From our blogs

Marsh-In Summer Camp and Program Associate 2024

We are hiring! Want the chance to work outdoors on a National Wildlife Refuge and engage kids with nature? Apply to join our team at the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society as the Summer Camp Associate!

We are looking for a passionate and tenacious team member to engage with our local youth and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Check out the details below to learn more and apply.

* Part-time, May to August 2024
* Gain experience working in the nonprofit sector and work closely with refuge staff and volunteers.
* Engage the next generation of young environmental stewards.
* Work outside on a National Wildlife Refuge
* Hybrid working schedule
* First review of applications: March 18, 2024

Marsh-In Summer Camp Associate 2024

Great Backyard Bird Count • February 16 — 19, 2024

Join people from around the world count wild birds on the February 16 to 19 weekend and then submit your data online for scientists to use in their research. The kid-friendly event is run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, plus other sponsors and international partners.

Whether you’re a sage expert or a first-time birder, you can help create a snapshot of avian populations and provide critical information for future conservation efforts just by reporting what you see and hear. Every observation you submit gives scientists more insight into research areas such as how birds are adapting to suburban sprawl, West Nile Virus, and climate change. It’s free, it’s fun, and it makes a difference.

So how do you take part? Read on at https://www.birdcount.org/participate/ to learn how to participate and then share your photos: https://www.birdcount.org/photos/ of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2024.

Bay Area Older Adults 50+ spring time hikes 2024

Are you an adult 50+ years old living in the Bay Area? Join us and explore Santa Clara County's open spaces and enjoy lakes, mineral springs, migrating birds, wildflowers and more while learning about Silicon Valley's rich culture, history and wildlife.

Registration required at https://www.bayareaolderadults.org/bao-hikes.

Birding along Uvas Creek

Wednesday February 28, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Uvas Creek Preserve in Gilroy is a 125-acre city park that has Uvas Creek running its center. Mining operations filled in the creek back in the 1970s and restoration of the creek was completed in 1995. Our expert birder and naturalist will lead us on a leisurely walk along the creek that is home to metallic blue tree swallows, white-tailed kites, California thrashers, pineapple weed and turkey tangle frogfruit. We end the afternoon with a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is San Jose CA 95120 for van carpoolers or Gilroy 95020 for hike start location.
Additional Benefits: Transportation to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included. You can borrow binoculars.

Participate in February 2024 King Tides Project in Alviso

Very high tides known as King Tides are coming to shorelines across California Friday, February 9, 2024. King Tides are caused when there is alignment of the gravitational pull between the sun, moon and Earth. They are predictable and happen a few times of year. They are the highest tides of the year, and offer a glimpse into what life along the coast and bay could be like of sea levels continue to rise. They also provide visibility to the trash polluting our water ways and the San Francisco Bay.

The California Coastal Commission’s King Tides Project is asking for people to document the coast for a citizen-science project that aims to give decision-makers a look at how to address sea-level rise in future years.

When: Friday, February 9, 2024 - 11:00am to 12:30pm
Where: Don Edwards SFB NWR EEC, 1751 Grand Blvd San Jose, CA 95002

Sign up today to learn about this year’s King Tide events! The CCC uses the Survey123 app to track community science king tide photos.

We are inviting you as well to participate in this year's King Tides Project in Alviso!

We have a few spots at and around Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge where you can witness the year’s highest tides.

King tides observation points in Alviso, CA

The Winter 2023 Issue of Tide Rising, our quarterly newsletter, is here

by Ceal Craig

Tide Rising: Volume 5, Issue 2, Winter 2023

Tide Rising: Volume 5, Issue 2, Winter 2023.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is happy to publish the latest issue of its digital newsletter, Tide Rising: Volume 5, Issue 2, Winter 2023. This issue’s theme is Restoration & Reflection.

In this issue:

  • Restoration and Reflection: USFWS seeking input for revamp of Environmental Education Center and surrounding public spaces. VTA seeking input for Beneficial Reuse of Excavated Material in Tidal Marsh Restoration Project during public scoping period. On its 20th anniversary of formation, the South Bay Salt Pond. Restoration Project opened 300-acres more of former industrial salt pond to the Bay, restoring critical tidal marsh habitat.
  • SFBWS Corner: EEC construction for the Shoreline Levee Project, king tides at the EEC and nearby, and more about our National Wildlife Refuges.
  • Wildlife Education: Learn about the dormancy patterns of California native plants and their relationship with the lichens that grow on them.
  • Community Highlights: Hear about a Bay Area native who grew up hunting and is now passing along his knowledge and guidance to junior hunters.

Readers' feedback:
Enjoy the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society Quarterly Newsletter! Share your ideas for future articles! What interests you? Tell Us! Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society’s Quarterly Newsletter!

Editors: Clayton Ou, Ceal Craig, PhD
Contributors: SFBWS: Ceal Craig, Aja Yee, Madison Cline. USFWS: Melisa Amato, Chris Barr, Gerry McChesney.
Photographers: Ambarish Goswami, USFWS, VTA, Ceal Craig, Miguelina Portorreal, Charles Anderson, Madison Cline, Billy Roark, Sam Darmstadt.

Thanks for reading!

Volunteer positions available

Join a fun group of Refuge Volunteers who share a passion!

Come join us! We need your help.

Nature Store Volunteer, Fremont

* Manage Nature Store sales
* Trained to engage with Refuge visitors and respond to questions.
* Weekend shifts
* Network and learn about the refuge

Please contact mary.deschene@sfbayws.org for more information.

Support us with our membership drive this 2023 holiday season

Happy Holidays!

Nature-themed Gifts

This holiday season, share your love of nature and the National Wildlife Refuges by gifting your loved ones nature-themed gifts.

You can buy the nature-themed gifts online or you can mail us a check along with an order form.

⮇ Click here to order nature-themed gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. ⮇

All proceeds from the book sale benefit the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society.

Gift a membership

Help a loved one become a Supporter of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society. If you are an existing member of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society, you can gift a membership to a friend or family member.

⮇ Click here for the membership form. ⮇

If you have placed an order with the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society for a Nature Gift, you may even do so at no cost to yourself or the gift recipient.

⮇ Click here for the Gift Membership form. ⮇

Your gift recipient will enjoy all the benefits that come with membership: a subscription to the digital, quarterly newsletter Tide Rising and a 15% discount at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Nature Stores at the Visitor Center in Fremont, and Environmental Education in Alviso.

On #GivingTuesday 2023 help us conserve and preserve the essential wildlife habitat of the San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society wants to wish you all happy holidays. No matter what holiday you may celebrate, as we all gather this season, we share the common values of gratitude, compassion, and giving.

#GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, falling on November 28, 2023 this year, has become a day to support not-for-profit organizations.

We hope you will consider the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex with a donation to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society through PayPal (or you can send a check).

#GivingTuesday 2023

The Fall 2023 Issue of Tide Rising, our quarterly newsletter, is here

by Ceal Craig

Tide Rising: Volume 5, Issue 1, Fall 2023

Tide Rising: Volume 5, Issue 1, Fall 2023.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is happy to publish the latest issue of its digital newsletter, Tide Rising: Volume 5, Issue 1, Fall 2023. This issue’s theme is Partnerships & Supporters.

In this issue:

  • SFBWS Corner: How do the articles and ideas connect this issue? “On the Trail”. Bioblitzes, citizen science, South Bay partner orgs, and more.
  • Partnerships and Supporters Reports: How Are Refuges Doing Series shares sand dune vegetation cover and composition update. Learn about San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, its team, and why it is
    important to Complex, SFBWS members and readers.
  • Reports from the Field: 2023 Hybrid Marsh-In Summer Camp: from former camper perspective & Habitat Hero. Learn about the many volunteers and staff who made the coastal cleanup efforts productive throughout the complex, San Pablo Bay NWR, and at Alviso Environmental Education area.
  • Youth Perspectives: Hear from two young women making a difference as volunteers supporting the Refuges.

Editors: Clayton Ou, Ceal Craig, PhD
Contributors: SFBWS: Ceal Craig, Madison Cline, Makenna Ma, Mary Deschene, Olivia Poulos. USFWS: Melisa Amato, Chris Barr, Paul Mueller, Winnie Chan. Volunteers: & Supporters: Larry Rosenblum, Riya and Isha. Photographers: Ceal Craig, Larry Rosenblum, Madison Cline, Melisa Amato, Paul Mueller, Riya and Isha.

Thanks for reading!

The Summer 2023 Issue of Tide Rising, our quarterly newsletter, is here

by Ceal Craig

Tide Rising: Volume 4, Issue 5, Summer 2023

Tide Rising: Volume 4, Issue 5, Summer 2023.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is happy to publish the latest issue of its digital newsletter, Tide Rising: Volume 4, Issue 5, Summer 2023. This issue’s theme is Exploration & Discovery.

In this issue:

  • Warm Springs Unit: Bloom Energy employees explore the Warm Spring Unit. Long-time USFWS staff member recognized.
  • Environmental Science - Green Everywhere in the South Bay: Boom year for freshwater loving fish, so much green in the marsh.
  • Reports from the Field: Partners in conservation & wildlife at VA Alameda Point. Latino Conservation Week: 10th Year Celebrations. CA tadpoles at Ellicott Slough.
  • News! EA Volunteer Day. Staff Updates. Activities coming up!

Readers' feedback:
Enjoy and share your ideas for future edition articles! What interests you? Write us.

Editors: Ceal Craig, PhD
Contributors: SFBWS: Ceal Craig, Olivia Poulos, Aja Yee. USFWS: Susan Euing, Diane, Kodama, Ivette Loredo, Lucia Marquez, Paul Mueller. Volunteers & Supporters: Jim Ervin
Photographers: Gene Bobik, Susan Euing, Ambarish Goswami, Diane Kodama, Lucia Marquez, Olivia Poulos, USFWS, Aja Yee.

Thanks for reading!

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