From our blogs

By Pam Bierce, USFWS

“It was April Fool’s Day, so naturally my reaction was disbelief at first,” says 16-year-old Stacy Shen, describing her initial reaction to winning Best of Show in the California Junior Duck Stamp Art and Conservation Contest.

Shen’s color pencil drawing of a pair of Ross’s geese was one of over 5,000 entries in the 2016 contest held earlier this spring at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.

“It’s great knowing that I get to pursue my passion while raising awareness and funds for waterfowl and habitat conservation,” says Stacy Shen, 2016 national Junior Duck Stamp winning artist.

However, winning in California was only the beginning for the Fremont, California, native. Shen’s artwork also was selected by a panel of judges to appear on the 2016-17 Federal Junior Duck Stamp, placing first among over 27,000 national entries.

By Steve Martarano, USFWS

The instructions were clear. “If you see a bud,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Susan Euing said to her group of about 15 survey volunteers. “Count it as a bloomer!”

Those instructions began the recent annual two-day survey for the endangered Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides var. howellii) at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Antioch, the only place in the world naturally-occurring populations of the plant species is found.

Euing and wildlife refuge specialist, Louis Terrazas, headed up the counts at both units of the refuge, and also for an earlier two-day survey for Contra Costa wallflower (Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum).

We need a volunteer to lead tours or community service projects on the refuge.

We often receive requests from companies wanting to offer their employees a team-building experience by learning more about the refuge or by participating in a group project (especially around Earth Day).

As a San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society (Society) docent, you would give introductory talks and lead the groups on a guided walk or service project. Contact: mary.deschene@sfbws.com or 510-792-0222 ext.364.

A poster for the Yes on AA campaign by Save the Bay. Photo courtesy Britta Heise via Twitter.

Measure AA, a tax measure on the ballot for the nine counties surrounding the San Francisco Bay, was approved with a 69% Yes vote on June 7, 2016 election day. The measure will raise $25 million in annual revenue over 20 years through an annual parcel tax of $12 assessed on property owners falling within the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority. The $500 million total revenue is earmarked "to protect San Francisco Bay for future generations by reducing trash, pollution and harmful toxins, improving water quality, restoring habitat for fish, birds and wildlife, protecting communities from floods, and increasing shoreline public access." The measure includes independent citizen oversight and annual audits to ensure transparency. It also mandates that all funds stay local.