Who We Are
The San Mateo Coast Natural History Association (SMCNHA) was created in December 1990 to further the education and interpretation initiatives of the California State Parks along the San Mateo Coast. SMCNHA (smack-n-ha) was founded by volunteers in San Mateo County as a 501(c)3 non-profit Cooperating Association to provide support directly to these coastal State Parks.
Mission Statement
San Mateo Coast Natural History Association: Inspiring public appreciation and stewardship of the natural resources and cultural heritage of the San Mateo coast, in partnership with California State Parks.
SMCNHA-Supported Programs and Projects
- Helped fund the construction of a foot bridge to open up a new trail in Pescadero Marsh—visited by more than 10,000 school children each year.
- Collaborated with the California State Parks Foundation and State Parks to secure funding for the Año Nuevo Marine Education Center (a $2.8 million project) and courtyard.
- Provided funding for the completion of the visitor center at Half Moon Bay State Beach.
- Coordinated funding for the creation of the interpretive center in the fog signal building at Pigeon Point Light Station.
- Assisted with the procurement of a disabled access van to make Año Nuevo accessible to everyone.
- Supports the annual Pigeon Point Light Station Lighting Anniversary Celebration.
- Provides funding for the State Park docent and volunteer programs at State Parks along the San Mateo coast—supporting over 300 State Park volunteers.
Board Members
Click on the name for more information.
Joyce Pennell - President
Joyce joined SMCNHA in 2008 and was elected president in 2010. She retired from the semiconductor industry in 2007, and is happy to have the time to support causes dear to her heart.
Michael Braude - Vice President and Treasurer
Michael has been a docent at Año Nuevo State Reserve since 1997. He joined the board in 2008. Michael is the Director of Finance and Administration at the San Francisco Food Bank where he has worked since 2000. He considers any day a success if he's seen any of the following: a marine mammal, a lighthouse, a redwood tree, or a waterfall.
Ann Hurley - Secretary
Ann joined the SMCNHA Board in 2010. She has a degree in biological oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a law degree from the University of San Diego. She retired in 2010 from the Environmental Enforcement Section of the U.S. Department of Justice to spend more time enjoying the environment as well as protecting it. She has been a docent at Año Nuevo State Reserve since 2006.
Alan Brauner - Member at Large
Alan joined the SMCNHA Board in 2010, and has been a docent at Año Nuevo State Reserve since 2008. In his professional career, Alan has served as a Corporate President in the printing and distribution industries. He has also been on the Advisory Committee for the Graphics Communication Department at Cal Poly, and participated for a number of years teaching classes in the Professors from Industry program for that university.
John Fox - Member at Large
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.
Nancy Frost - Member at Large
Nancy has been a docent at the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve and Pigeon Point Light Station State Historical Park since 2005 and started on the native plant restoration project at Pigeon Point in 2007. She joined SMCNHA in early 2008.
Darlene Hobie - Member at Large
Darlene joined the SMCNHA Board in 2010. She has been a docent at Año Nuevo State Reserve since 1999 and a mentor to docents in training since 2000. Previously, Darlene volunteered in the San Francisco public schools and in local public television.
Rita Jennings - Member at Large
Rita has been a State Parks volunteer with the Half Moon Bay Plover Watch program since 2002. Her volunteer efforts also include being a docent at Pescadero Marsh, working in the Half Moon Bay visitor center, and assisting with special events such as Earth Day and Coastal Cleanup Day. She joined SMCNHA in 2009.
Elena Young - Member at Large
Elena joined the SMCNHA board in 2011. She has been a Beach Watch volunteer for the Gulf of the Farallones Sanctuary since 1999, for which she does wildlife surveys of the beach at Año Nuevo-North Point. Previously, Elena volunteered with the Marine Mammal Center, the Half Moon Bay Eco-Tourism program, and with the Half Moon Bay Business Association as the business owner of Harbor Seal Company
Interested in Joining the Board?
We welcome people interested in joining the SMCNHA board of directors. Please see the links below for information on what it means to be on the board, including the responsibilities and expectations, as well as for an application form (MS-Word or pdf format).
Information on becoming a board member
