The Olompali People

Pallid bats like this little guy thrive at Olompali

Come Watch the Fur Fly
Olompali hosts its annual Bat Night August 7, 2010

Come join us at Olompali State Historic Park on Saturday, August 7 for our annual Bat Night--a chance to learn about the only flying mammals, and watch as they wing their way out of the historic barn at dusk to go hunting.

This event is free, and so is parking. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Visitors Center. Bring a flashlight and a blanket or chair so you enjoy the bats in comfort.  

Program Schedule:

6:30: Snacks, bat show, bat s'mores making, bat mask decorating, bat house construction demo and bat information to peruse (both inside & near the visitor center)

7:30: Walk to barn area for the presentation with CA Bat Conservation Fund (Approximately 10 minutes up the dirt road) Set up chairs/blankets

8:00: CA Bat Conservation Fund program begins at the big barn (program is outside)See bats emerge during the program as the sun sets

9:30: Program adjourns

Questions?  Contact Park Ranger Cecilia Rejas at (415) 456-0766 x2

Visitors are welcome to arrive or depart at any time during the program schedule.  Program schedule and bat observation times are approximate.

Thanks to The Olompali People, supporters of Olompali State Historic Park, for providing the snacks and s'mores.  Thanks to Maggie Hooper of the CA Bat Conservation Fund for taking the time to present at Olompali!

One of Olompali State Historic Park's highlights is its Native Plant Garden, which is being developed at the site of the Recreated Coast Miwok Village.

Funded by grants from The Olompali People, Marin Master Gardeners and a County of Marin Community Service Grant, permanent interpretive plant signage created by Biologist Clint Kellner is complete and will be installed this summer.

The garden's layout, including the trail and irrigation, was designed by Landscape Architect Rick Story and was installed by retired Park Ranger Fred Lew, State Parks Maintenance and TOP volunteers.  

Clint Kellner, TOP Vice Chairperson and the major mover in the garden's progress, coordinates the Volunteer Workdays, which take place the second Sunday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. for garden and village maintenance and repair.

In 2008 the Native Plant Garden became a Marin Master Gardener project coordinated by Master Gardener Mary Bernstein.  In 2009 a project was initiated with Petaluma's Casa Grande High School's Native Plant Nursery and teacher John Shribbs to propagate plants for the Native Plant Garden.

The Olompali People is the nonprofit support organization for Olompali State Historic Park. Located just north of Novato, California, off Highway 101, Olompali boasts 8,000 years of continuous human habitation. Its multicultural history, combined with its natural splendor, make it unique among California State Parks. Please take some time to peruse the site and learn what makes Olompali so special. Then come out and visit in person. We'd also like to have you as a member of The Olompali People, which has been actively supporting the park for more than a quarter of a century.

Great news! Olompali is once again open to the public every day of the week. The park had been open only three days a week from November 2009 through June 2010 due to cutbacks at California State Parks. The lifting of the restriction couldn't have come at a better time, since a nice summer day offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy one of Marin County's most idyllic places. So come out and see us any time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Copyright The Olompali People 2009