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Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Friends of the Dunes

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Arcata, CA
Friends of the Dunes

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Friends of the Dunes is dedicated to conserving the natural diversity of coastal environments through community supported education and stewardship programs.

Friends of the Dunes is dedicated to conserving the natural diversity of coastal environments in northern California through community supported education and stewardship programs.

11/04/2026

Have you heard of seasonal wetlands? Coastal dunes are constantly changing, and the habitats that naturally occur among them change, too. Seasonal wetlands are a perfect example! 🌧 As the rainy season progresses, these low-lying areas fill with water and gradually dry out as conditions change. ✨

But why do these wetlands form? Great question! Wind shapes the dunes over time, carving out low areas called swales behind the dune ridges. 🌬 These depressions can collect rainwater, creating the perfect conditions for seasonal wetlands to develop. 💧

Next time you visit our trails, take a closer look at where these pools form. Think about how wind, water, and time have shaped these incredible habitats! ⏳

11/03/2026

Co-op Members, please vote for Friends of the Dunes! Your vote supports coastal conservation and will allow us to participate in the North Coast Co-op’s 2025 Seeds for Change Program. Voting begins Monday, November 2 and goes through Sunday, November 15. Vote online at www.northcoast.coop/vote or by paper ballot at either Co-op location. Your voice is important! Cast your vote today!

11/01/2026

Join Friends of the Dunes for a FREE Nature Story Time at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. 📚 Nature Story Time is geared towards ages 0 to 5 and is held every Wednesday from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, continuing through December 9 (skipping November 25). ⏳ Each week, there is a short story, movement activity, and art project for children and their caregivers to enjoy.

10/31/2026

A haunted house, but... dune edition. 🦇 Happy Halloween from Friends of the Dunes! 🎃 #ᴛʀᴇɴᴅɪɴɢɴᴏᴡ

10/30/2026

The rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) is a cool little amphibian that is sometimes seen in our coastal dunes! 🦎As adults, they can be both terrestrial and aquatic. They reproduce and lay their eggs in slow-moving water like seasonal wetlands! 💧 As rains create these critical refuges for wildlife, look for signs of life. ✨ Newts, frogs, and many other animals will visit these areas to feed, reproduce, or find shelter. As always, observe with care! 💖

10/28/2026

AMANITA break from this rain... just kidding, we're anxiously awaiting the beginning of our rainy season because MUSHROOMS love it! 🍄 This iconic fungus is a common sight along the dune forest during the wettest months of the year. 🌧The fly agaric, or red toadstool mushroom (Amanita muscaria), is a widely distributed mushroom native to temperate and boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere. Next time you visit the dunes, keep an eye out for these emerging beauties! 🌊

10/24/2026

✨ JOIN US TOMORROW ✨ for a fun-filled, sugar-free Halloween dune adventure during our Spooky Dunes Tour on Saturday, October 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 🦉

The quest will begin at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, located at 220 Stamps Lane, Manila. Costumes are highly encouraged, making the adventure even more festive! 🎃 Feel free to drop in anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This event is free, bilingual (Spanish), and designed for families with young children ages 3-10. 🦇

Registration is not required for groups smaller than 6 people. 💌 For large groups, please contact Friends of the Dunes at (707) 444-1397 or [email protected]. 🕷️ We can’t wait to see you there!

10/23/2026

WOW! 🦉 This beautiful photograph of a burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), was captured somewhere in the dunes by the talented Aidan Bartels (). 🙌They are a rare sight along our coast but are occasionally seen around the dunes. 🌊Staying true to their name, these owls live in burrows that they dig themselves, although they occasionally take advantage of abandoned burrows made by other ground-dwelling mammals! 🐿

10/21/2026

TWO WALKS, ONE DAY! Join us for a guided walk to the Lanphere Dunes on Saturday, November 7! 🌲

Walk #1 Features Naturalists Monika Richardson and Denise Seeger for a Guided Mushroom Walk from 10 am to 1 pm 🍄

Walk #2 is hosted by Mystic Shamaness, Ann Nehaya, who invites guests to immerse themselves in the Mystery of Lanphere from 1:30 to 3:30 pm ✨

This protected site is accessible by permit only and is home to diverse coastal ecosystems including coastal dune forest, seasonal wetlands, and large moving sand dunes. After attending a guided walk with Friends of the Dunes, participants are able to obtain an access permit to visit this breathtaking property on their own.🌊 For additional information or to REGISTER, please visit our website calendar at www.friendsofthedunes.org/calendar. 💻

Guided walks are offered every first Saturday of the month and RSVPs are required. Please contact us at 707-444-1397 or [email protected] for questions! 💌

Address

220 Stamps Lane
Arcata, CA
95521

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17074441397

Website

http://www.friendsofthedunes.org/

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