From our blogs

Earth Day • April 22, 2021

Earth Day | April 22, 2021

On April 22 people all over the world will celebrate Earth Day – a day to raise environmental awareness and inspire people to take action in making the planet healthy for this and future generations. Learn more about this special day and how you can join in the celebration.

The theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore the Earth.

Become an Earth Hero

Our planet is a beautiful place, but it also needs our help to keep it that way! Become your community's new Earth Hero by completing the activity handout below.

⮇ Click here to download the Earth Hero activity handout (PDF 17 MB) ⮇

To continue supporting the Earth, we suggest you only print out pages 4, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Don’t forget to scan the QR codes on pages 8, 9 and 11!

This activity handout provides ways that you can help make your community a better place to protect our Earth, its resources, and its people. As Earth Heroes, you can find multiple ways to protect our planet by completing each activity in your classroom or at home. By reducing our waste, recycling properly, and reusing items we help out our fellow National Wildlife Refuge ambassadors the Western Snowy Plover or the California Ridgway's Rail; at the same time, we are saying ‘thank you’ to the Earth.

Celebrate Global Recycling Day: Get started with spring cleaning at-home!

Global Recycling Day

Global Recycling Day is Thursday, March 18, 2021. Get ready for it by doing some Spring Cleaning! Check out our conscious and environmentally-friendly guide!

As springtime approaches, many of us get that inherent itch to purge, dust, de-clutter, and all-around spruce up our homes after the cold and cloudy winter season. This year, it's a great time to refocus and complete those chores in a conscious and eco-friendly way that will help to not only divert usable and recyclable items from landfills but protect our watersheds from harmful chemicals and pollutants.

⮇ Click here to download our conscious spring cleaning how-to guide! (PDF 3 MB) ⮇

Each topic is on it's own page, and is a convenient size for printing and storing in a drawer or in your cleaning supplies cabinet. You could also hole-punch the top left corner and use an index card ring to secure the cards together.

Have any questions, tips of your own to share, or want to let us know which tip or trick you appreciated most?! Email us at watershedwatchers@sfbayws.org.

Marsh-In Summer Day Camp Associate 2021

Now Hiring! Summer Camp 2021 Associate needed to assist the Marsh-In Summer Camp Program!

Interested in pursuing a career in environmental education, interpretation, or visitor services? Join our team for the annual Marsh-In Summer Camp program for Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge! The Summer Camp Associate is responsible for developing and coordinating the camp program, which is expected to be online again for 2021 with possible on-Refuge opportunities.

Please see below for more details and how to apply. Application deadline is Wednesday, April 7, 2021!

General Description

Associate position needed to assist San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society at the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center (EEC). This position will be from May – August, and responsible for the planning and organizing of the 2021 Marsh-In Summer Camp Program. The Associate will be working under the Watershed Watchers Program Coordinator, while also being advised by other education staff members.

Marsh-In Summer Camp is a free camp for students entering grades 1-6 with activities focused on local wildlife species and habitats at the Refuge. In 2020, camp was offered in an online format for the first time. It was a huge success and this year plans are being made for another online camp with opportunities for on-Refuge activities. Summer camp wouldn’t be possible without our team of young volunteers. Habitat Heroes assist with camp by leading camper groups in activities and discussions. Marsh-In Summer Camp participants are chosen via a lottery, and we accept approximately 50-65 students depending on the format.

Associate will also have other opportunities to assist and lead Environmental Education programs, such as public and community group programs.

Celebrate World Wildlife Day: Attract & Report Bird Species at-home!

DIY Bird Feeder

World Wildlife Day is Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Get ready for it by creating a DIY bird feeder for your backyard, porch, or balcony!

Attracting birds to your outdoor space can be beneficial for the birds and for you. Observing birds through sight and sound has wonderful calming benefits to our health. Improving our mental and physical well-being is always important, but even more so right now as we approach a year of staying at home.

So gather your household family members to make these fun bird feeders.

DIY toilet paper roll bird feeder

Take it to the next step by learning more about the birds that are coming to your feeder and report what you see. Scientists use this data to track migration patterns, leading to management and policy changes as needed.

⮇ Click here to download the handout (PDF 1.2 MB) ⮇

Antioch Dunes wildlife refuge being restored

Wildlife resource specialist Louis Terrazas inspects sand placed on the Antioch Dunes national wildlife refuge site through a partnership with the Port of Stockton. The background area to the right is refuge land that has yet to be restored with sand. Credit: Brandon Honig/USFWS

Wildlife resource specialist Louis Terrazas inspects sand placed on the Antioch Dunes national wildlife refuge site through a partnership with the Port of Stockton. The background area to the right is refuge land that has yet to be restored with sand. Credit: Brandon Honig/USFWS.

Roni Gehlke, a columnist with the East BayTimes, writes in today's edition:

the Antioch Dunes are going through a long-range restoration project to support the three endangered species that live on the property.

Read on to find out more about how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife has worked with the Port of Stockton and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers since 2013 to bring dredged sand material to the dunes to help restore the land to its natural beginnings.

Submit your artwork for the Earth Day 2021 Teen Environmental Art Show

Calling all Teen Artists currently attending school in grades 6 through 12!

Take advantage of a great opportunity to have your artwork on display at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge environmental education center in Alviso from April through June 2021. See our flyer!

All submissions are due by March 17th at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso. Artwork should be no larger than 24" by 32", be prepared with a securely attached hanger, the registration form, and label including the artist's name, grade, and the title of the piece.

Artwork should incorporate the Earth Day 2021 theme, "Restore Our Earth."

The Winter 2020 Issue of Tide Rising, our quarterly newsletter, is here

by Ceal Craig

Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 2, Winter 2020

Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 2, Winter 2020.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is happy to publish the latest issue of its digital newsletter, Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 2, Winter 2020. This issue’s theme is Reflection & Restoration.

In this issue:

  • Reflections from a new Wildlife Refuge Specialist supporting the Farallones, our island Refuge, west of the Golden Gate.
  • Read about restoration efforts at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
  • SFBWS Staff members provide update on restoration efforts at Antioch Dunes and new ways to experience vernal pools and birds.
  • Friends groups columns focus on their support of restoration efforts on Refuges as well as reflections of how Friends groups help Refuges they support. Our Acting Complex Manager provides his reflections on 2020: a must read.

Readers' feedback:
Based on readers feedback, you will see a new format for the email version of the newsletter. A short synopsis will be in this email with a photo or two, with an Acrobat .pdf file LINK with the FULL story. This should help you read the whole newsletter in brief, and dive into stories that interest you more easily.

Editors: Ceal Craig, PhD; Renee Fitzsimons
Contributors: Aidona Kakouros, Brett Stormoen, Ceal Craig, Hope Presley, Mary Deschene, Renee Fitzsimons (SFBWS). Alyssa Clevenstine (USFWS), Amberish (volunteer photographer), Francesca Demgen (Friends of San Pablo Bay), Matt Brown (USFWS).

Thanks for reading!

Support us with your charitable donation this 2020 holiday season

Happy Holidays!

We hope you will consider the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex with a donation to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society through PayPal (or you can send a check).

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Friends group, authorized by Congress to support the education, interpretation, and research activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Help us in our mission to promote public awareness and appreciation of the San Francisco Bay and its natural history, and to conserve and preserve the remaining bay lands as essential wildlife habitat.

During this holiday season, there are people across the globe celebrating in a variety of ways and on many different days, but what we all have in common are the values these holidays represent: gratitude, compassion, and giving. Although the holiday season might look a little different this year, we can still celebrate these core values that make ourselves, our families, and our communities better.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is grateful that we have still been able to connect students and families to wildlife (even though we are all at home!), and we feel compassion for those that cannot stay home and are supporting our communities and our health on a daily basis.

This holiday season, you can give back to your local community by giving to organizations that you believe help make your community better. We hope that you consider giving to us, as your gifts will be used to connect with students and families right here in the Bay Area. If you can in these difficult times, help us help the Refuges continue our environmental education and interpretive programs, the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society will be able to keep working along with many Refuge volunteers to keep our public lands available for you and wildlife.

Online Nature Store

You can show your support by purchasing items from our online Nature Store. Please email Mary Deschene, our Program Administrator, at mary.deschene@sfbayws.org to arrange a phone call and place an order over the phone. Please allow three (3) weeks for delivery. Access to our inventory is somewhat limited as it is on Refuge property.

Click here to support us with your purchase from our online Nature Store this holiday season.

Donate

A general donation is appreciated, or you can select these key projects: Summer Camp 2021, FWS & SFBWS Volunteer Recognition efforts, Tai Chi at Don Edwards, Habitat Restoration & Research at Ellicott Slough Refuge and Salinas River Refuge.

Your support of our education, interpretation, and research activities is more important than ever. Any amount you’re willing to donate this holiday season will be greatly appreciated! Donations may be fully tax-deductible (EIN: 94-3039253).

Click here to support us with your charitable donation this holiday season.

Celebrate Winter: Identify constellations in the night sky with a Star Chart activity

Star Chart

This weekend is a great time of the month to look up at the sky to see stars and planets! The moon will be entering the "New Moon" phase on Sunday, which means there won't be light from the sun reflecting off the moon, obscuring our view of the stars. A great time to identify constellations in the night sky!

Did you know we have a world-renowned observatory right here in the Bay Area? Since 1888, Lick Observatory has provided astronomers with equipment that allows them to study the stars, planets, and universe that surrounds us. It is owned and operated by University of California. To more about Lick Observatory, their research, and more educational opportunities, visit: http://www.ucolick.org/main/index.html

On #GivingTuesday 2020 help us conserve and preserve the essential wildlife habitat of the San Francisco Bay

#GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, falling on December 1, 2020 this year, has become a day to support not-for-profit organizations.

We hope you will consider the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex with a donation to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society through PayPal (or you can send a check).

About Us

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) Friends group, authorized by Congress to support the education, interpretation, and research activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Help us in our mission to promote public awareness and appreciation of the San Francisco Bay and its natural history, and to conserve and preserve the remaining bay lands as essential wildlife habitat.

Giving thanks

During this holiday season, there are people across the globe celebrating in a variety of ways and on many different days, but what we all have in common are the values these holidays represent: gratitude, compassion, and giving. Although the holiday season might look a little different this year, we can still celebrate these core values that make ourselves, our families, and our communities better.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is grateful that we have still been able to connect students and families to wildlife (even though we are all at home!), and we feel compassion for those that cannot stay home and are supporting our communities and our health on a daily basis.

#GivingTuesday

Next Tuesday is #GivingTuesday, a day to give back to your local community by giving to organizations that you believe help make your community better. We hope that you consider giving to us, as your gifts will be used to connect with students and families right here in the Bay Area. If you can in these difficult times, help us help the Refuges continue our environmental education and interpretive programs, the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society will be able to keep working along with many Refuge volunteers to keep our public lands available for you and wildlife.

Online Nature Store

You can show your support by purchasing items from our online Nature Store. Please email Mary Deschene, our Program Administrator, at mary.deschene@sfbayws.org to arrange a phone call and place an order over the phone. Please allow three (3) weeks for delivery. Access to our inventory is somewhat limited as it is on Refuge property.

Click here to support us with your purchase from our online Nature Store this #GivingTuesday.

Donate

Your support of our education, interpretation, and research activities is more important than ever. Any amount you’re willing to donate this #GivingTuesday will be greatly appreciated! Donations may be fully tax-deductible (EIN: 94-3039253).

Click here to support us with your charitable donation this #GivingTuesday.

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