Bringing Solar to Año Nuevo State Park
Part of the beauty of Año Nuevo is its remote and wild location. But this also means that it is susceptible to frequent and long-term power outages. As one of the most visited and cherished parks in California, we felt a responsibility to help keep the lights on for both visitor services and safety reasons. One option was the installation of commercial, diesel backup generators, but we felt this was not consistent with our goals of environmental stewardship. Instead, CSPA funded a complete solar and battery solution to make sure that, regardless of the weather, Año Nuevo could function independently from the power grid. This budget request was brought to the board in the beginning of the year. We are happy to report that the system is now fully installed and operational.
Upgrading the Docent ‘Roost’
The Año Nuevo docent program is one of the most important aspects of ANSP. Hundreds of dedicated and inspiring volunteers spend hours in the park in some of the most challenging weather imaginable. In moments between tours, the docents can rest and warm up in a small portable building near the staging area. But this unit was in desperate need of an upgrade. Thanks to a significant donation, CSPA was able to approve funding to improve both the interior and exterior including painting, skirt and ramp repairs, a new sink, stove, cabinets and functional furniture. It was a long overdue project and will ensure that our incredibly valuable docents can continue to do their fantastic work.
New Camera at Año Nuevo Island
The Año Nuevo Island is an incredible place teeming with history and wildlife. When the house on the island was built it was lived in by lighthouse keepers, but now the only residents are seals and sea birds! Except for researchers, no one is allowed on the island, which is why a camera is needed to view this amazing place. Over the years, the weather had taken a toll on the webcam. State Parks asked us if we could help with funding a new camera that would provide much better images. We were able to say yes. Now if you want to study this interesting part of our coast, you can do so with just a click! Take a peek here! (The camera is live from 8:00am to 5:00pm.)
New Año Nuevo Staging Building
If you have ever been on an elephant seal tour at Año Nuevo, you have seen the very small, and leaky, staging building where visitors and rangers gather before leaving for the walk. The building had a useful life, but was showing its age and could no longer serve the docent and ranger needs or handle the scores of visitors that enjoy the park. Sparked by a very generous docent donation, CSPA raised the necessary funding to replace the building. Construction started fall of 2024, and it was officially opened in December of 2024 for visitors before the year’s winter season. Please book a tour and come see the building that your CSPA donations help to create.
“Life Cycle” Boardwalk
CSPA established a fund, seeded by a generous gift from an anonymous donor, to buy materials to replace a dilapidated boardwalk near the interpretive panel in the nature preserve that explains the elephant seal’s life cycle. The old, uneven boardwalk sometimes flooded because it rested directly on drainage ground that became a temporary marsh in the rainy season. The new, 265-ft-long boardwalk is elevated and complies with ADA standards.
Telescopes at Bight Beach
Park interpreters and docents routinely set up portable viewing scopes for visitors to observe the seals and birds on Bight Beach and Año Nuevo Island. The portable scopes were purchased by CSPA some years ago, and some were in need of replacement. A permanent installation of weather-proof telescopes was proposed by park staff and readily funded by CSPA. The mounting stand accommodates both standing adults and young children as well as people in wheelchairs.
Equal Access Boardwalk Extension & Bench
A CSPA donor funded an extension of the equal access boardwalk at Bight Beach and construction of a new bench. This project is an excellent example of what can be accomplished by the enthusiastic cooperation of State Parks staff, CSPA and its donors, and volunteer builders. Patricia Lessard’s gift to CSPA paid for the materials, while volunteer Jim Mazzone designed and constructed the deck extension and bench.
Repair of a Franklin Point Deck
Volunteer Jim Mazzone also donated his time to repair the footings of an observation deck at Franklin Point. CSPA paid for the materials. Erosion of the sand beneath the original platform had left it slanted and structurally weakened.
Earlier Examples
CSPA has funded substantial improvements at Año Nuevo SP over many years. Some examples are: (1) fully funding the Equal Access Van for transporting visitors who are unable to walk to the nature preserve, (2) contributing to the Equal Access Boardwalk at Bight Beach (pictured), (3) contributing to the Interpretive Center in the old barn, and (4) funding the walkway of pavers outside the barn that covers and protects a site of archaeological importance (a solid surface of concrete or blacktop is not permitted by law).
