It's a new year, but the work we do continues as it has for the past three decades: conserve and restore key lands, research our ecosystems, and educate on the importance of the natural world.

ESF has spent thirty years making the Elkhorn Slough watershed a natural place for wildlife to thrive, stewarding the unique habitats that are found here, and sharing our findings with the world. This year, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary, and we hope you will help us celebrate throughout the coming year. We tell you our story all the time - conserve land, restore it, open wildlife corridors, great views, new plants, thousands of students and so on - now we want to know your Elkhorn Slough story. Tell us what brings you here, what touches you about this place, or what's the funniest thing you've seen or had happen here. We are hoping to have a little collection of your stories to share throughout our 30th year so that we can all celebrate together.

We are getting compliments left and right on this year's stunning Elkhorn Slough calendar, and we aren't surprised. The photos submitted this year were incredible, and we were able to feature breathtaking shots taken all over the watershed.

You can now purchase the 2012 calendar at a discounted price; grab it for $12.95 at the Visitor Center, in local shops, or in our online store. You can even preview it online!

THANK YOU! The REI-Marina supported the Elkhorn Slough by asking you to round up for us this holiday season, and our fundraising goal was knocked it out of the park. This year REI's round-up raised more than $1,900-that's more than twice what the Round-Up campaign raised last year. Thank you for adding up those pennies for us, and a special thanks to the REI crew for asking each of you.

Another thank you for everyone who contributed to our BIG IDEA. We raised nearly $8,000 through Monterey County Gives! The money raised through MCGives will be partially matched, so these funds will be stretched even further to improve the technology in the Visitor Center. Keep an eye out for new computer in the coming months and (yes!) an otter cam in the coming year. This goes to show that our central coast community is extremely generous - what a great place to be.

Did you know that there may be elk moving toward the Elkhorn Slough watershed? The California DFG introduced a herd of elk onto private property near Fremont Peak 30 or so years ago, and they have been hanging out in the Salinas watershed and breeding there ever since. The main cow/calf herd of more than 100 animals stays on that property for the most part, but the bulls tend to move off in small groups.

Recently these Elk were spotted very close to the Elkhorn Slough by our own Coastal Training Program's Director, Grey Hayes. Grey has also heard reports of the elk being seen from all the way from Coyote Ridge into the Gabilan mountains. It's an exciting sighting, and we hope to hear of more like it!

Whether it is gathering seeds, planting some natives, reaching out to visitors, assisting researchers in the field or helping in the office, we count on the help of our volunteer crew. In 2011, volunteers pitched in more than 4,000 hours to meet the needs of the Elkhorn Slough - that's equal to 2 full-time (8 hrs a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year) employees. No matter how the help is given, we are grateful for the extra hands, minds, and hearts that support our work. Thank you to all of our volunteers-your many hands make it possible to accomplish what we do together. And with all that help and personality, it makes working for Elkhorn Slough a great deal of fun too.

If you are interested in volunteering visit our web site for more information or contact Amanda Ankenbrandt at 831-728-2822 ext 303. We can always use more help.

Our website is full of important resources such as scientific papers, historic maps, and stunning photos. The Elkhorn Slough Best Shot photo contest is held every month and it's a great way for you to share your slough visit with us. You don't have to be a professional photographer; sometimes the best shots come from someone who just happen to be in the right spot at the right time with their camera.

The winning January photo was photographed by Russ Lipkin, who happened to cough at just the right time to startle this beautiful Virginia rail into view. Lucky shots like this are a great reason to visit the Reserve often and at different times of the year. You never know what you'll see. Browse the gallery of past winners, or submit your own best shot.

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