Friends of the Elephant Seal Fall 2023 docent training application window open until August 21

SAN SIMEON, Calif. – Friends of the Elephant Seal (FES) is recruiting new docents to help visitors to our shores understand the fascinating lives of the northern elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas rookery in San Simeon.

The FES is a cooperating organization with California State Parks and as docents are considered California State Park volunteers.

The application deadline for the Fall 2023 training class is Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. That application can be found here.

The six-week training program includes independent study assignments and virtual training sessions that begin in September. Three in-person outdoor mentoring sessions will be scheduled between Oct. 2 and Oct. 20.

One final training session is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21 in Morro Bay.

Docents must be able to serve three or four, three-hour shifts each month, scheduled at will in the morning or afternoon. You must be 18 r older and available to serve in San Simeon.

Questions can be directed to FES at 805-924-1628.

The Piedras Blancas is the largest mainland rookery for elephant seals who visit the beach twice annually, once to give birth and breed and the other to molt and grow a new coat. For the remainder of the year, elephant seals migrate long distances where they dive deep to avoid predators and find food.

FES provides professional-level training and extensive reference materials about elephant seals and other coastal wildlife. Additionally, docents-in-training are supported through the FES' mentoring program.