Bay Area Naturalist Events Calendar
A compendium of bird walks, fungus forays, work parties, wildflower hikes, beach cleanups, exhibit openings, garden tours, wildlife festivals, star parties, ecology classes, science symposia, employment opportunities, and natural history lectures. Compiled by Patrick Schlemmer. If you have an event to list on the calendar, please submit it to jkodiak@earthlink.net. It is always good to confirm locations and times before heading out, as these sometimes change. This calendar is updated every day, so check back often!
weather tide earthquake surf report
Fri., Jan. 7 The Oakland Museum of California has opened up their natural science section after a few years of intense work updating and upgrading.
Fri., June 7 SF Bay American Cetacean Society presents Travesia: Journey of the Gray Whale. This special traveling exhibit makes its only U.S. stop at the San Francisco Zoo, open to the public in the Pachyderm Building. A bi-lingual, multi-media show, Travesia explores the amazing migratory world of gray whales, from the Arctic seas to the Mexican lagoons of Baja. Interpretive works from eight contemporary Mexican artists encourage reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. Models of a gray whale's head and tail encourage discussion of the life cycle of the gray whale. Illustrative panels explore the significance of gray whales in the bio-diverse Northeastern Pacific region. To learn more about this project, visit www.proyectoballenagris.com.
Mon., June 10 If you have 7 minutes, watch this video about the life of a cicada. Very beautiful photography: www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/05/watch-a-cicada-metamorphose/276253/.
Mon., June 10 Silkworm cloud: http://gizmodo.com/6-500-silk-worms-spin-one-heck-of-a-cloud-510908939?utm_campaign=socialflow_gizmodo_facebook&utm_source=gizmodo_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow.
Tues., June 11 More than 100 organizations have signed a letter to Congress in defense of peer review. The statement was prompted by recent congressional actions that called into question the merit review process used by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award research grants. "It is imperative that NSF's system of support for basic research be based upon excellence, competitive scientific merit, and peer-review," states the letter. "While Congress does play an important role in oversight of federally funded research, it should avoid legislative attempts that could undermine a decades-long system of success and ultimately impede discovery and innovation." Click here to read the letter.
Wed., June 12 Humanizing Animals With the Most Human Eyes.
Thurs., June 13 Climate change threatens 82% of native California fish: www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/01/climate-change-california-fish/2375685/.
Fri., June 14 The Beauty of Space Photography.
Mon., June 17 Concerned about the plight of pollinators, Whole Foods Market and its vendor companies have relaunched the Share the Buzz bee conservation initiative. And for the second year running, they are teaming up with the Xerces Society to promote awareness of and engagement in pollinator conservation. As part of the Share the Buzz campaign and in celebration of National Pollinator Week (June 17-23), Whole Foods Market invites you to support our work. Between June 12 and 25, Whole Foods Market stores nationwide will donate $0.10 to the Xerces Society for each pound of summer squash sold. Yup, on every summer squash: zucchini, yellow, crookneck, and all the others. The money raised will go directly to support our work with farmers across the country, helping them to restore wildflower-rich native habitat and protect local biodiversity. To help you find ways to eat squash, we'll be posting a recipe every day until June 25 on our Facebook page.
Mon., June 17 Gary Greenberg: The beautiful nano details of our world.
Mon., June 17 From Friends of the Urban Forest: Littleleaf Lindens (Tilia cordata) are beginning to bloom with fragrant creamy white-to-yellow flowers in small clusters. The flowers attract bees, which make excellent honey from them. They're also sometimes used for tea. This deciduous tree has dark green, heart-shaped leaves, grows in a pyramid-like shape, and can reach a height of 55 feet. It can tolerate any soil, and does well in urban environments. See some at 1955 9th Ave. in Golden Gate Heights or at 425 Alabama St. in the Mission neighborhood (find others on the Urban Forest Map).
Wed., June 19 Falcons in a Changing World, with Glenn Stewart. San Francisco Public Library, 6 pm. For more information, go to http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=1011942501.
Wed., June 19 Shoreline Habitat Restoration. Volunteers are needed to help remove new invasive sea lavender plants that threaten the health and wildlife of San Francisco Bay wetlands. Invasive sea lavenders were detected and removed from the Strawberry and Corte Madera shorelines last year, although follow-up is needed this spring to remove new seedlings. Please join Marin Audubon, the Bay Area Early Detection Network, and other concerned groups and volunteers to remove these plants. By acting now, while the populations are still small and contained to just a few sites, we can nip this problem in the bud. Please note these are sensitive wetland sites requiring special permission to access. Because of this, and also because of the possibility of confusing the native with the invasive sea lavenders, we request that you do not enter these sites or remove invasive plants unless under the direction of a trained biologist permitted to be on-site. Corte Madera Ecological Reserve at the end of Industrial Way (map; http://g.co/maps/7ry83 ), 11 am-3 pm. Gloves and tools provided. RSVP to Mike Perlmutter at mulchpermaculture@yahoo.com.
Wed., June 19 Building the World's Largest Telescopes: The Future of Ground-Based Astronomy. Join Dr. Tom Zobrist, currently at the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, for an intriguing talk on Building the World's Largest Telescopes: the Future of Ground-Based Astronomy. Tom Zobrist will recap his experience working at the Stewart Observatory Mirror Laboratory (SOML) helping to build the world's largest astronomical telescopes. The Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), currently the world's largest telescope, will be highlighted to show the comparison between ground-based and space-based astronomy. SOML is currently fabricating the mirrors for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), which will each revolutionize ground-based astronomy when they are completed. Dr. Zobrist will discuss how LSST will allow every amateur astronomer to have access to a research-grade telescope, and about the race between GMT and its competitors for the title of World's Largest Telescope. Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, SF. 7:30 pm. For more information, go to www.randallmuseum.org. Free.
Thurs., June 20 Golden Gate Audubon Society June meeting. When you look out your window, why are you so much more likely to see a robin or a sparrow than a Kirtland's Warbler or a California Condor? Why are some animals naturally rare and others so abundant? Eric Dinerstein will lead us on an eye-opening tour of the rare and exotic, the subject of his new book "The Kingdom of Rarities."
It offers a new understanding of the natural world, one that places rarity at the center of conservation biology. From the Himalayan slopes of Bhutan to the most isolated mountain ranges of New Guinea, Eric will take us to some of the least-traveled places on the planet to catch a glimpse of jaguars, Andean Cock-of-the-rocks and other rare animals. Eric Dinerstein is the lead scientist and vice president for conservation science at the World Wildlife Fund. His specialty areas include tropical mammals, large mammal biology, biogeography, bats, rhinos, seed dispersal, and community ecology. First Unitarian Universalist Church & Center, 1187 Franklin Street (at Geary), San Francisco. 7:30 pm. Free for GGAS members, $5 for non-members. For more information, call (510) 843-2222.
Thurs., June 20 The Pt. Molate Community Advisory Committee is presenting an exhibit of paintings, photographs and sculpture themed on Pt. Molate from 6-8 pm at the Bridge Art Space, 23 Maine Ave., Richmond. 13 Bay Area artists will be featured - most from Richmond, and David Helvarg, Exec. Dir. of the Blue Frontier campaign will be signing his recently published book: The Golden Shore whose final chapter depicts the efforts to save Pt. Molate. The evening will feature light music, refreshments and hors d'oeuvres, with prizes awarded to Best Photograph, Best Art Piece, and Most Iconic depiction of Pt Molate.
Thurs., June 20 Stories in the Sand. Join author Lorri Ungaretti for a presentation on the speedy development of San Francisco's Sunset District from “inaccessible” sand dunes to city suburb. Her talk is based on her books, Stories in the Sand: San Francisco's Sunset District, 1847-1964 and Then & Now: San Francisco's Sunset District. Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, SF, 7:30 pm. Free.
Fri., June 21 The Journal of Integrated Pest Management covers more than just insects -- topics also include IPM applied to weeds, slugs, and even wild turkeys. A literature review which was recently published in the June 2013 issue of JIPM shows that although wild turkeys can cause damage to agricultural crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, the majority of actual damage is usually minor or caused by other wildlife. Thus, estimates of damage by wild turkeys are often inflated. Read the press release.
Fri., June 21 Moonlight Hike. Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland, 6:30 pm.
Sat., June 22 Botanical Latin. You're invited to join us for a brief introduction to botanical Latin. Learn the names for plants and the way the names are constructed. We'll look at some common Latin and Greek roots for plant names and botanical terms, and use some simple rules of thumb to pronounce plant names with confidence. Al Luongo originally developed this course for the New York Botanical Garden and now he's bringing it to Berkeley. The workshop will include a copy of the full course notes including a list of useful books and Web sites. UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley, 9 am.
Sat., June 22 Honey Tasting & Pollinator's Tour. In celebration of Pollinator's Week, join us in the Arboretum's Native Garden stone circle for an array of honey flavors and textures harvested locally by Robert Mackimmie of City Bees, a guided pollinator's garden tour and a discussion of Urban Beekeeping. $15. Get Tickets …
Sat., June 22 Fire Recovery: Ring Mountain, One Year After. Meet at the gate at the end of Taylor Road in Tiburon. 5-8 pm. Join Marin County Parks for the 3rd installment of the Post Burn Recovery Walks which we have been hosting since a wildfire burned 14 acres of critical habitat on the Ring Mountain Preserve. Since that time, the burn area has been closed off to the public in an effort to minimize further impact, study the effects on the wildfire, and rehabilitate this fragile habitat.
Sat., June 22 Community Clean Team Volunteer Day. Galileo Academy of Science & Technology, 9 am-noon.
Sat., June 22 They Seek Him Here, They Seek Him There. This summer, a walk in the Hayward Hills promises to be special indeed. Last year we were mesmerized by a family of Hooded Orioles as they showed off their striking golden plumage and performed antics in the trees. Cool songbirds like that should abound along the hilly trail we will explore. Meet at the Garin Parking lot. Directions can be found at www.ebparks.org/parks/garin. Ages 12+. 9:30 am-12:30 pm. $5.
Sat., June 22 Naturalist 101: Botany Basics, with Anna Barr, Academy Naturalist & Educator; and Kendra Hauser, Academy Landscape Exhibits Assistant. California Academy of Sciences, 10 am-noon. The Bay Area is home to a dizzying array of native plants. From monkey flowers to lizard tails, how do you begin to identify them? Get started by examining the common parts of flowering plants and discovering differences among major groups. More details & tickets…
Sat., June 22 Habitat Under Construction Bike Ride. Environmental Education Center, Alviso. 10-noon. South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project is engaged in an effort to convert former salt ponds into lands for wildlife habitat, wildlife-oriented recreation, and natural flood protection. Join Park Ranger Jose Garcia in this bike ride and learn about the structure of several different habitats which make up the bay front. Helmets required. Water and other safety gear recommended. PowerPoint will be substituted in case of inclement weather. Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 141 for more information. Free.
June 22, July 6 Breakfast with the Big Cats. Meet Jillian, our Sumatran tiger cub, and the other lions and tigers when you join us for Breakfast with the Big Cats inside the historic Lion House. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and learn about our big cats from the experienced animal keepers and curators who care for them every day. Marvel at how the animal experts engage the lions and tigers in training sessions, enrichment activities or special feedings. Unlike house cats, the Zoo's big cats are not finicky eaters, so watching them enjoy their breakfast is an experience of a lifetime! 9-11 am. Pre-registration is required.
Sat., June 22 Collect seed on the Solstice! Every year, the Backyard Native Nursery Network collects seeds from Green Hairstreak sites. Learn how to collect seeds that will grow into new plants to expand the project for years to come. Meet at 14th & Pacheco for a casual stroll of the Green Hairstreak Corridor. 10 am-2 pm. Seed collection expertise and seed envelopes will be provided. Suggested donation of $15, no one turned away for lack of funds.
June 22-23 Plants of Point Reyes National Seashore: A Weekend Ethnobotanical Field Exploration.
Sun., June 23 San Bruno Mountain Butterfly Count. Volunteers are invited to help with the annual San Bruno Mountain Butterfly count. This count is part of a national, volunteer-based count that has been conducted annually throughout North America for over 35 years by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). All levels of experience are welcome - no previous knowledge of butterfly species is necessary since each group will have a leader familiar with local butterflies. Past years' counts have been highlighted by abundant observations of federally endangered callippe silverspots and mission blues, plus anise swallowtails, pipevine swallowtails, great coppers, and many others. The species list is usually in the twenties! Please contact Patrick Kobernus at (650) 269-3894 or PKobernus@crecology if you would like to participate. Be prepared for hiking on steep, but established, trails. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, water, sunscreen, snacks, etc.! Meet at San Bruno Mountain Park main parking lot just past the entrance kiosk at 9 am. There is a $6 parking fee, plus a $3 fee for participants to cover data collection and analysis.
Sun., June 23 Volunteers are needed to help remove new invasive sea lavender plants that threaten the health and wildlife of San Francisco Bay wetlands. Invasive sea lavenders were detected and removed from the Strawberry and Corte Madera shorelines last year, although follow-up is needed this spring to remove new seedlings. Please join Marin Audubon, the Bay Area Early Detection Network, and other concerned groups and volunteers to remove these plants. By acting now, while the populations are still small and contained to just a few sites, we can nip this problem in the bud. Please note these are sensitive wetland sites requiring special permission to access. Because of this, and also because of the possibility of confusing the native with the invasive sea lavenders, we request that you do not enter these sites or remove invasive plants unless under the direction of a trained biologist permitted to be on-site. RSVP to Mike Perlmutter at mulchpermaculture@yahoo.com. Strawberry shoreline: Meet @ Seminary Drive, 0.8 mile from the Redwood Hwy/Seminary Drive intersection; about 1/4 mile past the apartments, heading south (http://g.co/maps/7w49g). 11am-3pm, Gloves and tools provided.
Sun., June 23 Family Bicycle Adventure. Bring your family, bicycles, and lunches out for a 5-mile ride along the Bay Trail. A naturalist will take the lead and find the best places to discover birds, crabs, and beaches. All ages. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. 10 am-12:30 pm. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. $8.
Sun., June 23 Paddle to the Sea Finale.
Tues., June 25 Exploring Mts & Rock Art of S.F. Mts of Baja California del Sur, with Mike Uhler. The Kippings invite you to Potluck Slideshows on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Please bring your own plates & service & a dish & beverage to serve 8 people. San Francisco County Fair Building, GG Park, 7 pm. For more information, please contact Ted Kipping at tkippingsprint@earthlink.net.
Tues., June 25 Please join SF Bay American Cetacean Society chapter for "Algalita Marine Research Institute's Tsunami and Plastic Pollution Expedition." Shannon Waters of Algalita Marine Research Institute recently returned from the Japanese Tsunami and Plastic Pollution expedition. She will share some of their preliminary findings as well as general experiences sailing across the Pacific and, sadly, witnessing too much plastic in our seas. Saylor's Restaurant (upstairs Cabo Wabo room), 2009 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 7 pm. $5 Suggested Donation goes toward Student Research Grants.
Wed., June 26 Movie Screening: San Francisco: Still Wild at Heart. Wild Equity Institute, San Francisco, 6 pm. Free.
Wed., June 26 Film Screening: Wild Things, a documentary about our ongoing war on native predators. San Francisco SPCA, 243 Alabama, 7 pm.
June 26-July 6 Join SF Bay American Cetacean Society chapter to Swim with Dolphins. Award winning Conscious Breath Adventures' Captain Gene Flipse, and Jeff Pantukhoff, founder and president of the WhaleMan Foundation present one-week expeditions to swim with the world-famous spotted dolphins on the Little Bahama Bank. The trip offers a mix of diving and snorkeling, with an emphasis on swimming with the dolphins, the most highly interactive and friendliest population of wild dolphins on the planet. No tanks, no SeaWorld: wild and free dolphins the way it was meant to be! For general information about the trip, please go to http://consciousbreathadventures.com/swim-with-dolphins/ . Three week-long cruises in 2013: Sat–Sat June 26–July 6 • Jul 6–13 • July 13–20. Gene is being so gracious to give our SF Bay ACS members a 10% discount! If you are not already a member, please go to www.acs-sfbay.org and become a member. Not only are you supporting your chapter, getting our quarterly national Spyhopper periodical, yearly national Whalewatcher magazine (yearly specializing on a specific cetacean species), but fabulous discounts on all our whale watching trips and special events! Please contact me, Lynette Koftinow @ acs-sfbay@gmail.com and Captain Gene Flipse to sign up.
Thurs., June 27 Focus on Butterflies at Cascade Canyon. This preserve is a great spot to see a variety of butterflies: Blues, swallowtails, admirals, sisters, buckeyes, checkerspots, crescents and many more. We'll take the time to observe them as they go about their business of finding nectar, attracting mates, detecting the proper plants to lay eggs on and engaging in a practice called “puddling”. If you're not sure what “puddling” is, you'll have to join us and see. This walk is for adults. Meet at the gate at the end of Cascade Drive. 10 am-1 pm.
Sat., June 29 David Schooley, founder of San Bruno Mountain Watch, will lead hikes into Owl and Buckeye Canyons on the 4th Saturday of each month. These hikes are limited to 10 people and you must sign up in advance at the online hike sign-up page or contact the office by email or phone. David has devoted most of his life to preserving the mountain and sharing it with others through his tireless work leading hikes, speaking, and organizing. His deep knowledge of the mountain and his love of nature will touch those who hike with him. For more information, email Ken or call the SBMW office at (415) 467-6631. Meet at the San Bruno Mountain Watch office at 44 Visitacion Avenue, Brisbane, CA 94005. 10 am-1:30 pm.
Sat., June 29 Moffett Bay Trail Walk in Sunnyvale–6.7 miles roundtrip. This trail is a compacted dirt levee that is flat and level. The walk is self-paced and you may turn back at any time. No reservations are needed. Hats, water, and sunscreen are strongly recommended. From Hwy 101 or 880, exit onto Highway 237 towards Alviso. From 237, take the Caribbean Dr. exit and head north onto Caribbean Dr. (not Lawrence Expy). Turn right on Borregas Avenue. At the stop sign in front of the sewage treatment plant, take a left onto Carl Road and park in the far parking lot. Ken Roux will be there to greet you at 8:30 am. Free.
Sun., June 30 Butterfly Corridor Excursion. Join Planet Drum Foundation staff, friends, and family for our monthly Workshop-Workday to continue community engagement in place-based projects in San Francisco. This month we will take a stroll on one of San Francisco's main drags for people and the rare Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly: the Market Street Corridor. Guided by lepidopterists Amber Hasselbring and Liam O'Brian, we will learn about the importance of natural corridors for humans and the communal life around us. Market Street may seem like an unlikely habitat for butterflies, but the corridor of London Plane trees, canyon of tall buildings, and sources for water from urban fountains have created an unplanned riparian area that has become the home of Western Tiger Swallowtails. First noted by lepidopterist Harriet Reinhard in 1987, this phenomenon is an incredible story of wildlife adaptation within the heart of the city. Ferry Building, San Francisco, 11 am-2 pm. Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, and a camera. Snack refreshments will be provided by Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, a Worker-Owned Collective. For more information, contact Ben at planetdrum@yahoo.com. Free, suggested donation of $5-$15.
Sun., June 30 The Exploratorium is proud to be a partner with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) since 2009; and is celebrating it on Sunday June 30 with the public. Meet oceanic and atmospheric scientists from NOAA who helped develop some of the latest Exploratorium exhibits, see fish head dissections, and get a sneak peek at their research vessel June 28 through July 1. During the latest docking of the Bell M. Shimada at Pier 15 at the Exploratorium, on June 30 only, some lucky visitors will be able to walk-through this 209-foot, state-of-the-art fisheries research vessel. The 30-min. tour will include a visit to the ship bridge, laboratory, and the back fishing deck. Entries are extremely limited and on a first-come first-serve basis from 1-4 pm only. Only about 250 people total will be given entry. All visitors will undergo ID checks. Visitor requirements: flat, closed-toed shoes only. While there is no age limit, visitors must be mobile (able to climb ladders and gangways without assistance) and children must be accompanied by adults.
Sun., June 30 Leopard Shark Feeding Frenzy. Assist the Interpretive Center staff during the daily feeding of our shark tank. Learn about the surfperch, lined shore crabs, anemones and barnacles that inhabit the tank along with our resident leopard sharks. New animals are added all the time! All ages. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. 2-3 pm. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. Free.
June 30-July 5 Exploring Sierra Nevada Natural History with David Lukas. This class is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in a complete study of all aspects of Sierra Nevada Natural History as we study everything from flowers to insects to birds in a wide variety of habitats around Yuba Pass in the northern Sierra Nevada. Sierra Nevada Field Campus. For more information, go to www.sfsu.edu/~sierra/Courses.html.
Fri., July 5 Kent Island Restoration Team. Meet at the public dock on Wharf Road in Bolinas (across from the College of Marin biology lab). 10 am-2 pm. Learn to identify invasive species, get hands-on training, and be a part of the team working to protect and restore the unique ecosystem on Kent Island in Bolinas Lagoon. Space is limited, so RSVP to save yourself a spot! To receive updates or to RSVP, contact Tori Bohlen at VBohlen@marincounty.org or the Marin County Parks volunteer office at (415) 473-3778.
Sat., July 6 Breakfast with the Big Cats. Meet Jillian, our Sumatran tiger cub, and the other lions and tigers when you join us for Breakfast with the Big Cats inside the historic Lion House. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and learn about our big cats from the experienced animal keepers and curators who care for them every day. Marvel at how the animal experts engage the lions and tigers in training sessions, enrichment activities or special feedings. Unlike house cats, the Zoo's big cats are not finicky eaters, so watching them enjoy their breakfast is an experience of a lifetime! 9-11 am. Pre-registration is required.
Sat., July 6 Nature Walk for Health. Take a break from your busy schedule and refresh your spirit with nature at the refuge. Take a guided nature walk on the Tidelands Trail and hear what makes this National Wildlife Refuge unique. The 1 1/3 mile walk traverses through endangered species habitat and offers great views of South San Francisco Bay. Meet in front of the Visitor Center, Fremont. 9-10 am. Free.
Sun., July 7 Hike Through Shoreline History. Discuss the unique and interesting history of the Bay Area ranging from 300,000 years ago to the opening of the shoreline park. Walk through remnants left by settlers who worked at the shoreline over one hundred years ago. Ages 18+. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. Nono-2 pm. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. $8.
July 7-12 Natural History of Sierra Nevada Birds, with David Lukas. This class is a fun and exciting chance to learn about a full range of birds found in the northern Sierra Nevada. Over the course of five days we will explore a wide variety of habitats, including the rich marshes of Sierra Valley, while learning about bird behavior, bird songs, bird habitats, and bird anatomy. Sierra Nevada Field Campus. For more information, go to www.sfsu.edu/~sierra/Courses.html.
Thurs., July 11 The Bone Room Presents a formal opening for our new show, "Details of Nature: Intimate portraits of the natural world" by artist Elizabeth Romanini, which will run from July 6th until September 3rd. The Bone Room, 1569 Solano Ave. Berkeley, CA 94707. 7 pm. For more information, contact evolve@boneroom.com/510-526-5252. Free.
Thurs., July 11 Beavers of Martinez, with Heidi Perryman, Founder of Worth A Dam. Randall Museum Theater, 199 Museum Way, San Francisco CA 94114. 7:30-9 pm. For more information, go to www.sfns.org or contact Patrick Schlemmer at JKodiak@earthlink.net or (415) 225-3830. Free and open to everyone.
Sat., July 13 When Life Gives You Lemons, Go Out and Find Some Birds. Young birds abound this time of year, so today we will boost our spirits and seek out some of our lesser spotted juveniles: Black-crowned Night Herons. They look surprisingly different than their parents, and it's fun to compare and contrast them. Meet at the Interpretive Center, and we'll head into the freshwater marsh where the dense tule grow. Ages 12+. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. 10 am-1 pm. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. $5.
Sun., July 14 Bugs of the Bay. Environmental Education Center, Alviso. 1-2:30 pm. Come and learn about the many different insects that call the San Francisco Bay home. Insects are an integral part of the wetland ecosystem, and play many different roles in the health of our wetlands. Reservations recommended. All ages are welcome. Call Julie at (408) 262-5513 ext. 104.
through July 14 Audubon Canyon Ranch is open on weekends and holidays through July 14. 10 am-4 pm. Watch egrets and great blue herons courting and nesting and see chicks take their first flights in one of the major West Coast colonies. 4900 Shoreline Hwy One, three miles north of Stinson Beach. For more information, call (415) 868-9244.
Sun., July 14 Habitat Restoration at McKinley Square Hillside, 10 am-noon. For more information, contact chris@McKinleySquare.org.
Thurs., July 18 Bay Area Natural Soundscapes: Celebrate World Listening Day with a surround-sound tour presented by Dan Dugan, sound engineer. Learn about the theory of soundscape analysis and the parks' struggles for soundscape preservation. There will be an opportunity to try on some bionic ears! Randall Museum, 7:30 pm. Free.
July 19-21 Sierra Nevada Natural History with David Lukas. Camp out under the stars, watch the sun rise, and relax with three days of hiking and exploring the natural history of the High Sierra with David Lukas. This is an incredible opportunity to experience alpine meadows full of flowers, buzzing insects, and singing birds. For more information, contact the Yosemite Conservancy at www.yosemiteconservancystore.com/Prod-235-1-422-36/Sierra_Nevada_Natural_History__July_19-21.htm.
Sat., July 20 Water, Water, Everywhere. Environmental Education Center, Alviso. 10:30 am-noon. How much water is there and where does it come from? Where does it go? How much of the Earth's water supply can we use? Learn about the water cycle and watersheds. Build a model of a watershed and see if you can predict where the water will go. Open to all ages but best suited to third grade and up. Led by Ed Kantack. Please call Debra at (408) 262-5513 ext. 102 for reservations. Free.
Sun., July 21 Kids and Chrysalises. If you know where to look, you can see caterpillars crawling in plain site at the shoreline. Learn about how butterflies live and then go outside and learn how to get up close to these fantastic insects. Ages 3+. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. 11 am-noon. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. $5.
through July 23 Paddle to the Sea: Tuolumne River Trust's annual Paddle-A-Thon.
Fri., July 26 Nocturnal Wonders Environmental Education Center, Alviso. Experience the refuge after the sun has set as we learn about nocturnal wildlife. We'll learn what makes these nighttime creatures unique. We'll test our own abilities to survive in the dark. We will mostly be outdoors, so come prepared for cool weather. Program led by Intern Jennifer Fraga. Call Debra at 408-262-5513 ext. 102 for reservations. 8:30-10 pm. Free.
Sat., July 27 Redwood Shores Trail – 5 miles. Meet in front of Marriot Towne Place Suites at 9 am. Meet new people while getting fit and healthy! This trail in Redwood Shores is flat and level. The walk is self-paced and you may turn back at any time. No reservations are needed. Hats, water, and sunscreen are strongly recommended. Jennifer Fraga will be there to greet you. Directions: From northbound 101, take the Holly St/Redwood Shores Parkway exit. From southbound 101, take the Holly St/Brittan Ave exit. Head east towards Redwood Shores Parkway. Turn right on Twin Dolphin Dr. and meet at 1000 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City. Meet in parking lot in front of Marriot Towne Place Suites.
Sun., July 28 Leopard Shark Feeding Frenzy. Assist the Interpretive Center staff during the daily feeding of our shark tank. Learn about the surfperch, lined shore crabs, anemones and barnacles that inhabit the tank along with our resident leopard sharks. New animals are added all the time! All ages. Free. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. 2-3 pm. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. Free.
June 28-30 Tending the Wild.
July 29-Aug. 3 Great Basin Camping with Michael Ellis. Gentle streams cascade through alpine fields and meadows are bursting with wildflowers. We will have the option of climbing the second highest mountain in Nevada, Wheeler Peak at 13,063'. We can taste a remnant from the last ice age, an honest-to-goodness glacier. Ancient bristlecone pine forests cling to the scree slopes. In fact the Forest Service cut the oldest living tree in the world down here in 1964 (your government at work). With the park's naturalists we'll explore Lehman Cave. As an added delight is the nearby town of Ely, where steam trains still ply the historic Northern Nevada Rail line. This is a car camping trip but there are motels nearby. For more information, go to Footloose Forays. $525.
Thurs., Aug. 1 California's Native Prairies, with speaker Glen Holstein. California's prairies and grasslands, one of numerous native plant communities, are a remnant of what they were some 25, 50, or 100 years ago. Humans are largely responsible for this decline. Too few of us pay attention to the effect our actions have on the environment and fewer still make the connection between an eroding environment and cumulative impacts to human health or to plants and animals. The speaker will discuss what makes a grassland a prairie, the importance of the prairie ecosystem, how well it is understood and whether it can be restored. He will allow us to marvel over the stunning display of wildflowers. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to learn about this important and diverse ecosystem. Recreation Room of the San Francisco County Fair Building (SFCFB) at 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way in Golden Gate Park. 7:30 pm. Free.
Sat., Aug. 3 A Trip Back in Time. Revive the vanishing knowledge of the history of the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge grounds by strolling the trails with docent Ray Studer. Using a collection of old photographs, the last vestiges of a way of life such as salt production, the old railroads, and homes can be traced back to the 1850s that led to the construction of the town of Newark in 1876. Visitor Center, Fremont. 10:30 am-noon. Free.
Sat., Aug. 10 Who You Calling Polyandrous? There is a small shorebird common in our bay at this time of year that follows the unusual practice of polyandry. It's the female Red-necked Phalarope that wears the colorful plumage while her drab male counterpart incubates and raises their young. Meet at the Interpretive Center and we'll head into the freshwater marsh to find these super birds. Ages 12+. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. 9:30 am-12:30 pm. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. $5.
Sun., Aug. 11 Mysteries of Wastewater Treatment. Environmental Education Center, Alviso. 1-2 pm. The San Jose-Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant treats hundreds of millions of gallons of wastewater from millions of people every day using some of the most advanced treatment technologies available. Come and learn what it takes to make this interesting process happen through a slideshow and hands-on activity that treats “wastewater.” A tour of the Water Pollution Control Plant is not included as a part of this program. Call Julie at (408) 262-5513 ext. 104.
Thurs., Aug. 15 Past, Present, & Future of Presidio's Mountain Lake: Jonathan Young & Brian Hildebidle will talk about the historic/cultural aspects as well as the current aquatic ecological remediation and restoration project. Randall Museum, 7:30 pm. Free.
Sat., Aug. 17 All About Owls. Environmental Education Center, Alviso. 1:30-3 pm. Learn all that you've ever wanted to learn about owls here at the refuge! Where do owls eat? How do we not hear them when they flap their wings? Through an interactive presentation and owl pellet dissection, we'll find the answers to all these questions. Led by Paul Bridges. Call Debra at (408) 262-5513 ext. 102 for reservations. Free.
Aug. 17-18 Tuolumne Birds with David Lukas. For more information, contact the Yosemite Conservancy at
www.yosemiteconservancystore.com/Prod-235-1-405/Tuolumne_Birds__August_17-18.htm.
Sun., Aug. 18 The Art of Animal Tracking. Noon-2 pm. Animals tend to hide from people, but the signs they leave can be found everywhere at the shoreline if you know where to look. Explore tracks, scat, nests, and burrows while hiking through a trail normally closed to the public. Age 7+. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward CA 94544. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. $8.
Sat., Aug. 24 Mallard Slough Trail Walk – 4.3 mile-loop. Environmental Education Center, Alviso. Meet new people while getting fit and healthy! This trail is compacted dirt, flat and level. The walk is self-paced and you may turn back at any time. No reservations are needed. Hats, water, and sunscreen are strongly recommended. Ken Roux will be there to greet you at 9 am. Free.
Sat., Aug. 24 August Grain Moon Evening Hike. As the cloudy summer evenings give way to our Bay Area "Autumn Summers," we will enjoy an evening hike to the Bay under the light of the August Grain Moon, also known as the Green Corn Full Moon. Enjoy a shoreline sunset, explore past stories of this month's skies, and indulge in a seasonal snack. 7-9 pm. Ages 18+. Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward CA 94544. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. $8.
Sun., Aug. 25 10th Annual 10K on the Bay Race/Walk. Run or walk along the stunning San Francisco Bay Trail and enjoy breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. Our flat trail is great for beginners and advanced runners looking for speed. Proceeds from this event help to maintain and enhance the educational programs, exhibits, and facilities of the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center. Registration starts at 7 am; 5K start 8:30 am, 10K start 8:40 am. To register or for more information, visit10Konthebay.org.
through August 25 The California Historical Society's latest exhibit, Curating the Bay: Crowdsourcing a New Environmental History, gives you a new look into their collections, inviting you to participate in telling the story of the Bay. Beyond its participatory nature, this exhibit intersects with a couple interest areas of ours starting with our Ecology Emerges project of 2010, and our involvement with Historypin's Year of the Bay crowdsourced photo collection. 678 Mission Street (at 3rd), open Tuesday-Sunday 12-5 pm.
Sat., Aug. 31 Leopard Shark Feeding Frenzy. Assist the Interpretive Center staff during the daily feeding of our shark tank. Learn about the surfperch, lined shore crabs, anemones and barnacles that inhabit the tank along with our resident leopard sharks. New animals are added all the time! Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, 4901 Breakwater Ave. Hayward CA 94544. 2-3 pm. For more information, call (510) 670-7270. All ages. Free.
Thurs., Sept. 19 Ancient Monuments and Funerary Places in the San Francisco Bay: Perry Matlock, archivist for the Sacred Sites Preservation & Rights of Indigenous Tribes, will talk about the shellmounds and the people who made them. Randall Museum, 7:30 pm. Free.
Fri., Oct. 4 Mystery of Bird Song. David Lukas will present his popular "Mystery of Bird Song" talk for the Rescue Center's annual Natural History of the Wild Birds of Northern California lecture series. The Bird Rescue Center, Santa Rosa, 7-9 p.m. For more informaiton, go to www.birdrescuecenter.org/
Fri., Oct. 4 David Hochschild of the California Energy Commission; the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights; Lynn Jurich, CEO, Sunrun; Senator Leland Yee; Assemblymember Nancy Skinner; Earth Justice; and Tom Bates, Mayor of Berkeley, invite you to join us for the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club's 4th Annual David Brower Dinner. Parc 55 Hotel, 55 Cyril Magnin St., San Francisco ( map ), 6-9 pm. $225 per person. Purchase your tickets online today!
Thurs., Oct. 10 ZomBees! with Professor John Hafernik. Randall Museum Theater, 199 Museum Way, San Francisco CA 94114. 7:30-9 pm. For more information, go to www.sfns.org or contact Patrick Schlemmer at JKodiak@earthlink.net or (415) 225-3830. Free and open to everyone.
Thurs., Oct. 17 Bird Feathers and Bird Bones: David Lukas, writer and naturalist, will cover bird bones, feathers, and muscles and how they work together to help a bird fly and live in its environment. Expect to learn about the inner and outer workings of birds. Randall Museum, 7:30 pm. Free.
Sun., Oct. 20 Wine Country Optics & Nature Festival. Cornerstone Gardens, Sonoma, 9 am-5 pm. For more information, go to www.sonomabirding.com.
Oct. 24-Nov. 2 3rd annual Bay Area Science Festival. The festival, organized by UC-San Francisco, is a celebration of all things science & technology. With over 50 events in 10 days, our average attendance is over 60,000 per year. There are many opportunities to participate including:
Hosting an exhibit during Discovery Days, three free hands-on science days attracting diverse families from across the Bay Area. The finale at AT&T Park drew more than 30,000 last year alone! Our registration portal is open May 27th – September 27th. More info: http://bit.ly/BASFexhibit
Hosting/Participating in an evening event during the festival. This includes lectures, debates, hands-on explorations, and much more - all geared towards adults. Check out the 2012 program for some examples: http://bit.ly/BASFProgram12.
Thurs., Nov. 21 World of the California Newt: Filmmaker Lance Milbrand will preview his video-in-progress encompassing all things a newt may see and experience in its twenty-year lifespan. Filmed entirely in the Santa Cruz mountains. For more information, go to http://milbrandcinema.com. Randall Museum, 7:30 pm. Free.