Our speaker for the October meeting will be our own docent, Jerry Loomis, who will delve into the history and biology of the abalone and, of course, its importance to Point Lobos. 

Abalone is California's largest and most famous snail, and evidence from Native American middens indicate its value as a significant food source, and currency, for over 13 thousand years.

The commercial abalone diving operation at Point Lobos was the first of its kind in the nation and existed until 1933 when the Reserve was established. Once numerous, and taken for granted, abalone are now rare south of San Francisco and are protected along the west coast of the United States. 

Jerry’s love for the ocean began while growing up in San Diego, which led him to scuba diving adventures beginning in the sixties.  After graduating from San Diego State with a degree in physical biology, and a minor in geology, he became a ranger at Lake Oroville.  He landed his dream job, as a State Park Diver, which brought him to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where he has taken many underwater photographs during the past twenty eight years.  Jerry is proud of his work with docents while a ranger and, soon after retiring, became a Point Lobos Docent with class 37.  Jerry leads trips to watch gray whales calve each spring in Baja, and has been giving talks on the abalone for 20 years at Carmel River School.  

Join us at the October Docent meeting where we will cling to every word.  Abalone, not just another pretty face.