Our Newsletter: Between the Tides

The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve printed newsletter, Between the Tides, is mailed to our membership several times each year. Articles in each issue delve into natural history related to the intertidal environment, the creatures living in it, and the people in our organization and in other organizations who are working to protect them.

The Latest Issue

Click here to read the Latest Issue of “Between the Tides” (PDF)–the quarterly printed newsletter of the Friends of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

This month we offer a heartfelt farewell to Tom and Linda Ciotti who have contributed significantly to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and the Friends organization over many years. ~ Check out the Penitella penita: the Common Piddock, or Boring Clam, the creators of the funny faces in the stones at the reserve ~ We are happy to announce that Karen Kalumuck,Volunteer Naturalist and member of the Board of Directors since 2019 has been elected FFMR President, succeeding Ron Olson. ~ 12 graduates from this year’s Training Class join our Volunteer Naturalists who lead thousands of students and visitors in exploring the tidepools every year. ~ We report for the first time on the yearly “First Flush” which monitors stormwater runoff and pollutants at 16 creeks and stormwater outfalls on the San Mateo Coast. The Flush analyses bacteria, metals, nutrients, and suspended solids in coastal waters. ~ We present the 4th in a series on Phytoplankton, a sampling program providing critical data on species distribution and abundance along the California coast. Phytoplankton forms the foundation of the ocean’s ecosystem. Also discussed are the amazing “show and tell” Plankton and Dock Critter Paloozas which are held at the Visitor Center on select Saturdays. Visitors can view minuscule creatures through our 2 new powerful microscopes and view others creatures temporarily brought from under the docks at Pillar Point Harbor.

The Archive