15 Years and Going Strong!

Kate holding harbor porpoise skeleton.
Photo: FMSA

Kate Carolan, Muir Beach and Drakes East

Interview by Shannon Lyday

In 1993, Kate was living in New York City working as a massage therapist for a rich and famous clientele.  Although she always liked being in nature and planned her vacations around it, her life in the city revolved around her focus on her career.

How did you first become interested in Beach Watch?

I came to Muir Beach to attend a 3-month workshop at the Green Gulch Zen Center.  I was staying with Gordon Bennett, whom I had recently met at a class in Mexico.  He had heard about the Beach Watch training and we started the class together.  My passion had always been my work, and without even thinking about it, something came into my life that I was just as excited about.

How has Beach Watch impacted your life?

It has changed my life—through Beach Watch I have formed incredible closeness with people.  When I came to California, it was supposed to be temporarily.  Then something happened: I discovered this was where I was meant to live, and I met my future husband, Gordon.  Fifteen years later, I can’t believe that I  used to live a hectic, urban life in New York City.

The people you meet through volunteer work have a common interest so you immediately have things to talk about. You share information and you learn from each other. We have shared laughs and tears together and extraordinary acts of nature.

Describe your interest in the environment.

When I first started Beach Watch I was very naïve about nature.  I remember I was hiking along Green Gulch and I saw a bobcat.  I actually thought it was a feral cat, and started calling it to come over!  There is an incredible amount of nature in Marin County.  All of the sudden Beach Watch was teaching me about the habitats and wildlife around me.

I was so invested in my massage career that once I stopped work Beach Watch became my job.  Then I started other volunteer work: elephant seal docenting, harbor seal monitoring, scheduling birding trips for small groups, roadside clean-ups.

What is your favorite spot in the Sanctuary?

Drakes Beach and Chimney Rock in Point Reyes.  There is something very special about Chimney Rock.  I am able to leave all of my frets and worries behind. Drakes is WILD.  Drakes forces you to tell time by the tides, which I love.

Any advice for fellow or future Beach Watchers?

Never plan something for after your survey!  I learned my lesson the hard way – one time I had a plane ticket to travel after my survey.  I figured that my survey was quick, Muir Beach usually only takes an hour to survey.  We walked out to the beach and found a dead gray whale washed up high on the rocks. I had never seen anything like it. It was fresh and local managers were discussing whose responsibility was it and what to do with it. I remember as we were calling people I kept looking at my watch to see if I was going to make the plane.

What do you love about Beach Watch?

Beach Watch is fun and educational.  There are certain things I know a lot about now – it occurred to me I know a dead murre just by the sternum.  I used to specialize in live bodies, now I specialize in dead bodies.

Sometimes people are too complicated, critters are much easier.   I read that people that help seals are lucky according to Celtic tradition.  That resonates with me -  I dream of harbor seals and elephant seals.

What has made you continue with the program for 15 years?

I feel like I might be a little old fashioned, but no one stays in jobs for a long time anymore. I like that I know the history of Beach Watch.  I like feeling familiar and the comfort level of knowing the protocols.

I am really proud of what I am doing. It is not just busy work; we are really helping the Sanctuary. Beach Watch is a meaningful confirmation of my life.