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Botanical sleuths scour Mount Tamalpais
Photo by Rachel Gulbraa.
By Rachel Gumbraa — 05/16/12
Working off historical records of rare plant locations, plant "hunters" on Mount Tamalpais are scouring the mountain in search of the illusive Mason’s ceanothus shrub and other botanical novelties. The goal: update the location and numbers of California rare plants in the California Natural Diversity Database.
Bat Rays in San Francisco Bay
© 2012 Roger Hall, InkArt.com.
by Joe Eaton — 05/15/12
What’s the cutest fish in the sea? To some biologists, it’s the bat ray, which cruises along the floor of local bays and estuaries, chomping on clams and other creatures. Maybe it’s time to make bottom-feeder a term of endearment! Springtime is breeding time for these friendly fish.
Paddling to the sea
An interview with the paddle-a-thon's director
Interview by Paul Epstein — 05/14/12
Jessie Raeder was an energetic high school student when a bitter dispute erupted over the use of chemicals to eradicate pike in Lake Davis in favor of native trout. Nowadays she's director of Paddle to the Sea, a month long "paddle-a-thon" that begins in June and runs the length the 241-mile Tuolumne River from the Sierras to the San Francisco Bay. The goal: raise awareness and money for the river's benefactor, the Tuolumne River Trust.
For the love of mom
Photo by Rainey Shuler.
By Alison Hawkes — 05/11/12
Humans may be the only animals who celebrate Mother's Day. But there's no doubt that babies of other species are just as attached to their mamas, at least until they grow up. I like to think they also get a warm, fuzzy feeling when they think of the female who risked life and limb to bring them into the world and raise them fit enough to prosper. Happy Mother's Day to California mamas of all feathers and fur, fins and ... yes, even those with exoskeletons.
Daily Catch
Bay Area Nature News
- Day use fee to visit Sonoma beaches
05/16/12 The California State Parks Department is planning to charge a day-use fee for some Sonoma County beaches as a revenue generating measure. Officials want to charge $8 a day for parking at Goat Rock in Jenner, Bodega Head, Salt Point State Park and at several other beaches where access now is free. Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
- SF proposes $195 million parks bond
05/16/12 San Francisco's parks are being "loved to death," said the city's parks manager. Officials are proposing a $195 million bond to fund playground safety, water conservation, forestry and trail maintenance. Source: San Francisco Examiner.
- Can urban coyotes and dogs peacefully coexist?
05/16/12 San Francisco is struggling to find a way that will allow coyotes to coexist with people (and their dogs). Since first appearing in Golden Gate Park in 2004, coyotes have set off a debate about the kinds of protections the city should grant them. Source: New York Times.
- Sonoma asphalt plant challenged
05/14/12 Opponents are challenging the building of an asphalt plant and expansion of a quarry site next to a 5,000 acre Sonoma County ranch and Seabiscuit's former stomping ground. Source: Sonoma Press Democrat.
- China Camp supporters optimistic
05/14/12 Friends of China Camp is hopeful that it will meet the $250,000 fundraising goal needed to keep the state park open. The historic site in Marin has been on the state parks closure list since last year. Source: Marin Independent Journal.
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Featured Blog
Point Reyes Walkabout
Celebrating 50 Years, 154 Miles of Trails with Jules Evens
- An Easter morning hike in Point Reyes's Church of Nature
04/17/12 Hiking along Drakes Estero, Jules Evens meditates on eelgrass, sea geese, and the footprint of humanity in a wild place.
- Relishing the Fog at Point Reyes
04/12/12 On an overcast day after spring rains, Jules Evens encounters the expected--a banana slug in a lush Douglas fir forest--and the unexpected--a shrew-mole--on a 4-mile hike along Inverness Ridge as part of his Point Reyes Walkabout.
Featured Video
Off-leash dog harasses coyotes
San Francisco Animal Care and Control
After "not getting the message" about how to behave around coyotes, San Francisco Animal Care and Control released this video of an off-leash rottweiler confronting coyotes in Golden Gate Park. The city has closed off sections of trails this year in an effort to avoid confrontation with coyotes during pup season, when they are protecting their dens.
Events Calendar
Nature events from all over the Bay Area
San Rafael, May 17, 7 AM
Deer Island, Novato, CA, May 17, 8 AM
, May 17, 9 AM
, May 17, 9 AM
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Bay Area Food Landscapes
Did you know that more than 40% of the Bay Area is still covered in farms and ranchlands? Check out our landmark map of food producing areas from Sonoma to Santa Cruz, San Francisco to Solano.