Who We Are

The San Mateo Coast Natural History Association (SMCNHA) was created over 15 years ago to further the education and interpretation initiatives of the California State Parks along the San Mateo Coast. SMCNHA (smack-N-haw) was founded by volunteers in San Mateo County as a 501(c)3 non-profit Cooperative Association to provide support directly to these specific coastal State Parks. We work closely with the local State Park staff to align our activities with their local needs.

Mission Statement

The mission of the San Mateo Coast Natural History Association is to enhance the experience of visitors to California State Parks on the San Mateo coast by:

  • Promoting educational volunteer and park staff programs
  • Maintaining and enhancing state park Visitor Centers
  • Supporting programs that preserve biological diversity and historical/cultural integrity

Board Members

Open - President
John Fox - Vice-President

John has been a member of SMCNHA since 2006. He has been a docent at Año Nuevo since 1995, a mentor to new docents at Año Nuevo since 1997, and a Filoli Nature Education docent from 2000-2003.

Judy Pfeil - Secretary

Judy was recently honored for serving over 4000 hours as a docent at Pigeon Point Light Station Historic Park. She also volunteers at Point Sur State Historic Park. She has been a member of SMCNHA since 1998.

Bob Droege - Treasurer

Bob has been a member of SMCNA since 2004. He has served as Treasurer since 2006, and has been a docent at Año Nuevo State Reserve since 2002.

Chris Shields - Member at Large

Chris started as a docent at Año Nuevo in the Fall of 1994. Since 1996 she has been a volunteer animal care provider at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California.  Chris joined SMCNHA in 2008.

Earle Jones - Member at Large

Earle has over 3,000 hours serving as a docent at Año Nuevo since 1999.  He has mentored about a dozen Ano trainees.  He worked as an engineer at Stanford Research Institute, retiring in 1994.  He enjoys hiking, fishing, computers, and marine mammals.  He joined SMCNHA in 2008.

Michael Braude - Member at Large

Michael has been a docent at Año Nuevo State Reserve since 1997. He joined the board in 2008.

Nancy Frost - Member at Large

Nancy has been a docent at the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve and Pigeon Point Light Station State Historical Park for approximately 1 1/2 years and is involved with plant restoration at Pigeon Point.  She joined SMCNHA in 2008.

Rob Johnson - Member at Large
Rob has been a docent at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park since 1998 and is in training for the Pescadero Marsh Natural Reserve.   He joined SMCNHA in 2008.