endangered snowy plovers in the dunes. For more information about the plover and its habitat, check out:
Cigarette butt control
Our beach stewards warn that cigarette butt filters (made of plastic) are a big problem for the golden sands. Ironically, this has worsened since no-smoking laws forced smokers outdoors. More butts are tossed outside now, where they wash down storm drains into the ocean and onto the beach. Plastic stays forever, choking and poisoning marine life, so please do your part and dispose of cigarette butts properly.
Clean beaches
The Pacifica Beach Coalition, a project of the Pacifica Environmental Family, conducts regular beach cleanups at Pacifica State Beach in Linda Mar (third Saturday of the month) and occasionally at Esplanade Beach in Pacific Manor and Sharp Park Beach.
The PBC removes some 10,000 pounds of litter yearly, mostly on Pacifica’s beaches, through regular monthly cleanups, events like Earth Day and Coastal Cleanup Day, paying students in the summer and organizing volunteers groups throughout the year.
Educational activities
We hold meetings with informative speakers and panels. Past speakers have included Dean Bernal, a noted dolphin expert, talking about wild dolphin protection and a panel from the City of Pacifica that shared information about the new Beach Boardwalk in Linda Mar and elements of the Pacifica State Beach restoration plan.
How to help -- dig deep
Along with digging up nasty weeds, please dig down deep in your pocket for the good green stuff: money to promote environmental education in the schools. Donations are tax-deductible. You can also donate on behalf of a friend of family member. We will send you a receipt and a nice card (without the donation amount) to your intended recipient.
Lynn Gallo, MFT
NorCal Surf Shop
Membership. If you'd like to become a member, or learn more about our activities, contact us by calling 650-359-7782 or email us at agewaver@earthlink.net.
Credits:
California Poppies, courtesy of Jo-Ann Ordano, California Academy of Sciences.
Ice Plant, courtesy of Jo-Ann Ordano, California Academy of Sciences.
Nesting Snowy Plover, courtesy of George W. Robinson, California Academy of Sciences. Special thanks to the folks at Montara.com, who generously host this site.
Last update 05
Event calendar
Beach cleanups
Resources
Directions to Pacifica
Ice Plant - pretty but unwelcome
Nesting Snowy Plover