From our blogs

02 Oct 2015

Don Edwards (1905 - 2015)

Former US Representative Don Edwards of San Jose, California

Former US Representative Don Edwards of San Jose, California. Photo courtesy Wikipedia via United States Congress.

Former US Representative Don Edwards of San Jose, California, a champion of San Francisco Bay Area environmental conservationists, died October 1, 2015 in Carmel, California. He was 100.

One of Mr. Edwards' proudest achievements was the creation of the nation's first urban national wildlife refuge on the southern end of San Francisco Bay. He championed the mission of the Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge (CCCR), a volunteer organization dedicated to acquiring and restoring wetlands within the refuge. Working with Santa Clara County planner Arthur Ogilvie, he lobbied Congress to establish a refuge and stop the degradation of the Bay and its wetlands. The process took seven years and in 1972 legislation was finally passed to form the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

23 Sep 2015

Lynnea Shuck awarded the 2015 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

2015 Gloria Barron Prize Award Winner Lynnea Shuck, on the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

2015 Gloria Barron Prize Award Winner Lynnea Shuck, on the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy USFWS. Copyright CC-BY-NA 3.0

Lynnea Shuck was honored with the 2015 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes for creating the Junior Refuge Ranger program at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and working to expand her program to all 560 National Wildlife Refuges in the United States.

Established in 2001 by author T.A. Barron, the Barron Prize announced its 2015 winners on September 21 in Boulder, Colorado. The prize honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. The award celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across North America. The top fifteen winners each receive $5,000 to support their service work or higher education.

Lynnea Shuck created the Junior Refuge Ranger program at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge to connect youth to nature and propel childhood curiosity into environmental stewardship. She recently began the national rollout of her program, with the vision of expanding it to all 560 National Wildlife Refuges across the country. Already, National Wildlife Refuges in California, Nevada, New Mexico, Virginia, Maryland, Idaho, and Colorado are working to implement her program.

21 Sep 2015

Minnesota Brothers Make History at 2015 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

(via U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

A trio of brothers from Minnesota made history today as they took the top three spots in the 2015 Federal Duck Stamp art contest. The announcement was made by Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Assistant Director for Migratory Birds, at the annual art contest, held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.V.

Joseph Hautman, of Plymouth, Minn., won the contest with his acrylic painting of a pair of trumpeter swans. This is Hautman’s fifth Federal Duck Stamp contest win, making him one of only two artists to have his art appear on five duck stamps.

Joseph Hautman, of Plymouth, Minn., was the first place winner of the 2015 Federal Duck Stamp art contest with his acrylic painting of a pair of trumpeter swans.

Joseph Hautman, of Plymouth, Minn., was the first place winner of the 2015 Federal Duck Stamp art contest with his acrylic painting of a pair of trumpeter swans. Photo courtesy U.S. FWS.

14 Sep 2015

NWRA 2015 Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest

National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) 2015 Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest. Photograph courtesy NWRA. Copyright NWRA.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) is pleased to announce the 2015 Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest, an exciting event dedicated to showcasing the National Wildlife Refuge System’s rich diversity of wildlife and habitat. Your photos can help us promote this magnificent 150-million-acre federal lands system, a centerpiece of conservation in America.

Contest Entry

Submit up to five digital photos taken at a national wildlife refuge through our website, www.refugeassociation.org, between September 15 and November 15, 2015.

Enter to Win!

Enter for your chance to win one of the following prizes:

12 Sep 2015

Coastal Cleanup Day • September 19, 2015

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge presents Coastal Cleanup Day at the Dumbarton Fishing Pier Parking Lot, Marshlands Rd, Fremont on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Do you want to help wildlife and the environment? Join the thousands of people around the world for International Coastal Cleanup Day. At Don Edwards SF Bay NWR you can remove invasive weeds or pick up trash along the parking lot and trails. We’ll supply plastic gloves (or bring your own) and trash and recycling bags. You supply energy, sturdy shoes, sun protection, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a reusable water bottle.

Volunteers can choose to be shuttled to areas along the Shoreline Trail to reach areas farther away. For more information, call 510-792-0222, ext. 362 for the Visitor Services Intern or Paul Mueller at ext. 361. No reservations necessary.

Children under age 18 must have parental approval. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. To expedite the registration process, log on to http://www.fws.gov/refuge/don_edwards_san_francisco_bay to download the forms and bring to the registration table. Forms are also available at the registration table.

05 Sep 2015

Volunteer Opportunities: Fall 2015

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Opportunities: Fall 2015 at the Environmental Education Center (Alviso, California).

If you have an interest in wildlife and their conservation, enjoy working with people, and are enthusiastic and dependable, the Environmental Education Center’s Volunteer Program is for you! As a volunteer, you’ll receive on-the- job training from staff and other volunteers in the project area you choose.

Prior to volunteering at the Environmental Education Center, you must attend a Volunteer Orientation. You can also attend the orientation just to see what opportunities there are, and if it is the right fit for you.

31 Aug 2015

New Visitor Center Hours!

Beginning September 1, the Visitor Center at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont will be open Wednesdays - Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Visitor Center at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont

Visitor Center at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont . Photo courtesy Ann L.. Copyright Ann L.

19 Aug 2015

National Wildlife Refuge Week (Oct 10 - 17) and October CRISP 2015

To celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week this year from October 10 through October 17, the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is gathering biologists and educators on the refuge for CRISP (Conservation • Recreation • Interpretation • Science • Protection). Take part and learn how national wildlife refuges conserve and protect wildlife and habitat through science, interpretation, and recreation at the Refuge Headquarters in Fremont.

October 10 - Fremont

Spend the day at the Don Edwards Refuge and participate in all things that make us a National Wildlife Refuge! Meet biologists, participate in survey techniques, take part in a fun, educational activity, and learn how the Federal Duck Stamp helps protects wetlands while tasting wild ducks provided by duck hunters. Be sure to stay for the live bird show presented by the Sulphur Creek Nature Center to learn about some of the amazing creatures the refuge provides habitat for. See the list of activities below.

  • Mist Net Demonstration with live songbirds
  • Mammal Trapping Demonstration
  • Lizard Surveys
  • Duck Tasting: Recreation and the Federal Duck Stamp
  • Plankton Lab
  • Live Bird Show with Sulphur Creek Nature Center
  • Learn what it takes to become a Refuge Volunteer
  • Colonial Waterbird Presentation/Bird Walk with San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
  • Twilight Marsh Walk
18 Aug 2015

Creeks and Rivers Art Display

The Environmental Education Center of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge is hosting an exhibition of 18 oil paintings of the Coyote Watershed by Donald Neff, a Bay Area resident and self-taught painter. The art display runs from August 22 through fall 2015 with viewing hours only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. A special reception will be held Saturday, September 5 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register online to come enjoy the paintings, meet the artist, learn about our watershed, and go for a hike!

Donald Neff art display at the Environmental Education Center of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, fall 2015

Donald Neff art display at the Environmental Education Center of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge, fall 2015. Photo courtesy Donald Neff. Copyright Donald Neff.

28 Jul 2015

Environmental Outreach Associate

Update on Aug 17, 2015: This position is now filled. Thank you for your interest.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Environmental Outreach Associate position is located at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center in Alviso, CA. The Environmental Education Center provides free programs to schools and the public, while teaching about the local wildlife, conservation, and how to help the environment. The Living Wetlands program is designed to teach about wetlands and the properties of wetlands including watersheds and water conservation. We need a highly motivated individual who has an interest in education and visitor services and will assist in educating, planning, and developing the Living Wetlands program.

The Environmental Outreach Associate will be a part-time employee for the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society (SFBWS), a non-profit friends group to the Refuge. The primary mission of SFBWS is 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.

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