From our blogs

10 Feb 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.

02 Feb 2024

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
27 Jan 2024

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!

01 Jan 2024

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.

01 Dec 2023

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.

21 Nov 2023

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

08 Nov 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!

26 Jul 2023

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!

17 May 2023

Apply to join the Hybrid Marsh-In Summer Camp • July 24-28, 2023

We are so excited to welcome campers back for another year of Marsh-In Summer Camp at the Don Edwards SF Bay NWR! This is the 44th year of free Summer Camp being offered to Bay Area youth entering Grades 1-6 and will take place at Refuge Headquarters in Fremont at 1 Marshlands Rd, Fremont, CA 94555.

We welcome parents & guardians from all over the Bay Area to apply via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/cq6vCc9uYtM37ddR6. Applications are due on June 9th, and Summer Camp acceptances will be sent out by June 16th. The application form will give you a sneak peek at the camp schedule and some of the incredible opportunities for campers to engage with nature at their local, national wildlife refuge!

Please reach out to summercamp@sfbayws.org if you have any questions.

01 May 2023

Mother's Day at the Refuge • May 14 2023, 10am – 2pm

Mother's Day | May 14, 2023

We hope you will join us in celebrating all of the mothers of the world by attending our Mother's Day Celebration at the Refuge!

You may arrive any time from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 14th, at the Environmental Education Center at the Don Edwards SF Bay NWR.

The event will be an open house, with time to explore, learn more about Mama Birds, join a guided walk or ranger program, participate in some fun Mother's Day arts & crafts, and much more!

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