Seeking Volunteers to Lead Elephant Seal Field Trips
Hearst San Simeon State Park is recruiting volunteers to join the Elephant Seal School Group Docent team. School group docents lead K-12 students on guided field trips at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Those who enjoy working with youth and are passionate about wildlife are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted by June 10, 2026.
The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery is the largest mainland rookery for these amazing marine mammals. Elephant seals visit the beach twice annually: once to give birth and breed, and again to molt and grow a new coat. The rest of the year they migrate long distances, diving deep to avoid predators and find food.
Each school year, more than 1,200 students participate in this free field trip program led by California State Parks. Docents guide small groups of up to 20 students and chaperones through curriculum-aligned field trips. They are crucial to enhancing the students’ experiences at one of the most highly visited sites in Hearst San Simeon State Park. Programs last 1-2 hours and include observing elephant seals from the bluff and participating in hands-on, science-based activities.
California State Parks, in collaboration with Friends of the Elephant Seal, offers docents training on elephant seal biology, interpretive techniques, and strategies for working with students. Training consists of one zoom call, two in-person sessions, independent study, and observing a school program. Mandatory training sessions are scheduled for Thursday, July 9, via zoom, as well as Friday, July 17, and Friday, September 11, in person.
Ideal candidates enjoy working with children, have an interest in wildlife, are comfortable with public speaking, and enjoy being outdoors. Volunteers must be able to stand for over two hours, walk on uneven surfaces, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
School group programs typically occur Wednesday – Friday, so volunteers must have weekday availability. A minimum commitment of nine 2-hour field trips per school year is expected. Accepted volunteers must complete registration paperwork, a Live Scan, a background check, and the required training.
For more information and to apply, go to http://bit.ly/4egjywU. For questions, contact Bre Brown at bre.brown@parks.ca.gov.
Dignity Labs Reopens in Morro Bay
After about six months of having to find an alternative location for medical lab work in Morro Bay, folks can return to the Dignity Health Laboratory at 246 Pacific St.
The Lab closed in early December last year due to an electrical fire in a neighboring office. The Dignity office suffered smoke damage, but now everything is cleaned up and they are again seeing clients — about1300 per month.
They are open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday. They can be reached at (855) 586-7660.
Meals That Connect Serving Food in Los Osos
Meals That Connect (the Senior Nutrition Program of SLO County) serves free hot lunches every weekday at 11:30 a.m. at the South Bay Community Center at 2180 Palisades Avenue in Los Osos.
The organization is concerned that the Los Osos site may have to close due to lack of people showing up to enjoy a meal and socialize with members of the community.
The only requirement is that you are 60 years old or over. And while there is a suggested donation, the meals are free. Readers can find out what’s on the menu each day at mealsthatconnect.org. Just click on the “menus” tab. Reservations are required at least two days in advance, to make sure there will be food.
To sign up, call the site manager, Kellie, at 805-528-6923.
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