Friends of the Elephant Seal is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating people about elephant seals and other marine life and to teaching stewardship for the ocean off this special place, the central coast of California.
The elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas (near San Simeon) has undergone phenomenal growth. From the first seals, who graced the beach with their presence on a late November morning in 1990, we have seen the colony grow to around 16,000 with about 3800 pups born in 2006.
Since 1997, Friends of the Elephant Seal volunteer docents have been at the vista point overlooking the colony, helping visitors understand these marine mammals. The elephant seals, who seem to lead such an idyllic beach bum lifestyle, actually place more demands on their bodies than almost any animal on earth. Our goal is that with a full knowledge of the natural history of the seals, each visitor will leave with a greater appreciation of these amazing creatures and a greater respect for wildlife in general.
Pictures from Sunset at San Simeon
By Geoff West
Friends of the Elephant Seal PO Box 490 Cambria, CA 93428 Phone: (805) 924-1628 Fax: (805) 924-1629 |
Office / Visitor Center Plaza del Cavalier 250 San Simeon Ave. Suite 3B San Simeon, Ca 93452 Email: fes@elephantseal.org |
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brandt Kehoe, President
Jim Brownell, Vice President
William Goodger, Treasurer
Megg McNamee, Recording Secretary*
Marcella Boteilho, Office Manager*
Bette Bardeen, Director
Kathy Hurrle, Director
George Larson, Director
Donovan Marley, Director
Tim Postiff, Director
Sharkey Warrick, Director
Advisory Board
Mary Lee Becwar, Bill Johnson, P.J. Webb
*Non-voting member