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Vegetation and Wildlife
The Oceano Dunes area is home to a surprisingly wide range of plant and animal life. Those who take the time to explore will see wildflowers, the tracks of countless small mammals and insects, a variety of small birds at the water's edge, and hawks, owls, pelicans, or gulls flying overhead.

Many kinds of shorebirds can be found on the beach, while other small birds such as the Audubon warbler, or the long-billed marsh wren, as well as red-tailed hawks and American kestrels are often sighted among the sand dunes. Both the threatened snowy plover and the endangered California least tern nest within the SVRA.

During the March 1 — September 30 breeding season, small fenced enclosures are constructed around the nests to protect these birds and their offspring from the surrounding recreational use. With ongoing support from OHVers, this nesting program has been a huge success.

Most of the wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses that can be found on the dunes are fragile and easily destroyed. Plants that are native to the area include the arroyo willow, California sagebrush, sand verbena, and bush lupine. European beach grass is an introduced species, brought in around the turn of the century to stabilize the dunes. Rare plants that may be seen here include surf thistle and giant coreopsis.
 
Pismo Beach, CA
Temp: 75°F
Wind Chill: 75°F
Humidity: 48%
Speed: 12 mph
Direct.: 310°
Pressure: 29.90 in
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Benchmade, manufacturer of knives for the loyal and ever growing following of knife users just donated a 10210 Mini-Ambush knife and a HK 14412 Mini-Pika II knife to the raffle!
 


Rolling Big Power, offering a variety of custom bright-work for all applications just donated a grille for the raffle!
 


BajaRack, offering rugged solution for the adventurer has just donated two 20% off gift certificate for any BajaRack product for the raffle!
 


Icon Vehicle Dynamics, offering quality, performance and service of high performance suspension systems, shocks and lift kits has just donated a $200 gift certificate for the raffle!
 
MDR California 200

In light of the recent tragic accident at the MDR California 200 race, donations are now accepted @ FAST-aid. Please donate now! This year's raffle fund will directly benefit the MDR California 200 @ FAST-aid.