A look back at the last 25 years

1987: Donated funds for old Fremont pumphouse restoration, making it an environmental education classroom. Runs bookstore & purchased a copy machine for Refuge.

1988: Bought first computer at Refuge. Established bookstore at Klamath Basin NWR. Began publishing The Tideline. Established Explorer post (Boy Scouts) with emphasis on conservation & natural resources.

1989: Published Drawbridge, A Hand-Me-Down History. Began Exploring The Wilds seminars. Purchased computer and slide projector for EEC. Held first Winter Wildlife Arts & Crafts sale.

1990: Klamath Basin & Sacramento NWRs became part of SFBWS scope. Established bookstore at Sacramento NWR. Funded Summer Art Academy. Published Wetland Wildlife Viewing Guide with funding from several grant. Purchased another computer for Fremont site. Purchased electron microscope for Pumphouse classroom and Bio-Scope for EEC.

1991: Began financial support of NWR Volunteer program.

1992: Purchased a laser printer for Refuge. Part-time environmental education employees hired to keep Alviso EEC open n weekends. Positions funded with grants from the City of San Jose and Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program.

1993: Funded Latin American Internship for Hopper Mountain Condor Recovery Program through grant agreement with FWS. Malheur Wildlife Refuge, Oregon, added to SFBWS scope. Purchased a laptop computer for the Refuge.

1994: Hired Program Administrator to support growing needs of 7 programs.

1995: Grant funded up-grade EEC Pavilion & new EEC Butterfly Garden. Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention program expanded to full time position.

1996: Funded EEC Disabled Access Pathway. Published Endangered Species brochure. Purchased a video microscope for Pumphouse, a lamination machine and funded mural in the Fremont Pavilion. Salt Marsh Manual developed as a tool for teacher training for class room visits to the Refuge.

1997: Funded summer camps at Fremont and Alviso. Began fundraising for EEC new boardwalk. City of San Jose grant position expanded to full time.

1998: Work started on the EEC Boardwalk in February. An agreement with SCVURPP program permits hiring full time environmental educator to develop Watershed Watchers program for school children and adults. Videomicroscope purchased for EEC.

1999: Grant funding supported development of video to train teachers on how to conduct a Refuge Field Trip. Puppet program developed, promoting water conservation. Received first grant to fund Bair Island Restoration and Management Plan.

2000: South county watershed poster developed for educators. Portable outreach display developed for 7 Refuges in San Francisco Bay NWR Complex. Work initiated for restoration of Entry Triangle and signage at Fremont. Work continues on Bair Island Restoration and Management program. Interpretive panels developed for Boardwalk at EEC. Greenhouse for Native Plant Nursery was constructed at Fremont for propagating native plants for restoration programs. Summer camps continue. Bair Island Restoration and Management plan contract finalized and work begins.

2001: Funding for Antioch Dunes restoration work initiated. Actual model of south bay watershed area developed for EEC. Summer camps continued.

2002: Begin upgrading trails at Fremont to make them more accessible to people with mobility limitations. Funds become available to have a camp in East Palo Alto, besides regular camps.

2003: 100th anniversary Celebration of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Tidelands Trail upgraded for wheelchair access. Current membership fees initiated for first time.

2004: Out-of-area NWRs (Klamath, Malheur, Salton Sea & Ruby Lake) had established Friends Groups & began managing their bookstores.

2005: Work begun on Bay Trail extension near Moffett Field. Began upgrading Harrier Spur Trail. Funded development of EnvEd & habitat enhancements at San Pablo Bay NWR. Funded outreach work for Devils Slide & Farallon Islands.

2006: Began restoring EEC Upland habitat. Development Plan for Bair Island completed. Received funding for Fremont site trail maps.

2007: Grant supported native plant nursery at San Pablo Bay Refuge and implement the 2007 native plant project at San Pablo and Marin Island. New Refuge trail maps printed for Fremont area. Tideline design updated.

2008: Supported second South Bay Science Symposium. Provided funding for interpretive displays in new temporary Fremont Visitor Center. Grants received to begin two year study & upgrade program for high ecotone area at EEC.

2009: New EEC area trail map printed. Began upgrade of displays in EEC Auditorium using local artists.

2010: Funded two interpretive garden panels at EEC. Sponsored Toast A Duck event for National Wildlife Refuge Week. Supplied grant for Student Ambassador representing Society at scientific events in Bay Area.

2011: Board reviewed mission & future direction of Society. Provided bike racks at both Fremont & EEC. A new shade shelter, rain ponchos and Magiscopes were purchased for use by school children attending NWR EnvEd programs. Funding for Student Ambassador renewed.