From our blogs

14 Mar 2020

Come celebrate the anniversary of the nation's first National Wildlife Refuge

On March 14, 1903, President Teddy Roosevelt created the first national wildlife refuge at Pelican Island, Florida, to protect brown pelicans and other birds from extinction through plume hunting.

While our visitor centers are closed at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, visit and take a walk, bring a lunch and watch the Refuge creatures forage and eat while you eat yours.

The Refuge and its trails remain open from sunrise to sunset. Please avoid overcrowding the trails and maintain the social distancing guidelines while walking the trails.

12 Mar 2020

Closures and event cancelations at Don Edwards SF Bay NWR

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided late afternoon Wednesday, March 11, 2020 to cancel all public programs and volunteer events at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge until further notice.

The hunt meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2020 has been postponed until further notice.

For those who have a scheduled group program, please contact the staff person who made the reservation.

The Visitor Center in Fremont, and the Environmental Education Center in Alviso are also closed to the general public until further notice.

The Refuge and its trails remain open from sunrise to sunset.

For any other questions or concerns please contact Genie Moore by email at genie_moore@fws.gov.

03 Mar 2020

Marsh-In Summer Day Camp Associate 2020

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

Are you a recent college graduate looking for a summer opportunity in Education, Environmental Science, and Community Outreach? We are hiring for our annual Summer Camp Associate position to plan and coordinate the 2020 Marsh-In Summer Camp Program at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Please see below for more details and how to apply. Application deadline is March 31st!

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 2020 Marsh-In Summer Camp Program. The Associate will be working under the Watershed Watchers Program Coordinator, while also being advised by other EEC Staff members.

Marsh-In Summer Camp is a free camp for students entering grades 1-6. Each day of camp has a theme: Bird Day, Fish Day, Mammal Day, and Nocturnal Night. There is one overnight for older campers entering grades 4-6 where we sleep outside! Habitat Heroes is a training week for students entering grades 7-12. Habitat Heroes assist with camp by leading camper groups and various activities throughout the day. Marsh-In Summer Camp participants are chosen via a lottery, and we accept approximately 65 students.

Associate will also have other opportunities to assist and lead Environmental Education programs, such as library, after school, restoration, and weekend programs. There might also be opportunities to assist Refuge Biologists with threatened and endangered species surveys.

07 Feb 2020

Submit your artwork for the Earth Day 2020 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 May 2020.

All submissions are due by March 21st 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 2020 theme, "Climate Change."

31 Jan 2020

SFBWS Nature Stores stocked with new items

If you are passionate about environmental awareness and nature conservation, you can now share your values with those you love.

The Nature Stores at the Fremont Visitor Center and the Alviso Environmental Education Center are stocked with items to inspire and inform about the National Wildlife Refuges with a local focus.

Find pocket guides, books (including a book on Drawbridge), toys, T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more--relevant and fun items--that you can proudly gift to your family and friends on any occasion, to share your love of the Refuge.

New items this quarter: informative fields guides, soft cotton hoodies (Water is Life and Foxie), and t-shirts: Salamanders in short and long sleeve, and Dive into Nature.

  • Fremont Visitor Center: 11 am to 4:30 pm - Wed through Friday
  • Environmental Education Center: Saturday - 10 am to 4:30 pm
24 Jan 2020

Biological Field Technician

Location

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Fremont, CA

General Description

One part-time (30 hours/week) biological field technician is needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge for a temporary position, expected to be from mid-February through September, 2020. Primary duty station is Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, but technician may also provide support to other refuges within the Complex- website: http://www.fws.gov/sfbayrefuges/

Responsibilities

This biological field technician position will provide diverse biological field experience and professional development opportunities, including: avian predator surveys, non-native vegetation removal including herbicide application, water quality monitoring in ponds managed for waterfowl and shorebirds, bird nest success monitoring, endangered plant and animal surveys, data entry, and report preparation. Technician will conduct some duties independently, but may work as part of a team to complete other duties. Duties may include early morning/late evening surveys, occasional weekend work, working with staff and volunteers, and supply and equipment inventories or preparation.
20 Jan 2020

Volume 1 Issue 2 of Tide Rising, our new quarterly newsletter, is ready

by Ceal Craig

Tide Rising: Volume 1, Issue 2, Winter 2019

Tide Rising: Volume 1, Issue 2, Winter 2019.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is happy to publish the second issue of its new, digital-only newsletter, Tide Rising: Volume 1, Issue 2, Winter 2019. This issue’s theme is Restoration, Reflection, and Discovery.

As the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society publishes its second digital online newsletter, we reflect on the work the Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and partners have done to restore habitats and locations that were changed by humans in past years.

In this issue:

  • Learn about the Antioch Dunes NWR from Louis Terrazas, USFWS Wildlife Resource Specialist.
  • Susan Euing, USFWS Wildlife Biologist, will share the Complex’s efforts to restore an endangered species, the Least Tern, at the Veteran’s Affairs Alameda Point (VAAP) colony.
  • Francesca Demgen describes how volunteers and USFWS staff are working to restore and grow the North Bay Refuges.
  • How USFWS staff help us all the time!
  • How volunteers make a difference.

Thanks for reading!

15 Jan 2020

San Pablo Bay NWR propogates native plants on the refuge whlle fending off infectious agents

by Meg Marriott, Wildlife Biologist, San Pablo Bay NWR and Marin Islands NWR; Josh Nuzzo, Nursery Manager, Point Blue; and Jax Vernacchia, SCA intern

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Formed in 1974, San Pablo Bay Refuge provides 21,000 acres of tidal and seasonal wetlands habitat. These acres located in the North Bay included historically a military base and lands for agricultural and hunting.

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Credit USFWS.

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Credit USFWS.

01 Jan 2020

Salinas River NWR forms partnerships with neighboring communities

by Tracy Flor Figueroa, Student Conservation Association (SCA) intern, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge

Formed in 1973, within 367 acres, this Refuge has six habitat types: Beach, dunes, salt marsh, saline ponds, Salinas River/lagoon, and grasslands. Located south of Moss Landing, it protects several threatened and endangered species, including Western snowy plover, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Monterey spineflower.

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. Credit USFWS.

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. Credit USFWS.

15 Dec 2019

Support us with your charitable donation this 2019 holiday season

Happy Holidays!

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.

A general donation is appreciated, or you can select these key projects: Summer Camp 2020, FWS & SFBWS Volunteer Recognition efforts, Tai Chi at Don Edwards, Habitat Restoration & Research at Ellicott Slough and Salinas River Refuges.

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.

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

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