From our blogs

American green-winged teal. Photo by Vince Pahkala courtesy Wikipedia.

Artists are invited to submit their original artwork to the 2015-2016 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will accept submissions from May 1 through June 3.

The contest is open to U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older as of March 4, 2015. Entrants need not reside in California.

The winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2015-2016 California Duck Stamp. The top submissions will also be showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s art show in July.

The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission, which for the 2015-2016 hunting season is the American green-winged teal.

Do you get a lot of questions from the public about birds that stymie you? This may be the course for you! The National Conservation Training Center of the U.S. Fish & Widlife Service would like to announce a course in Basic Bird Biology (CSP 2100) that takes place at Tualatin NWR in Portland, Oregon, from June 1 through 5, 2015.

Course Description

This extensive survey course on bird biology and ecology is designed to provide you with the ability to integrate ecological knowledge and thinking into your daily work process. The goal of the course is to provide you the ecological knowledge to handle basic questions or problems regarding migratory birds. During the course, you will have hands-on learning about bird morphology, behavior, habitat selection, identification, and regulatory protections. You will also work with live and preserved specimens.

Who Should Attend

Individuals who interact with the public and would like to be able to answer basic bird ecology questions; permits specialists, law enforcement, inspectors, administration, park rangers, outdoor recreation planners.

Trash is everywhere. Soda cans, plastic bags, and cigarette butts litter the environment, choke wildlife, and threaten our planet. By combining technology, social awareness and art, the Litterati is tackling this ever-escalating problem one piece of litter at a time.

• Venue: Environmental Education Center, Alviso
• Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
• FREE Admission with complimentary refreshments provided by the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society.
• Space is limited, please register at: http://litteratieec.eventbrite.com

This planet we call home is a big place to keep clean. We all need to play our part. Join the Litterati. www.litterati.org

The California Native Plant Society (Santa Clara Valley Chapter) in association with UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County present the 13th Annual Going Native Garden Tour.

• Saturday April 18, 2015, 10am - 4pm: Southern Gardens (Cupertino, Santa Clara, Campbell, San Jose and south)
• Sunday April 19, 2015, 10am - 4pm: Northern Gardens (Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and San Mateo County)
• Free admission
• Plant sales and talks at select gardens
• Register at www.gngt.org

Bay Area homeowners are making their gardens aesthetically pleasing, attractive to birds and butterflies, water-wise, and low maintenance by incorporating California native plants. Visit gardens landscaped with native plants on this free annual tour, now in its thirteenth year.

Garden information, maps and directions will become available to registrants the week of April 7. Registrations will be accepted until Sun, Apr 19, 2015, 3:00 pm. For information, visit www.gngt.org or email info@gngt.org To sponsor or support the tour, contact info@GoingNativeGardenTour.org.