The longest government shutdown in history has finally come to an end. As an independent nonprofit, Society staff fortunate were enough to at least be able to work through the shutdown, while most USFWS Refuge staff were furloughed. We’re looking forward to getting back on the Refuge to support our colleagues!
Still, during the shutdown, we at the Society felt some of its impacts:
- Closed the Visitor Center & Nature Store at the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge for over a month
- Cancelled 14 programs, including public educational events, a volunteer event, and a group field trip
De Anza College students learn about the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge on a field trip in Mountain View. (Photo: Leila Inocentes/SFBayWS)
We also made adjustments to continue to serve the public and share the value of our Wildlife Refuges:
- Changed the location of 6 college/high school field trips to off-Refuge locations
- Shifted two planned programs to Zoom. You can watch the recordings of the virtual versions of Are There Gray Foxes in Your Backyard with Bill Leikam and History of Drawbridge with Ceal Craig
- Launched an online Bonfire store to continue raising funds in support of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex
We were also periodically checking on portions of the Refuge during the shutdown. The Mallard Slough trail at the Environmental Education Center is now open, and we’re looking forward to hosting more programs to explore the newly reopened trail. In addition, we have several upcoming programs this weekend at the Visitor Center led by USFWS volunteers, and the Nature Store will be reopened!
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated!
