Crystal Cove Conservancy

The Great Plein Air Art Experience
2024-06-12 09:00 - 14:00, 2024-06-10 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove Film & Media Center, Cottage #13 (The Beaches Cottage), Historic District, Crystal Cove State Park
Celebrate over 100 years of plein air art at Crystal Cove State Park and spend a relaxing day capturing the beauty of the Cove on canvas with the help of a Crystal Cove plein air artist! No experience required; this introductory class is recommended for novices only.
All supplies will be provided! Class size is limited to 12. Minimum age is 16. Sign-up using the form below.
Please note: a break will be provided for lunch, but lunch is not provided.
Time: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Instructor: Debbie Morines
Location: Cottage #13 (The Beaches Cottage), Historic District, Crystal Cove State Park
What to Bring: Water, sunscreen, long sleeve shirt, hat, and stool or chair (optional)
Parking: Available in the Los Trancos Parking Lot. $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass
Price: $150 per workshop; $130 for Crystal Cove Conservancy members
Fill out my LGL Form!
Fill out my LGL Form!

Art Class Cancellation Policy
Any cancellation or transfer requests must be received by Crystal Cove Conservancy at least 72 hours before the start of the event.
No refunds or transfers will be issued for no-shows or for change requests received after this time. You may request a cancellation by emailing Erin Andreatta at ErinA@crystalcove.org.
In the event of cancellation on behalf of Crystal Cove Conservancy due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Crystal Cove Conservancy will offer participants the choice of a refund or a transfer to a comparable event, if available.

Tuesdays in the Commons
2024-06-11 10:30 - 13:30, 2024-06-04 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Education Commons, 5 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA, 92657, United States
Stop by the Education Commons in the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District each week on Tuesday for new hands-on educational activities that will help participants learn about ongoing conservation work at the park, the critical habitats at Crystal Cove, and how it all connects with landscape scale efforts to protect and preserve the natural world.

The Great Plein Air Art Experience
2024-06-05 09:00 - 14:00, 2024-06-03 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove Film & Media Center, Cottage #13 (The Beaches Cottage), Historic District, Crystal Cove State Park
Celebrate over 100 years of plein air art at Crystal Cove State Park and spend a relaxing day capturing the beauty of the Cove on canvas with the help of a Crystal Cove plein air artist! No experience required; this introductory class is recommended for novices only.
All supplies will be provided! Class size is limited to 12. Minimum age is 16. Sign-up using the form below.
Please note: a break will be provided for lunch, but lunch is not provided.
Time: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Instructor: Debbie Morines
Location: Cottage #13 (The Beaches Cottage), Historic District, Crystal Cove State Park
What to Bring: Water, sunscreen, long sleeve shirt, hat, and stool or chair (optional)
Parking: Available in the Los Trancos Parking Lot. $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass
Price: $150 per workshop; $130 for Crystal Cove Conservancy members
Fill out my LGL Form!
Fill out my LGL Form!

Art Class Cancellation Policy
Any cancellation or transfer requests must be received by Crystal Cove Conservancy at least 72 hours before the start of the event.
No refunds or transfers will be issued for no-shows or for change requests received after this time. You may request a cancellation by emailing info@crystalcove.org.
In the event of cancellation on behalf of Crystal Cove Conservancy due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Crystal Cove Conservancy will offer participants the choice of a refund or a transfer to a comparable event, if available.

Speaker Event: Rich German, Founder of Project O
2024-05-28 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove Cottage Check-in Deck, #35 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA, 92657, United States
Join Crystal Cove Conservancy as we fall even more in love with the ocean during a special speaker event featuring marine conservation advocate and Founder of Project O, Rich German.
Guests will enjoy a special presentation and Q&A conversation with Rich, as he highlights the ocean’s beauty and its marine life as seen through his eyes, while also sharing about the perils our planet faces that impact humans. A post-event reception will be held for guests to mingle, as they enjoy complimentary light bites and drinks on the deck.
When: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 4:30-6:30 PM
Where: Cottage Check-in Deck in the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District
Parking: Please park in the Los Trancos Parking Lot across PCH. There will be a $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass.
Event is free, but RSVP is required! Sign-up using the form below.
**This event takes place outdoors, so please dress accordingly!**Fill out my LGL Form!

ABOUT RICH GERMAN
Rich German is an entrepreneur and environmental advocate with an unyielding passion for the ocean. Since 1999 he has been a respected business coach, speaker, and best-selling author of three transformative books – including his photo book Blue Laguna, a visual testament to the marine life he has encountered from his paddleboard. Since 2010, Rich has paddled an astonishing 30,000 miles and has documented over 2,000 awe-inspiring interactions with dolphins and whales. His photographic work has been featured by National Geographic, The New York Times, NPR, The BBC and more.
Rich’s passion led him to found Project O, a non-profit organization committed to the protection of our ocean and the fragile life within it. Through its Blue City Network, his organization guides cities toward regenerative practices, harmonizing the progress of urban development with the needs of the environment.
Rich speaks regularly to students in southern California, inspiring them to fall in love with the ocean and join the efforts to protect the planet. His voice reaches further through his Our Epic Ocean podcast, where he engages with top experts to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
Based in the breathtaking city of Laguna Beach, California, Rich exemplifies the remarkable potential of aligning passion and purpose. His journey stands as a testament to the transformative impact one individual can make through love for the planet and more importantly to the massive change possible utilizing the power of collaboration.
https://project-o.org/

Art in the Park
2024-05-04 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove State Park Historic District
Artwork courtesy of: Pamme Turner, “Art in The Park/Crystal Cove” (Watercolor/12X16)

Crystal Cove Conservancy and Crystal Cove State Park invite guests to enjoy a day of music and art in Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District on Saturday, May 4 from 10:00AM-4:00PM. Guests can shop arts and crafts at a bazaar, learn about the Acjachemen Nation while basket weaving, discover the traditional Japanese method of fish printing, Gyotaku, interact with a conservation-themed puppet show, as well as create an art piece of your own with plein air art, nature drawing, and more!
Schedule of activities subject to change leading up to the event. All activities are free to join unless required registration is noted below. $15 day use parking fee applies.
Arts & Crafts Bazaar
10:00AM-4:00PM
Location: Education Commons
Shop gifts, fine art paintings, artisan gemstone jewelry, eco-friendly candles, hand crafted sustainable jewelry, and more by local artists! Vendors will include Crystal Cove Conservancy Founder Laura Davick, Anne Kupillas fine art, Laura Klepfer art, Teressa Jackson art, Novaura Jewelry, reNvinted Jewelry, Timothy Pitts photography, Serenity Candles, Michael O. Smith illustrations, Marti Davidson, David Michael Vaughn multi-sensory fine art, Gail Poltorak fine art, and Kimberleigh Wood art.
Plein Air Art
Time: 10:00AM-2:00PM
Location: Historic District Promenade (located near the Beachcomber)
Nature Drawing
Time: 10:00-11:00AM
Location: Cottage #22
Sea Life Mosaic Collage
Time: 11:00AM-12:00PM
Location: Cottage #13
Origami
Time: 12:00-1:00PM
Location: Cottage #22
Guitar & Banjo Performance
Time: 12:00PM-1:00PM
Location: Visitor’s Center
Gyotaku: Traditional Japanese Fish Printing
Registration is REQUIRED for this event.
Time: 1:00PM-2:00PM
Location: Cottage #22
Cost: $20 (all materials included)
Dating back to the mid-1800s, Gyotaku was originally used by Japanese fisherman as a way to record their extraordinary catches. Traditional Gyotaku consists of swabbing the surface of a fish with calligraphy ink, called sumi, created from pine soot and water, and pressing a sheet of traditional Japanese paper made from mulberry bark, called washi, onto the inked surface to produce a print.
REGISTER HERE!
Native American Basket Weaving
Registration is REQUIRED for this event.
Time: 2:00-3:00PM
Location: Cottage #34 Deck
Cost: $25 (all materials included)
Join Jacque Nunez, a descendent of Crystal Cove’s local tribe, the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation as she shares her cultural history through basket weaving and storytelling.
REGISTER HERE!

Conservation Puppet Show
Time: 2:00PM-3:00PM
Location: Visitor’s Center
Kids and adults alike can participate in a conservation-themed puppet show, where they will meet some native wildlife at Crystal Cove and learn how we work to protect important native species.
Native American Basket Weaving
Registration is REQUIRED for this event.
Time: 3:00-4:00PM
Location: Cottage #34 Deck
Cost: $25 (all materials included)
Join Jacque Nunez, a descendent of Crystal Cove’s local tribe, the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation as she shares her cultural history through basket weaving and storytelling.
REGISTER HERE!
Cancellations for registered events:
Any cancellation requests must be received by Crystal Cove Conservancy at least 72 hours before the start of the event. No refunds or transfers will be issued for no-shows or for change requests received after this time. You may request a cancellation by emailing info@crystalcove.org. In the event of cancellation on behalf of Crystal Cove Conservancy due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Crystal Cove Conservancy will offer participants the choice of a refund or a transfer to a comparable event, if available.

Stewardship Saturday
2024-04-20 08:00 - 11:30, 2024-03-16 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver)
Welcome to Stewardship Saturday!
Come help us as we work alongside California State Parks on habitat restoration projects during Stewardship Saturday! Stewardship Saturday is a volunteering opportunity open to all, which aims to connect people with the natural history and beauty of Crystal Cove State Park through stewardship efforts.
Participants will aid in activities to help restore ongoing restoration projects throughout the park. The activity for the day (site preparation, weeding, seeding, and planting) will be dependent on site needs and the time of year. No experience is required!
This event is recommended for ages 8 and up. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration will be capped at 15 participants per day.
Event is free. RSVPs required! Sign-up using the form below.
Please contact Jennifer Mendez at jennifer@crystalcove.org with any questions!

Current Project Sites:
The Bowl:

Hike level- Medium
Be prepared to walk about 30 minutes to project site (~1.50 miles to site; ~3.0 miles round trip) on slightly uneven, mostly flat terrain, however, there is elevation gain as you approach the site.

Costal Bluffs:

Hike level- Easy
This site is easily accessible from the parking lot and does not require any hiking.

Stewardship Friday
2024-04-19 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver)
Welcome to Stewardship Friday!
This event is closed for a private event.
Come help us as we work alongside California State Parks on habitat restoration projects during Stewardship Friday! Stewardship Friday is a volunteering opportunity open to all, which aims to connect people with the natural history and beauty of Crystal Cove State Park through stewardship efforts.
Participants will aid in activities to help restore ongoing restoration projects throughout the park. The activity for the day (site preparation, weeding, seeding, and planting) will be dependent on site needs and the time of year. No experience is required!
This event is recommended for ages 8 and up. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration will be capped at 15 participants per day.
Event is free. RSVPs required! Sign-up using the form below.
Please contact Jennifer Mendez at jennifer@crystalcove.org with any questions!
Current Project Sites:
The Bowl:

Hike level- Medium
Be prepared to walk about 30 minutes to project site (~1.50 miles to site; ~3.0 miles round trip) on slightly uneven, mostly flat terrain, however, there is elevation gain as you approach the site.

Costal Bluffs:

Hike level- Easy
This site is easily accessible from the parking lot and does not require any hiking.

Cove Talk: A Conversation with California’s Secretary of Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot
2024-04-03 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove Cottage Check-in Deck, #35 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA, 92657, United States
Join Crystal Cove Conservancy on the Cottage Check-in Deck for a conversation between Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Conservancy President & CEO, Kate Wheeler, as they discuss issues facing California’s vast protected lands and waters.
Guests will have the opportunity to engage in a guided discussion and Q&A session with Secretary Crowfoot as he delves into topics such as strengthening California’s climate resilience, maintaining biodiversity, and expanding equitable access to the outdoors.
When: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 5PM with a sunset reception to follow
Where: Cottage Check-in Deck in the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District
Parking: Please park in the Los Trancos Parking Lot across PCH. There will be a $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass.
Event Schedule:
5-6PM: Guest welcome, interview style discussion, audience Q&A
6-7PM: Reception with light bites and drinks until the sun sets at 7:15
Event is free to attend, but RSVP is REQUIRED!
Sign-up using the form below.
**This event takes place outdoors, so please dress accordingly!**
Fill out my LGL Form!

Thanks to Bank of America for generously sponsoring this special Cove Talk!

ABOUT SECRETARY CROWFOOT
Wade Crowfoot serves as California’s Natural Resources Secretary (CNRA), leading efforts to conserve California’s environment and natural resources. He has served as Secretary since 2019 and advises Governor Newsom as a member of his cabinet.
Secretary Crowfoot oversees an agency of over 25,000 employees spread across 26 departments, commissions, and conservancies. His agency is charged with stewarding California’s forests and natural lands, rivers and water supplies, and coast and ocean. It also protects natural places, wildlife and biodiversity, and helps oversee the state’s world-leading clean energy transition.
Secretary Crowfoot is leading efforts to achieve Governor Newsom’s ambitious environmental vision, including a commitment to conserve 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030. He oversees billions of dollars of public investment to protect people and natural places from climate change impacts, and has led efforts to navigate California’s record-breaking droughts, floods, and wildfires. Secretary Crowfoot has also initiated a new era of partnerships with California Native American Tribes and is shifting how the agency operates to better support all California residents and communities.
Secretary Crowfoot has been on the frontlines of environmental leadership throughout his career. He served in Governor Jerry Brown’s Administration as deputy cabinet secretary and senior advisor to the Governor, driving climate action. He led the non-profit Water Foundation to build water resilience across the American West. He spearheaded efforts to establish and defend California’s landmark climate change policies as West Coast regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund. As an environmental advisor to then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, he helped establish many first-in-the-nation urban environmental policies. Secretary Crowfoot received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.
Wade grew up in Michigan spending summers at a YMCA camp and in the woods around his family’s remote cabin in Northern Ontario. He moved to California in the mid-1990s and discovered backcountry camping with friends. His first time in the redwoods at Big Basin State Park is still one of his defining California moments. He loves to camp with his wife and daughter and learn new things in the outdoors, currently including fly fishing and soon backcountry skiing. He says his best days in as Natural Resources Secretary are spent outdoors with local groups that are conserving land and connecting people to nature.
For more information about Secretary Crowfoot and the California Natural Resources Agency, visit resources.ca.gov.

Project Crystal Data Analysis- Webinar for Educators
2024-03-11 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Denver)
In this second professional development session for teachers participating in Project Crystal, we will focus on how to analyze the results of our experiment in Moro Canyon. This 1-hour webinar from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm will be a crash course in supporting your scientists in thinking about how best to represent data through statistics, making graphs, and using their graphs as evidence to support a recommendation.
Project Crystal is a multi-week program aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for 5th grade.
Click here to learn more about Project Crystal!
Register for this webinar below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

Project Crystal Code Data Analysis – Webinar for Educators
2024-03-04 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Virtual Event
During Project Crystal Code, 7th-grade students are invited to explore the role that decomposition and technology play in the restoration of coastal sage scrub! During this multi-week program, students are introduced to how we can use technology to protect our wild places. Virtual Project Crystal Code builds on ideas from Project Crystal as participants design computer models and construct and code sensors to investigate decomposition and the carbon cycle.
Join us for a 60-minute webinar for teachers participating in the Project Crystal Code 7th grade program for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn how to analyze your data using SageModeler and how to interpret the data you’ve analyzed.
Learn more about Project Crystal Code by checking out last year’s project here!
Register for this webinar below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

Stewardship Saturday - CANCELLED DUE TO TRAIL CONDITIONS
2024-02-24 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver)
*CANCELLED DUE TO TRAIL CONDITIONS*
Welcome to Stewardship Saturday!
Come help us as we work alongside California State Parks on habitat restoration projects during Stewardship Saturday! Stewardship Saturday is a volunteering opportunity open to all, which aims to connect people with the natural history and beauty of Crystal Cove State Park through stewardship efforts.
Participants will aid in activities to help restore ongoing restoration projects throughout the park. The activity for the day (site preparation, weeding, seeding, and planting) will be dependent on site needs and the time of year. No experience is required!
This event is recommended for ages 8 and up. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration will be capped at 15 participants per day.
Event is free. RSVPs required! Sign-up using the form below.
Please contact Jennifer Mendez at jennifer@crystalcove.org with any questions!

Current Project Sites:
The Bowl:

Hike level- Medium
Be prepared to walk about 30 minutes to project site (~1.50 miles to site; ~3.0 miles round trip) on slightly uneven, mostly flat terrain, however, there is elevation gain as you approach the site.

Costal Bluffs:

Hike level- Easy
This site is easily accessible from the parking lot and does not require any hiking.

Stewardship Friday - CANCELLED DUE TO TRAIL CONDITIONS
2024-02-23 08:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver)
*CANCELLED DUE TO TRAIL CONDITIONS*
Welcome to Stewardship Friday!
Come help us as we work alongside California State Parks on habitat restoration projects during Stewardship Friday! Stewardship Friday is a volunteering opportunity open to all, which aims to connect people with the natural history and beauty of Crystal Cove State Park through stewardship efforts.
Participants will aid in activities to help restore ongoing restoration projects throughout the park. The activity for the day (site preparation, weeding, seeding, and planting) will be dependent on site needs and the time of year. No experience is required!
This event is recommended for ages 8 and up. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration will be capped at 15 participants per day.
Event is free. RSVPs required! Sign-up using the form below.
Please contact Jennifer Mendez at jennifer@crystalcove.org with any questions!

Current Project Sites:
The Bowl:

Hike level- Medium
Be prepared to walk about 30 minutes to project site (~1.50 miles to site; ~3.0 miles round trip) on slightly uneven, mostly flat terrain, however, there is elevation gain as you approach the site.

Costal Bluffs:

Hike level- Easy
This site is easily accessible from the parking lot and does not require any hiking.

Marine Protected Area Science Exploration - Webinar for Educators
2023-11-14 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
How can we protect our ocean from overfishing? Is the Marine Protected Area offshore from Crystal Cove State Park working? Your class can help us find out! During this integrated program, students help scientists study the Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area as they learn about different science careers and explore how communities can use science ideas and science communication to protect our oceans.
Join us for a 90-minute webinar for teachers participating in the MPA Science Exploration for the 2023-2024 school year to learn about the project and how to integrate the curriculum into your classroom.
This program is strongly linked to learning outcomes for Biology, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Marine Ecology, and Oceanography, and can connect to other classes, too.
Please contact Chelsea at chelsea@crystalcove.org with any questions.
Register below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

The Trouble with Trash In-Person Teacher Training
2024-02-10 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
During the Trouble with Trash program, K-2 students are invited to take part in real environmental research at Crystal Cove State Park! As your students help Crystal Cove Conservancy, Crystal Cove State Park, and UC Irvine study the best way to protect Crystal Cove’s beaches and ecosystems, they’ll investigate the seen and unseen impacts of trash pollution in our communities and our beaches, and how people can impact environmental systems and build skills to solve real-world problems. This program is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for K-2 grade. The curriculum includes four learning modules, each with 2-3 hours of flexible activities to incorporate into your classroom.
Join us from 9 am-2 pm at Crystal Cove’s Historic District for a professional development workshop for teachers participating in the Trouble with Trash K-2 program for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn about the new research project that students will be studying this year, and how to incorporate the curriculum into your classroom.
Advance registration is required. Register for this training below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

Welcome to Project Crystal- In-Person Training in Moro Canyon
2024-02-03 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
During Project Crystal, 5th-grade students are invited to take part in ecological research in Moro Canyon! As your students help Crystal Cove Conservancy, Crystal Cove State Park, and UC Irvine study the best way to restore native habitats, they’ll learn about concepts like plant ecology, food web interactions, and how we can use science ideas to protect our wild places. This program is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for fifth grade. The curriculum includes six learning modules, each with 2-3 hours of flexible activities to incorporate into your classroom.
Join us from 9 am-2 pm in Moro Canyon for a professional development workshop for teachers participating in the Project Crystal 5th grade program for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn about the new research project that students will be studying this year, and how to incorporate the curriculum into your classroom.
Learn more about Project Crystal by checking out last year’s project here!
Advance registration is required. Register for this training below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

Welcome to Project Crystal Code Training in Moro Canyon
2024-01-27 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
During Project Crystal Code, 7th-grade students are invited to explore decomposition and technology’s role in the restoration of coastal sage scrub! During this multi-week program, students are introduced to how we can use technology to protect our wild places. Virtual Project Crystal Code builds on ideas from Project Crystal as participants design computer models and construct and code sensors to investigate decomposition and the carbon cycle.
Join us from 9am-2pm in Moro Canyon for a professional development workshop for teachers participating in the Project Crystal Code 7th grade program for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn about the new research project students will be studying this year, and how to incorporate the curriculum into your classroom.
Learn more about Project Crystal Code by checking out last year’s project here!
Advance registration is required. Register for this training below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar
2023-12-02 10:00 - 17:30 (America/Denver)
Kick-off the holiday season with Crystal Cove Conservancy during the 2023 Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar! The Crystal Cove Historic District will be decked out from the trails to the sea with holiday decor and lights, plus the iconic beach tree.
From 10:00AM-5:30PM, visitors can shop for gifts from local artisans during the Holiday Bazaar, meet Santa during a beachside photo op, munch on cookies and cocoa courtesy of The Beachcomber, make a special holiday craft, and hear holiday tunes sung throughout the Cove by the Corona del Mar High School Madrigal Singers. The event will wrap-up as we light the tree as the sun sets along the horizon.
We hope you will join us for the following activities throughout the day. Event is rain or shine!
Schedule of activities subject to change leading up to the event. Parking is available in the Los Trancos Parking Lot located off PCH.
A $15 day use parking fee will apply.
Holiday Bazaar
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Education Commons
Holiday Craft
Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Cottage #22
Santa Meet & Greet
Time: 4:00-5:00pm
Location: Cottage #46
Cookies and Cocoa by Beachcomber Cafe
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Outside Education Commons
Corona del Mar High School Madrigal Singers
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Various locations throughout the Historic District
Tree Lighting
Time: 5:15PM
Location: In front of The Beachcomber Cafe

Speaker Event: Azzedine Downes CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
2023-11-14 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove Cottage Check-in Deck, #35 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, CA, 92657, United States
Join Crystal Cove Conservancy on the Cottage Check-in Deck for a special speaker event featuring Azzedine Downes, CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The evening will begin with a reception where guests can mingle before an intriguing conversation and Q&A about Azzedine’s extensive career, as well as his book The Couscous Chronicles: Stories of Food, Love, and Donkeys from a Life Between Cultures.
The Couscous Chronicles is a compelling collection of stories that will leave you believing in the power of compassion and the ability to make a difference—and yes, even in the power of couscous. Don’t miss this opportunity to join Azzedine as he shares insights and experiences and inspires us all to take action to create a better world for both people and animals in our shared home. Copies of The Couscous Chronicles will be available for purchase at the Park Interpretive Store prior to the event.
Event is free to attend, but RSVP is REQUIRED!
Sign-up using the form below.
When: Tuesday, November 14 from 4:00-6:00 PM
Where: Cottage Check-in Deck in the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District
Parking: Please park in the Los Trancos Parking Lot across PCH. There will be a $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass.
Fill out my LGL Form!

ABOUT AZZEDINE DOWNES AND IFAW
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. They are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. They rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals, and restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, IFAW matches fresh thinking with bold action. They partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish.
As President and CEO of IFAW since 2012 and since joining the organization in 1997 as its Executive Vice President, Azzedine Downes has worked closely with experts and decision makers from around the world, leading a groundbreaking period of geographic expansion and strategic consolidation.
Influencing international policies to create positive change on the ground, Azzedine led the signing of a historic lease agreement with a Maasai community near Amboseli National Park in Kenya, securing 16,000 acres of habitat for elephants, while helping to establish a first-of-its-kind cooperative framework between IFAW and INTERPOL’s Environmental Crime Program.
Before joining IFAW, Azzedine served as the Chief of Party for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Jerusalem and Morocco and was appointed by President Clinton as Acting Regional Director for the United States Peace Corps in Eurasia and the Middle East. In 2015, Fast Company named him one of the “The Most 100 Creative People in Business,” and he has been listed among The Nonprofit Times’s “Power and Influence Top 50.”
Selected to join the Forbes non-profit business council and then named to the prestigious Council for Hope of the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation in 2023, Azzedine joins a group of prominent global thought and business leaders committed to using their influence to improve the world around us. His first book, a personal memoir entitled The Couscous Chronicles, is set for release in June.
A graduate of Providence College and Harvard University, Azzedine is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.

North Beach Open House - AT CAPACITY
2023-11-12 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove State Park Historic District
Open House Cottage! On Sunday, November 12 from 2-4PM, join Crystal Cove Conservancy for an open house event on Crystal Cove State Park’s North Beach. Stroll down the North Beach Boardwalk and tour the first of the restored North Beach cottages before they open for public rental!
Parking is available in the Los Trancos Parking Lot located off PCH. A $15 day use parking fee will apply.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Welcome to Project Crystal Code - Webinar for Educators
2023-11-09 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Denver)
During Project Crystal Code, 7th-grade students are invited to explore decomposition and technology’s role in the restoration of coastal sage scrub! During this multi-week program, students are introduced to how we can use technology to protect our wild places. Virtual Project Crystal Code builds on ideas from Project Crystal as participants design computer models and construct and code sensors to investigate decomposition and the carbon cycle.
Join us for a 90-minute webinar for teachers participating in the Project Crystal Code 7th-grade program for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn about the project and how to incorporate the curriculum into your classroom.
Learn more about Project Crystal Code by checking out last year’s project here!
Register for this webinar below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

MPA Science Exploration In-person Training
2023-10-21 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
How can we protect our ocean from overfishing? Is the Marine Protected Area offshore from Crystal Cove State Park working? Your class can help us find out! During this integrated program, students help scientists study the Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area as they learn about different science careers and explore how communities can use science ideas and science communication to protect our oceans.
Join us for an in-person training for teachers participating in the MPA Science Exploration for the 2023-2024 school year to learn about the field trip and how to integrate the curriculum into your classroom.
This program is strongly linked to learning outcomes for Biology, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Marine Ecology, and Oceanography, and can connect to other classes, too.
Please contact Erick at erick@crystalcove.org with any questions.
Register below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

Welcome to Project Crystal - Webinar for Educators
2023-10-16 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Denver)
During Project Crystal, 5th-grade students are invited to take part in ecological research in Moro Canyon! As your students help Crystal Cove Conservancy, Crystal Cove State Park, and UC Irvine study the best way to restore native habitats, they’ll learn about concepts like plant ecology, food web interactions, and how we can use science ideas to protect our wild places. This program is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for fifth grade. The curriculum includes six learning modules, each with 2-3 hours of flexible activities to incorporate into your classroom.
Join us for a 1-hour webinar for teachers participating in the Project Crystal 5th grade program for the 2023-2024 school year. Learn about the new research project that students will be studying this year, and how to incorporate the curriculum into your classroom.
Learn more about Project Crystal by checking out last year’s project here!
Register for this webinar below:
Fill out my LGL Form!

Hot Cocoa in the Park After Dark
2023-09-30 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | Berns Amphitheatre
Come down to the Berns Amphitheater at Crystal Cove State Park for Hot Cocoa in the Park After Dark. Join us for a special night program with the amazing organization Orange County Bird of Prey Center and get up close and personal with some of their live, feathered, friends as they talk and answer questions about birds of prey. Park Naturalists will be on hand with lots of animal evidence, taxidermy, owl pellets to dissect, and a short family friendly ‘Owl Prowl/night walk to listen to the mysterious sounds of the night and learn about the nocturnal animals that call Crystal Cove their home. Hot cocoa will be served from 7:00-8:00PM.
Meet at the Berns Amphitheater in the Lower Moro parking lot (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground.) $5 evening rate. For more information contact laurel.gifford@parks.ca.gov
This event is hosted by Crystal Cove State Park.

Historic District Walking Tour
2023-06-24 14:30 - 16:00 (America/Denver)
Historic District Tours are back! Join Crystal Cove Conservancy for a guided tour of the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District! During this hour and a half walking tour, you will have a chance to explore the history of the Crystal Cove Cottages, hear stories and traditions of those who used to live here, and learn about the process of the cottages’ historic restoration! No registration is required.
When: 2:30-4:00 PM
Where to Meet: Education Commons in the Historic District
What to Bring: Sunscreen, a mask or face covering (optional), and closed toed shoes.
Parking: Please park in the Los Trancos Parking Lot. There will be a $15 Day Use fee per vehicle; free with State Parks annual pass.
Tour will be cancelled in the event of rainy weather.

California Coastal Cleanup Day
2023-09-23 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Crystal Cove State Park, Pelican Point Lot
Join Crystal Cove State Park as we celebrate California Coastal Cleanup Day! We’re in need of volunteers to help clean the 3.5 miles of coastline at this annual citizen science event. To make this event as ZERO WASTE as possible, please bring your own bags and gloves, bucket, garden trowel or even cat litter strainers and reusable water bottle. And don’t forget your waiver form, sunscreen, and a hat.
Meet at Pelican Point lot #3 or Reef Point (see www.crystalcovestatepark.org for map). Parking fee waived for volunteers arriving between 8:30-11:30. To register visit https://www.coastkeeper.org/cleanup-day/ or for more information Alex.Anderson@parks.ca.gov
