From our blogs

Celebrate World Wildlife Day: Attract & Report Bird Species at-home!

DIY Bird Feeder

World Wildlife Day is Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Get ready for it by creating a DIY bird feeder for your backyard, porch, or balcony!

Attracting birds to your outdoor space can be beneficial for the birds and for you. Observing birds through sight and sound has wonderful calming benefits to our health. Improving our mental and physical well-being is always important, but even more so right now as we approach a year of staying at home.

So gather your household family members to make these fun bird feeders.

DIY toilet paper roll bird feeder

Take it to the next step by learning more about the birds that are coming to your feeder and report what you see. Scientists use this data to track migration patterns, leading to management and policy changes as needed.

⮇ Click here to download the handout (PDF 1.2 MB) ⮇

Antioch Dunes wildlife refuge being restored

Wildlife resource specialist Louis Terrazas inspects sand placed on the Antioch Dunes national wildlife refuge site through a partnership with the Port of Stockton. The background area to the right is refuge land that has yet to be restored with sand. Credit: Brandon Honig/USFWS

Wildlife resource specialist Louis Terrazas inspects sand placed on the Antioch Dunes national wildlife refuge site through a partnership with the Port of Stockton. The background area to the right is refuge land that has yet to be restored with sand. Credit: Brandon Honig/USFWS.

Roni Gehlke, a columnist with the East BayTimes, writes in today's edition:

the Antioch Dunes are going through a long-range restoration project to support the three endangered species that live on the property.

Read on to find out more about how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife has worked with the Port of Stockton and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers since 2013 to bring dredged sand material to the dunes to help restore the land to its natural beginnings.

Submit your artwork for the Earth Day 2021 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 June 2021. See our flyer!

All submissions are due by March 17th 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 2021 theme, "Restore Our Earth."

The Winter 2020 Issue of Tide Rising, our quarterly newsletter, is here

by Ceal Craig

Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 2, Winter 2020

Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 2, Winter 2020.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is happy to publish the latest issue of its digital newsletter, Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 2, Winter 2020. This issue’s theme is Reflection & Restoration.

In this issue:

  • Reflections from a new Wildlife Refuge Specialist supporting the Farallones, our island Refuge, west of the Golden Gate.
  • Read about restoration efforts at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
  • SFBWS Staff members provide update on restoration efforts at Antioch Dunes and new ways to experience vernal pools and birds.
  • Friends groups columns focus on their support of restoration efforts on Refuges as well as reflections of how Friends groups help Refuges they support. Our Acting Complex Manager provides his reflections on 2020: a must read.

Readers' feedback:
Based on readers feedback, you will see a new format for the email version of the newsletter. A short synopsis will be in this email with a photo or two, with an Acrobat .pdf file LINK with the FULL story. This should help you read the whole newsletter in brief, and dive into stories that interest you more easily.

Editors: Ceal Craig, PhD; Renee Fitzsimons
Contributors: Aidona Kakouros, Brett Stormoen, Ceal Craig, Hope Presley, Mary Deschene, Renee Fitzsimons (SFBWS). Alyssa Clevenstine (USFWS), Amberish (volunteer photographer), Francesca Demgen (Friends of San Pablo Bay), Matt Brown (USFWS).

Thanks for reading!

Support us with your charitable donation this 2020 holiday season

Happy Holidays!

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).

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.

During this holiday season, there are people across the globe celebrating in a variety of ways and on many different days, but what we all have in common are the values these holidays represent: gratitude, compassion, and giving. Although the holiday season might look a little different this year, we can still celebrate these core values that make ourselves, our families, and our communities better.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is grateful that we have still been able to connect students and families to wildlife (even though we are all at home!), and we feel compassion for those that cannot stay home and are supporting our communities and our health on a daily basis.

This holiday season, you can give back to your local community by giving to organizations that you believe help make your community better. We hope that you consider giving to us, as your gifts will be used to connect with students and families right here in the Bay Area. If you can in these difficult times, help us help the Refuges continue our environmental education and interpretive programs, the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society will be able to keep working along with many Refuge volunteers to keep our public lands available for you and wildlife.

Online Nature Store

You can show your support by purchasing items from our online Nature Store. Please email Mary Deschene, our Program Administrator, at mary.deschene@sfbayws.org to arrange a phone call and place an order over the phone. Please allow three (3) weeks for delivery. Access to our inventory is somewhat limited as it is on Refuge property.

Click here to support us with your purchase from our online Nature Store this holiday season.

Donate

A general donation is appreciated, or you can select these key projects: Summer Camp 2021, FWS & SFBWS Volunteer Recognition efforts, Tai Chi at Don Edwards, Habitat Restoration & Research at Ellicott Slough Refuge and Salinas River Refuge.

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 (EIN: 94-3039253).

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

Celebrate Winter: Identify constellations in the night sky with a Star Chart activity

Star Chart

This weekend is a great time of the month to look up at the sky to see stars and planets! The moon will be entering the "New Moon" phase on Sunday, which means there won't be light from the sun reflecting off the moon, obscuring our view of the stars. A great time to identify constellations in the night sky!

Did you know we have a world-renowned observatory right here in the Bay Area? Since 1888, Lick Observatory has provided astronomers with equipment that allows them to study the stars, planets, and universe that surrounds us. It is owned and operated by University of California. To more about Lick Observatory, their research, and more educational opportunities, visit: http://www.ucolick.org/main/index.html

On #GivingTuesday 2020 help us conserve and preserve the essential wildlife habitat of the San Francisco Bay

#GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, falling on December 1, 2020 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).

About Us

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.

Giving thanks

During this holiday season, there are people across the globe celebrating in a variety of ways and on many different days, but what we all have in common are the values these holidays represent: gratitude, compassion, and giving. Although the holiday season might look a little different this year, we can still celebrate these core values that make ourselves, our families, and our communities better.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is grateful that we have still been able to connect students and families to wildlife (even though we are all at home!), and we feel compassion for those that cannot stay home and are supporting our communities and our health on a daily basis.

#GivingTuesday

Next Tuesday is #GivingTuesday, a day to give back to your local community by giving to organizations that you believe help make your community better. We hope that you consider giving to us, as your gifts will be used to connect with students and families right here in the Bay Area. If you can in these difficult times, help us help the Refuges continue our environmental education and interpretive programs, the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society will be able to keep working along with many Refuge volunteers to keep our public lands available for you and wildlife.

Online Nature Store

You can show your support by purchasing items from our online Nature Store. Please email Mary Deschene, our Program Administrator, at mary.deschene@sfbayws.org to arrange a phone call and place an order over the phone. Please allow three (3) weeks for delivery. Access to our inventory is somewhat limited as it is on Refuge property.

Click here to support us with your purchase from our online Nature Store this #GivingTuesday.

Donate

Your support of our education, interpretation, and research activities is more important than ever. Any amount you’re willing to donate this #GivingTuesday will be greatly appreciated! Donations may be fully tax-deductible (EIN: 94-3039253).

Click here to support us with your charitable donation this #GivingTuesday.

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos: Create your own animal mask activity

Dia de los Muertos

Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives and friends for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 31st to November 2nd.

Download our activity to learn more about this important holiday, Salinas River NWR, and our local animal ancestors! And make your very own Dia de los Muertos animal mask!

Learn about animals at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Make your own animal masks using paper and crayons.

Celebrate Halloween: Get Spooky with a Nocturnal Landscape Drawing Activity

Nocturnal spooky landscape

Use your creativity to do a spooky, fun activity this weekend for Halloween or Dia de Los Muertos!

Nocturnal animals have amazing adaptations that make them unique (and naturally spooky)!

Learn about nocturnal animals at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Draw your own nocturnal landscape using chalk and nocturnal animal cutouts.

The Fall 2020 Issue of Tide Rising, our quarterly newsletter, is here

by Ceal Craig

Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2020

Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2020.

The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is happy to publish the third issue of its digital-only newsletter, Tide Rising: Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2020. This issue’s theme is Partnerships & Supporters.

In this issue:

  • On our second year of Tide Rising, we begin by spotlighting partnerships that make a difference on the Farallon Islands and Salinas River National Wildlife Refuges.
  • Read an exciting report on the Summer Camp 2020 delivered virtually.
  • Watershed Watchers describes long-term partnerships that have made this program alive and making a difference.
  • Both Friends groups columns this year focus on partners that helped them deliver programs to support the Refuge and the Complex.
  • The SFBWS staff have created a wonderful story activity about bees for young people.
  • People of note this quarter will say goodbye to some, welcome others, and reflect on how indigenous people influenced habitats and wildlife in earlier days.

Editors: Ceal Craig, PhD; Renee Fitzsimons
Contributors: Ceal Craig, Diane Kodama (USFWS), Francesca Demgen (Friends of San Pablo Bay), Renee Fitzsimons, Gerry McChesney (USFWS), Hope Presley, Rachel Caoili, Tracy Flor-Figueroa.

Thanks for reading!

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