Welcome to Virtual Mind Walks! The Mind Walks program, founded by Ray Easton, has been hosted in person for several years in Morro Bay from January to March in collaboration with California State Parks. Since March of 2020, CCSPA and CA State Parks have brought a new type of learning right to your living room: Virtual Mind Walks. COVID has given us the opportunity to expand our topics, audience and speakers as we offer virtual programming opportunities all year long. These free, online presentations feature a variety of subject matter from experts covering topics aimed at stretching the mind of the avid lifelong learner.
This lecture series offers twice monthly educational opportunities devoted to recreational, natural, and cultural history topics as they relate to the Central Coast. The Mind Walks Program is underwritten by the Thomas E. and Mary Kathryn Eltzroth fund and supported by the Central Coast State Parks Association.
See below for upcoming lectures and for links to past recordings.
Upcoming Lectures
August 19, 2022
Deep Dive into the Marine Protected Areas of the San Luis Obispo Coast! with Erika Delemarre, CA State Parks’ MPA Outreach & Education Project Coordinator, and Robin Hazard, State Park Interpreter I
Join California State Parks staff to learn about California’s marine protected areas (MPAs)! Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about the statewide network of MPAs from State Parks’ MPA Outreach and Education Project Coordinator, Erika Delemarre before diving deep into SLO Coast’s MPAs with local MPA interpreter Robin Hazard. In addition to gaining an understanding about the purpose and rules of these special places, participants will hear about valuable resources available for uses as well as opportunities to support our local MPAs through volunteering and community science projects.
September 16, 2022
Geology of Montaña de Oro State Park with Cal Poly Professor Dr. Antonio Garcia
DESCRIPTION AND SIGN -UP LINK COMING SOON
October 21, 2022
Spooner Ranch House History with Dr. Amy Hart, State Parks Historian
Have you ever wondered about the history of that quaint farmhouse that serves as the visitor’s center for Montaña de Oro State Park? Do you want to learn more about the family who lived in that house and farmed in the adjacent rolling hills? Join Dr. Amy Hart, State Parks Historian, for an exploration of the history of the Spooner Ranch House during the years it was owned by the Spooner family. The Spooner family operated a ranching business along the Pecho Coast during some of the most significant periods of U.S. history, including WWI, Prohibition, the Great Depression, and the start of WWII. This presentation will share stories of the Spooner family and of the broader farming community of the Pecho Coast during the first half of the twentieth century.
November 4, 2022
GIS Mapping in State Parks with Jeff Ebner, Environmental Scientist with CA State Parks
DESCRIPTION AND SIGN-UP LINK COMING SOON
December 16, 2022
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary with Paul Michel of NOAA
DESCRIPTION AND SIGN-UP LINK COMING SOON
MORE 2022 DATES AND TOPICS COMING SOON!
