Volume 23, No. 4

W I N T E R 0 3 - 0 4

By Bryan W. Lapine and Marguerite HillsFor the last issue of our Centennial Year

series of Tideline, it is fitting that we recognizethe people who have been valued partners of theNational Wildlife Refuge System over the pastone hundred years. They contribute to almostevery aspect of conservation work. They greetvisitors, maintain roads and trails, construct andmaintain facilities, conduct inventories, planttrees, and pull weeds. They work at nationalwildlife refuges and fish hatcheries, inenvironmental education centers, and in localschools. Some serve for a short while and othershave been with us for years. Without their work,we would be unable to provide the level of publicservice that we do. They are our volunteers.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’svolunteer program is robust and continues togrow. Last year alone, more than 37,000volunteers contributed in excess of 1.3 millionhours (or 650 human years) of their time, skills,and talents. With shared interests and commongoals, volunteers have been behind pastconservation successes and will only be moreessential in meeting the challenges of the future.

The National Wildlife Refuge System itselfwas born because Paul Kroegel, a dedicatedvolunteer, cared deeply about the birds on a smallisland off the coast of Florida. He witnessed theslaughter of these birds for their feathers to adornelaborate hats (at that time the plumes wereworth more than gold). He worked tirelessly tospread the word that these birds neededprotection.

Eventually, President Theodore Rooseveltheard about this special place and on March 14,

Volunteers and National WildlifeRefuges: Partners for the Future

1903, signed an executive order establishingPelican Island as the first federal bird sanctuary.This was the first time that the federalgovernment set aside land for the sake ofwildlife, which later became the NationalWildlife Refuge System.

The early partnerships between governmentand communities forged by conscientious citizenslike PaulKroegel werebuilt upon bysuccessivegenerations ofvolunteers. In1978, thepartnershipbetweenvolunteers andnational wildliferefuges wasfurtherexpanded by theFish and Wildlife Improvement Act. Thislegislation opened refuges to greater publicinvolvement and authorized the Secretary of theInterior to recruit and train volunteers.

Today, over twenty percent of all workperformed throughout the Refuge System is doneby volunteers. Volunteers have become valuedmembers of the refuge team and enthusiasticspokespeople for refuges in their communities.The service of volunteers has become anindispensable part of everyday refuge operations.

This certainly holds true throughout theseven refuges which comprise the San Francisco

Continued on page 2

Refuge volunteer AllenSprague leads Child BirdWalk at Don EdwardsSan Francisco BayNational Wildlife Refuge(Photo courtesy: AlvinDockter).

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Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Lastyear alone, volunteers contributed a total of22,205 hours throughout the Refuge Complex. Ifpaid the California minimum wage of $6.75 anhour, volunteers would have contributed $149,884 worth of time.

Each refuge has been fortunate to draw uponthe diverse talents of volunteers to accomplisheverything from surveys of endangered salt

marsh harvest mice toproviding logistical supportfor high profile events like theDrawbridge and Tramp andthe Roughrider centennialevents of this past year. “Ifyou think of every aspect ofthe refuge, there is avolunteer opportunity for thataspect,” says Deputy ProjectLeader Mike Parker. “Thevolunteer experience at ourrefuges has been mutuallyrewarding because whatever avolunteer’s skill or interest

might be, there is an opportunity to match it”.One example of volunteer contributions to

our refuges has been the Native Plant Nursery atthe Don Edwards Visitor Center in Fremont.From its humble beginnings in the yard of the oldDumbarton Bridge toll plaza building over adecade ago, the Native Plant Nursery was aproject initiated and operated by volunteers.Today, the Nursery has grown and expanded intoa full greenhouse, providing ready stocks ofCalifornia native plants for restoration projects onrefuges throughout the Complex.

In July of 2002, Nursery volunteers werecalled to action when wildfires at Antioch DunesNational Wildlife Refuge destroyed twenty acresof critical habitat for endangered species, namelythe Lange’s metalmark butterfly. Found nowhereelse in the world, the Lange’s metalmark relies onits host plant, the native naked stemmedbuckwheat, for food and shelter. The fires whichengulfed this critical habitat resulted in a markeddecrease in the butterfly population.

Biologists quickly assessed the situation andcoordinated with Nursery volunteers to grownative Antioch Dunes species, including nakedstemmed buckwheat, to re-vegetate the burnedareas. After the young plants were large enough,vanloads of refuge volunteers made their way outto Antioch Dunes and participated in the hands-on planting.

Today, the Nursery-grown plants are thriving

and the Lange’s metalmark has moved back intothe disturbed area. “The speed and efforts of theNative Plant Nursery allowed native plants to beplanted before invasive weeds could move intothe area and overtake the habitat,” notes RefugeBiologist Rachel Hurt. From sowing seeds anddaily watering to planting in the field, volunteersplayed a crucial role in protecting an endangeredspecies by restoring the unique habitat on whichit depends.

In addition to the plants used at AntiochDunes, the Nursery is also growing native plantspecies for restoration projects at Ellicott Sloughand Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuges. AtEllicott Slough, Nursery-grown native plants suchas coast live oak, California blackberry,coffeeberry, and sticky monkeyflower are beingplanted in areas where non-native eucalyptustrees have been removed. The native plants workto prevent invasive species from moving into thecleared areas.

Volunteers have also been activelycontributing to many infrastructuralimprovements throughout the Refuge Complex,including benches, carpentry work, a mulchcontainer built by Boy Scouts, a display case forthe Visitor Center in Fremont, roofing at MarinIslands, an Education Pavilion and amphitheaterused for field trip programs, and countless otherprojects.

Even in the least accessible refuge,volunteers have left their mark. In September of2000, a series of boardwalks was constructedover a stretch of Farallon National WildlifeRefuge. The original boardwalks weredeteriorating and threatening the sensitivewildlife habitat on the island. In a week’s time, agroup of four volunteers assembled 1,476 two-by-six foot boards of recycled plastic lumber intoeighteen boardwalks stretching over 800 feet inlength.

The boardwalks confine the foot traffic ofbiologists studying and protecting the wildlife tospecific areas, thereby limiting areas of humandisturbance. Many seabirds, such as rhinocerosand Cassin’s auklets, burrow and nest under rocksor boards for protection. Because the burrows areshallow and excavated in loose soil, they areespecially prone to collapsing from humandisturbance.

The volunteer-constructed boardwalks alsocreated wildlife habitat because auklets havebegun nesting under them. In the summer of2003, over one hundred burrows were countedunder or near the boardwalks.

Above: Volunteersplanting native plants atAntioch Dunes NationalWildlife Refuge(USFWS).

Volunteers and National Wildlife Refuges:

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TIDELINEPublished quarterly by Don Edwards San Francisco BayNational Wildlife Refuge, with funding from SanFrancisco Bay Wildlife Society.Volume 23, Number 4Editor: ................................................ Bryan W. Lapine

To receive Tideline via email or postal service, submit anaddress change, or other newsletter correspondenceemail carmen_leong-minch@fws.gov or write to:Tideline, P.O. Box 524, Newark, CA 94560-0524.

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge ComplexFounded in 1974 and administered by the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service, Don Edwards San Francisco BayNational Wildlife Refuge exists to preserve wildlifehabitat, protect threatened and endangered species,protect migratory birds, and provide opportunities fornature study. Six additional refuges are managed fromthe headquarters located in Fremont: San Pablo BayNWR, Antioch Dunes NWR, Salinas River NWR, EllicottSlough NWR, Marin Islands NWR, and Farallon NWR.

Project Leader: ......................................... Marge KolarDeputy Project Leader: .............................. Mike ParkerDon Edwards San FranciscoBay Refuge Manager: .............................. Clyde MorrisFarallon Refuge Manager: .......................... Joelle BuffaSan Pablo Bay Manager: ......................... Christy SmithSouth Bay Refuges Manager: .................. Ivette LoredoAntioch Dunes Refuge Manager: .............. Chris BandyChief of Visitor Services: ....................... Sandy SpakoffOutdoor Recreation Planner: ................ Carmen MinchEnvironmental Education Specialists:Fran McTamaney,

Genie Moore, Ken ClarksonLaw Enforcement Officers: ....................... Barry TarbetBiologists: ........................ Joelle Buffa, Joy Albertson,

Ivette Loredo, Diane Kodama, Giselle Downard,Rachel Hurt, Sally Reynolds, Gerry McChesney

Administrative Staff: .............. Sheila Blackman Baham,Ellen Tong

Maintenance Staff: .............. Juan Flores, James Griffin

San Francisco Bay Wildlife SocietyA nonprofit 501(c)(3) cooperating association estab-lished in 1987 to promote public awareness andappreciation of San Francisco Bay and fund educationand outreach programs at San Francisco Bay NationalWildlife Refuge Complex.

Board of DirectorsPresident: ................................................. Laura SharpVice President: ....................................... Jim FergusonTreasurer: .............................................. Bart AndersonSecretary: .................................................... Jed SomitDirectors: ................. Christopher Kitting, Sue Ten Eyck

StaffProgram Administrator: .......................... Sue Ten EyckInterpretive Specialist: ......................... Laurie McEwenEducation Specialist: .............................. Carrie Wright

Tideline is On-LineVisit our web site, which features past issues of Tideline,at http://desfbay.fws.gov

Volunteers also continue to be at theforefront of visitor services and outreach efforts.They design, prepare, and lead environmentaleducation programs, slide shows, guided walks,and interpretive programs. In this year alone,volunteers will have led nearly seventyindependent educational and interpretiveprograms including bird walks for children, atour of the Refuge bycanoe in the tidalsloughs of the marsh,and viewing thewonders of the night skyby telescope. Frommeeting and greeting thepublic to staffinginformation booths atoutreach events,volunteers actively workto increase the refugepresence in theircommunities.

While volunteersare contributing to ourrefuges more today thanever before, the needs and opportunities continueto become greater with each passing year. Theconservation challenges which face refuge staffcontinue to grow and volunteer opportunitiesonly increase.

At Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge,docents are needed to monitor and ensure theprotection of the threatened western snowyplover. A Native Plant Garden is gettingunderway at San Pablo Bay National WildlifeRefuge to increase restoration efforts in the NorthBay. And the Native Plant Nursery in Fremont is

looking for volunteers to help construct a newgreenhouse this winter. Volunteers are wanted forany contribution they would like to make. Thereare as many work projects as there are talents thatvolunteers bring.

National Wildlife Refuges need all thesupport that they can get. The future depends onvolunteers who will continue to play critical roles

in building communitysupport, encouragingpublic involvement inactivities, and helpingachieve the Fish andWildlife Service missionof working with othersto conserve, protect, andenhance fish, wildlife,and plants and theirhabitats for thecontinuing benefit of theAmerican people.

Paul Kroegel’s legacyhas continued. For thelast century, countlessvolunteers have helped

build and protect America’s network of wildplaces. Volunteers serve because they care. Theycare about fish, wildlife, plants, and the placesthey call home. They care about the future of lifeon earth.

On the cusp of the next Century ofConservation, we salute the accomplishments ofour volunteers and deeply appreciate their efforts.

For information about the volunteer programat the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife RefugeComplex or to become a volunteer, please contactthe Volunteer Coordinator at (510) 792-0222.

Bryan Lapine is theinterim VolunteerCoordinator at the SanFrancisco Bay NationalWildlife Refuge Complexand editor of Tideline. Hewas formerly the VisitorServices Intern for theComplex through theStudent ConservationAssociation InternshipProgram and a recentgraduate of John CarrollUniversity in Cleveland,Ohio.

Marguerite Hills is theVisitor Services ProgramSpecialist for the U.S.Fish and Wildlife ServicePacific Region. She wasformerly Refuge Managerof Cypress Creek NationalWildlife Refuge insouthern Illinois and hasserved at eight NationalWildlife Refuges includingSacramento, Salton Sea,and Hopper Mountain inCalifornia. She serves asregional coordinator forRefuge Support Groupsand Volunteers and assistrefuges with wildlife-oriented recreationprograms and othervisitor services.

Partners for the Future continued from page 1

Volunteers construct boardwalks at FarallonNational Wildlife Refuge (USFWS).

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News Flash * News Flash * News Flash * News Flash

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**Please respond if you wish to continue receiving Tideline.

San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society Members do not need to respond.Members will continue to receive a hard copy.

In an effort to reduce waste, postage, and time, Tideline is now availableelectronically in a pdf file. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded onto your

computer free of charge.

If you would like to continue receiving Tideline, please do one of the following:

1. Fill out the coupon below and mail it to:Tideline, P.O. Box 524, Newark, CA 94560

or

2. Email Carmen at carmen_leong-minch@fws.gov with your email addressand subject line “Tideline”

Thank you for helping the Refuge promote a healthy environment.

Yes, I would like to continue receiving Tideline!

■■ Please email me Tideline in a pdf file.My email address is: ___________________________________________________

■■ Please mail me Tideline via U.S. postal mail to:Name ________________________________________________________________Address ______________________________________________________________City _________________________________ State _______Zip__________________

Mail to: Tideline, P.O. Box 524, Newark, CA 94560

S a n F r a n c i s c o B a y N a t i o n a l W i l d l i f e R e f u g e s

5

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM 1903 - 2003

SAN PABLO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGEP.O. BOX 2012, MARE ISLAND, CA 94592

Join us at Building 505, Mare Island at SanPablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge!Explore Refuge trails on a self-guided walk to the edge of SanPablo Bay with spotting scope walks along the way, or sign up forguided tours to SPBNWR at Tolay Creek.

Meet the National Wildlife Refuge’s famous Blue Goose!on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. atBuildings 505 and 897.

Visit Festival Headquarters at Building 897for even more activities:• More than 50 exhibits including live animal visitors!• Slide and video presentations about migratory birds, wetland

restoration and habitat conservation.• Book Signing: America’s Wildlife Refuges by Jeanne Clark, hosted by

Wildlife Stewards.• Games and activities for children!• And much, much more!

For a detailed Flyway Festival brochure or for more information, call (707) 649-WING (9464) or visitwww.SFBayFlywayFestival.com.

Sponsored by: US Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Program, San Pablo Bay National WildlifeRefuge, other Bay Area environmental organizations, natural resources agencies and businesses.

THE E I G H T H A N N U A L

Friday, January 23 3 pm - 9 pmSaturday, January 24 9 am - 4 pmSunday, January 25 9 am - 3 pm

Birding and wetland walks allweekend at San Pablo Bay NationalWildlife Refuge and throughout theSan Francisco Bay Area.

Find out more about Refuge events and activities at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complexat http://desfbay.fws.gov.

F l y w a y F e s t i v a lJanua r y 23 - 25, 2004 Pp Mare I s l and , Ca l i f o rn i a

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y

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Thank You San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society Donors!

Help Us Help the RefugeMail your donation to: San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society, P.O. Box 524, Newark, CA 94560. You may also

fax your membership donation using a Visa or Mastercard number to (510) 792-5828.For a gift membership, call (510) 792-0222 x40 or visit our website at www.sfbws.orgSan Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which raises money and awareness for the

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

YES! I want to support San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society and its programs with my membership. My dues include asubscription to Tideline and 15% discount at the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge bookstore. Enclosed ismy contribution of:■■ $20 Student/Senior ■■ $45 Family ■■ $100 Participant ■■ $200 Corporation ■■ $500 Sustainer■■ $35 Individual ■■ $75 Supporter ■■ $250 Sponsor ■■ $1,000 Leader

■■ Check ■■ Visa or MasterCardCredit Card #______________________________________Exp. Date _______________

Signature_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________

City______________________________________________ State__________ Zip ________________________________

Phone _______________________________________________________________________Thank you for your support!

Senior/StudentDeanne Burke,Margaret D Harris, PaulKirichenko, James GMiguelgorry, SueRummer, Ed Snively

IndividualLeon M Abrams, DeborahS Adams, Richard RBlackburn, Sheila Byrne,Ora Dunn, Sue Ericsson,Nancy Fowler, KristiFrederick, BarbaraFriedrich, Judy Garvey,Nancy Godfrey, Eleanor SHansen, MargaretHartmann, Ken Himes,John Leahy, Susan V Lee,Victor McPherson,Roberta L Maloney, LeslieMasunaga, MarthaMorrell, Paula Mortensen,Clark Nakamura, RodgerT Reilly, Joyce GSiegling, Marjorie F

Smith, Robin Winslow Smith,Todd C Smith, HavenThompson, William KWarburton, Craig Williams, J.Lindsey Wolf, Marge E &Fred J Wood, DonnaYokomizo

FamilyJoseph & Susan Byrne,Darlene Ceremello et al.,Douglas & Lucille Danielsen,Dory Dixon, Patricia &Jackson Eaves, Charlotte SEpstein, Kenneth Gardiner,Hugh B Harvey, GraceHattori, Janet & Howard Hill,Liz McElligott, Peter & SueLaTourrette, Bruce Muirhead,Richard & Barbara Rawson,George & Jacqueline B Louis& Linda Rodriguez, TrudySawyer, Shirleymae & IgorSkaredoff, William & JoMarieStavosky, Greg & AdrienneStephens, Phillip Vallejo,

Stephen & Myrna Wilkerson.

SupporterDon Bennett, Timothy JBlackwood, Charles DCarroll, David & MarilynEpps, David Loeb, PamelaAlves Lorcuz, John &Deborah Lukas, KarenMcCreddin, GeorgannMeadows, T Charles& Meredith Moore,John & Nena Padley,Pamela Peterson (etStone), MyrnaSmith, Richard PSantos, ElenaShea, Jim& VernaSweet,Kenneth DWalter,Carl & TerryYordan

ParticipantBart Anderson, Kim Brink,Lynn R Davis, Martha AJohnson, LaurelPrzybylski, Douglas GSprague, Jens Steineke

SponsorSue Ten Eyck

We gratefully acknowledge the following donors who have made gifts to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society betweenJune 28 and October 24, 2003. These gifts will be used for capital, environmental education, habitat restoration, andinterpretive programs at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

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Clean-Up at Farallon NWR

Volunteers Jeb Boba(left) and Dave Stalthersused Farallon Railwaysto move the pipe inpreparation for removal.

By Jesse IrwinMany have heard of Farallon National Wildlife

Refuge’s diverse seabird and marine mammal life.However, few are aware of its storied history ofhuman occupation by the Lighthouse Service, U.S.Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard over the past 150years. Due to numerous shipwrecks, theLighthouse Service found it necessary to erect alighthouse to guide ships in the 1850s. The U.S.Navy had erected a manned radio station in 1905,and the U.S. Coast Guard took over thelightkeeping duties in 1939. In order to carry outtheir operations, the various agencies erected radiotowers, conduits, pipelines, and diesel tanks. Asthese systems corroded, the old materials weresimply left in place as new infrastructure wasinstalled. As a result, valuable wildlife habitat onthe island had been diminished.

However, wildlife habitat on Farallon NWR isimproving thanks to the U. S. Coast Guard. In aneffort spearheaded by Roy Clark of the CoastGuard’s Civil Engineering Unit and FarallonRefuge Manager Joelle Buffa, considerable debristhat remains from historical human occupation ofthe island is currently being removed.

Clean-up projects on the Farallons havecontinued to be an essential habitat managementtool since 1968. The dramatic reduction in theamount of human debris on the island will directlybenefit its wild inhabitants. For example, Cassin’sand rhinoceros auklets, seabirds that nest byburrowing into the soil, now have more areas thatwere once covered by cement available for nesting.Hazardous structures, such as a 650 square-footdiesel containment structure that has been known tooccasionally trap and drown birds, were alsoremoved this fall.

In early September, many of the oldinfrastructure components were removed throughthe hard work of Roy Clark, myself, and fivevolunteers. One of the main projects undertakenwas removing the expansive web of grounding wirefrom an old toppled radio tower. Pieces of wire thatwere above ground were cut into sections and rolledup, while underground pieces were left in place tominimize disturbance of Cassin’s and rhinocerosauklet burrows.

While part of the group worked on removingthis grounding array, others labored with powertools removing over 1,000 feet of abandonedpipeline. Using sawz-alls, mini-grinders, and aportable generator, the volunteers cut and movedthe various sizes of pipe in preparation for removalby helicopter.

Although the work was demanding, thevolunteers were rewarded by experiences unique tothe Farallons. Following the fresh lingcod dinnerthat I cooked for them, the Coast Guard volunteershelped biologists release some hoary bats that had

been captured for data collection. Shortly beforetheir departure, I led them into Rabbit Cave, one ofthe few places on the Farallons where there is nowind and no kelp flies. While none of the endemiccamel crickets were spotted, numerous burrowentrances of rhinoceros and Cassin’s auklets wereobserved. There are even artificial nest boxes placedfar back in the cave. Shortly after emerging from thecave it was time to journey home.

This work partywas a prelude to theCoast Guard-contracted clean-upwhich began onOctober 1, 2003.Brittan Constructionof Bakersfield wascontracted to removetwo 5,000 gallondiesel tanks, thetoppled radio towerand associatedconduit, an old waterline dangerouslyclose to falling into agulch, and the hugetimbers that formerly made up the North Landingderrick. All of the pipes to and from the dieseltanks, including the stainless pipe leading to theEast Landing was also removed.

What could be reused will remain on the islandfor other purposes. For example,straight sections of the stainlesspipe will be kept for future repairsof Farallon Railways - a rail lineused by biologists to transportmaterials without damagingsensitive habitat. The cementcradle that supported the dieseltanks will also be re-used. Thesmashed pieces of cement from itwill be recycled and used to expandhabitat for a small, but growingnew colony of common murres.

These are some of the manysteps being taken to dramaticallyreduce the amount of human debrison the island for the benefit ofwildlife. Refuge staff, Point Reyes BirdObservatory personnel, and volunteers will continueto improve wildlife habitat through these clean-upprojects in the many months to come. Thanks inlarge part to Joelle for pushing projects ahead andRoy for wading through the Coast Guard system,the Refuge is looking less like a military facility andmore like wildlife habitat.

Jesse Irwin is the Refuge Operations Specialistfor Farallon National Wildlife Refuge.

Cassin’s Auklet found onFarallon NWR (MikeParker, USFWS).

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Presentation of “FarallonIsland Day” proclamationto Refuge Manager JoelleBuffa (Courtesy: BobWilson).

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife RefugeAntioch Dunes NWR has had a great year.

The three endangered species found at Antioch,Lange’s metalmark butterfly, Antioch Dunesevening primrose, and Contra Costa wallflower,have all increased in population size. We attributethe success to the immense amount of weedingdone by staff, interns, and volunteers (Thank youall!!!), as well as the lack of wildfires in 2003(which in the near past have destroyed someprime butterfly habitat).

We also celebrated the Centennial of theNational Wildlife Refuge System by leadingweekend tours for 353 people of all ages andbackgrounds. Each tour was coordinated with thepeak count of each of the three endangeredspecies: April to see blooming wallflower, May tosee blooming primrose, and August to see theLange’s in flight. The turnout was well above ourexpectations, with visitors from as far away asReno and Arcata!

Don Edwards San Francisco BayNational Wildlife Refuge

California clapper rail airboat surveys beganthe last week of November and another round isscheduled for the end of December. Refugebiologists and interns are also busy setting upvegetation transects throughout LaRiviere marsh

to observe how the marsh develops overtime. In the future, samples will betaken at intervals to record vegetationcoverage and types of species. Refugestaff is continuing efforts to eradicateexotic cordgrass which overtakes nativespecies and alters the habitat. In thelong-term, Refuge biologists are workingclosely with the California State CoastalConservancy and its partners to finalize aBay-wide plan to manage invasivecordgrass.Several construction and renovation arealso underway and should be completedby the end of the year.

Ellicott Slough NationalWildlife RefugeWork crews are finishing clearing a oneacre site where non-native eucalyptustrees were fallen earlier this year.

Eucalyptus trees are invasive, often formingdense stands such as at this project site. Theendangered Santa Cruz long-toed salamanderdoes not use eucalyptus groves as habitat, and ingeneral eucalyptus provide poor quality habitatfor native wildlife. The project area will

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y N A T I O N A L

RefugeDispatches

eventually be planted with native vegetation suchas coast live oak, coffeeberry, Californiablackberry, and sticky monkeyflower.

Farallon National Wildlife RefugeThe Refuge System turned one hundred years

old this year, but that’s barely a teenagercompared to a birthday recently celebrated at theFarallon National Wildlife Refuge. 2003 markedthe 400th anniversary of the naming of theseislands by Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino,who named them, “Los Farallones de LosFrayles,” - thePromontories of theFriars. Aproclamation, signedby Mayor WillieBrown of SanFrancisco,proclaimed August15th as “FarallonIsland Day”.Dignitaries from theCalifornia StateLegislature, themedia, andgovernment agenciesincluding the Environmental Protection Agencyand California Coastal Commission recreated aportion of the explorer’s trip on August 15 in aboat that left San Francisco and circumnavigatedthe South Farallon Islands, 28 miles west of thewest of the Golden Gate Bridge. The event wasorganized by the Gulf of the Farallones NationalMarine Sanctuary and the California HeritageCouncil. Since the Refuge has no dockingfacilities, and is closed to public visitation toprotect sensitive wildlife habitat, the group couldnot tour the island. Instead, Refuge ManagerJoelle Buffa boarded the boat and regaled theseafarers with tales of island wildlife and dailylife on the island.

Marin Islands National Wildlife RefugeThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has teamed upwith Save the Bay and the California Departmentof Fish and Game to develop and implement aplan to enhance and restore native plants on theislands. Planning is currently underway. Alsothis winter, the Refuge will be continuing itspartnership with Save the Bay’s Discover the Bayprogram. Save the Bay volunteers kayak to theislands and help in restoration efforts such asweeding, collecting seeds, planting native plants,

“Before” and “During”pictures of the Eucalyptusremoval project at EllicottSlough NWR (IvetteLoredo, USFWS).

Refuge Intern MichelleGiolli taking vegetationmeasurements in themarshes of Don EdwardsSan Francisco Bay NWR(Photo: Joy Albertson,USFWS).

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NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM 1903 - 2003

Thank you to all who helped make the National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial year a spectacularsuccess! From the Time Capsule Ceremony to the Tramp and the Roughrider, to the DrawbridgeRevisited – A Salt Marsh to be Restored events, the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge wouldlike to thank all our hard-working volunteers and the following:

C E L E B R A T I N G A C E N T U R Y O F C O N S E R V A T I O N

W I L D L I F E R E F U G E C O M P L E X

RefugeDispatches

and cleanup efforts on the islands. For moreinformation, visit www.savesfbay.org/discover.html.

In other news, Connie Peabody, a member ofthe Crowley family who once owned the MarinIslands, will be meeting with Refuge staff to helpdocument the human history of the island. Oneinteresting tidbit: stone from a quarry on the eastside of the island was used in the originalconstruction of San Quentin prison.

Salinas River National Wildlife RefugeThe snowy plover breeding season is now

over and the refuge had a record year! Therewere forty-eight nests total on the refuge with atleast thirty-five chicks fledged. This beats lastyear’s totals of thirty-six nests and sixteen chicksfledged and 2001’s totals of twenty-six nests andthirty-two chicks.

San Pablo Bay National WildlifeRefuge

There are two ongoing restoration projectsunderway at the San Pablo Refuge. In the lastseveral years, levees were breached in the TolayCreek and Tubbs Setback units of the Refuge,returning these areas to tidal action. Both sitesare developing well. Native plants are colonizingthe areas and great numbers of waterfowl andshorebirds have been observed. Restorationplanning is also taking place for 1,500 acres ofCullinan Ranch. U.S. Fish and Wildlife and U.S.Geological Survey staff are currently monitoringbirds, mammals, fish, plants, sediments, andelevations. Other biological surveys scheduled totake place include Estuary-wide waterfowlsurveys this January and California clapper rail

Refuge Dispatches contributors: Rachel Hurt, Joy Albertson,Michelle Giolli, Bryan Lapine, Jen Collier, Ivette Loredo,Joelle Buffa, Giselle Downard, and Taryn West.

Save the Bay volunteerskayaking to Marin IslandsNWR to help withrestoration efforts(Courtesty: Save the Bay).

surveys in the spring.In Environmental Education news, the San

Pablo Bay Refuge field trip program has wrappedup for the fall season. This year’s field trips havenearly doubled the number of school groupscoming out to the Refuge from the previous year.Finally, the Eighth Annual Flyway Festival willtake place January 23rd - 25th (see page 4 fordetails).

Proposed Alameda National WildlifeRefuge

California least terns and California brownpelicans have remained at Alameda to breed androost, respectively, for another year. In 2003, theAlameda colony ofCalifornia least ternsexperienced an increasein breeding pairs andhad a high chickhatching rate, howeveronly an estimated 178fledglings wereproduced. This winterwe will be expandingthe colony fence toaccommodate the increasing colony size. Thebrown pelicans and harbor seals will have extraprotection from now on thanks to the Friends ofAlameda Wildlife Refuge (FAWR), whograciously donated three signs to be posted onBreakwater Island.

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Winter Activities Scheduleat Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

http://desfbay.fws.govFor information and reservations, phone between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. For directions, see page 16

Visitor Center, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont (510) 792-0222Environmental Education Center, 1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso, (408) 262-5513

DecemberWatershed Diorama DemonstrationsEnvironmental Education Center, AlvisoEvery Sunday in December1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Have you been thinking about stopping by theEducation Center for an activity, but thescheduling never seems to work out? Well, dropin any Sunday afternoon this winter for a hands-on demonstration of our amazingly detailed andfunctioning South Bay watershed diorama. It issure to dazzle and educate visitors of all ages.Learn what a watershed is and see howimportant our actions are towards maintaininghealthy South Bay habitats! All ages welcome.

Saturday, December 6Tiny TracksVisitor Center, Fremont10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.Calling all trackers! Who left that footprint?Where did the fox go? What did the owl eat fordinner? Why is that scat there? Come make afield guide to take home and go take a hike atthe Refuge to find answers to these mysteries.See the Refuge through new eyes as we exploretracks, trails, pellets, and poop. Geared towardages 5-12. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call510-792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Ken Clarkson.

Sunday, December 7Marsh Mud ManiaEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.What’s that wiggling and squiggling? Think thatbrown stuff is just mud? Think again!!! Cometake a slough hike, collect some ooey-gooeymud, and discover which critters the birds findduring a low-tide feast. We’ll also compare mudcreatures from two different habitats to see whatthey can tell us about the health of these muddyhomes. Reservations required, call 408-262-5513 x104.

Saturday, December 13Community Service DayEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Calling all high school students looking to fulfillcommunity service requirements, Scout groupslooking to earn a service badge, and anyone elsewho just wants to pitch in at a one time Refugeproject. Come out to fight non-native plants inthe EEC’s habitats. Bring gardening gloves ifpossible. A few pairs are available for loan. Longpants and long sleeve shirts are recommendedbut not required. Recommended for ages 9 andup. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED with LaurieMcEwen at 408-262-5513 x 102.

Holiday Scavenger HuntEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Where are those gifts? Come search out thehidden gifts all around the Refuge and find outabout the habitats, all at the same time! Youmight even get to take your own gift home toremember the Refuge. Please let us know ifyou’re coming, call 408-262-5513 x 102. Greatfor all ages. Led by Laurie McEwen.

Twilight Marsh WalkVisitor Center, Fremont4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Experience the salt marsh at twilight on an easystroll along Tidelands Trail (1 1/3 miles). At thesetting of the sun we will observe the beginningof nature’s night shift. Come discover the sights,sounds, and smells of the Refuge as nightdescends. Not suitable for young children.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.Call (510) 792-0222ext. 43. Led by Mary and Gene Bobik.

Night SkiesVisitor Center Parking Lot, Fremont5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Observe the stars from the San Francisco BayRefuge. Learn a couple of constellations and starnames and view a star cluster through atelescope. Great fun for the whole family.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Ralph Libby.

Sunday, December 14Holiday Water ArtEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.Take an artistic break from holiday errands.Create different crafts related to water to takehome for your own, or give to a friend for aholiday gift. Make a shark print, or a crayon resistunderwater scene. Optional half-hour trailexploration at 1:30 p.m. Call Laurie McEwen at408-262-5513 x 102 to join the fun.

Botanical WanderingsVisitor Center, Fremont2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Discover the diverse winter habitats from thehilltops to the marsh. Use our free plant list tohelp identify the great variety of plants that strivein this unique urban refuge. Bring binoculars toget a better look at birds and animals we mayencounter on the trail, or borrow a pair of ours.Led by Alvin Dockter.

Saturday, December 20Decorating for the Birds!Environmental Education Center, Alviso12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.Holidays are approaching! Come explore someideas for making this a happy holiday seasonfor your neighborhood birds while decoratingyour house for the season. All materialsprovided. Reservations recommended, call 408-262-5513 x 102. Led by Laurie McEwen.

Sunday, December 21Slough Whoo?Environmental Education Center, Alviso10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Whoo...whoo..whoo did that owl eat? Bet youcan find out! Come solve the mystery of whoate whom and learn a bit about these nocturnalpredators. We will hike the habitats, search forowl clues, and get a chance to dissect owl pellets,discovering exactly who that owl ate!Reservations required, call 408-262-5513 x104.

ATTENTION! The Visitor Center inFremont may be under construction thiswinter. Some programs are subject tocancellation. Please call (510) 792-

0222 for program information.

NOTICE: The Environmental EducationCenter will be closed the following daysthis winter: December 26, December 27

and January 2.

11

http://desfbay.fws.govFor information and reservations, phone between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. For directions, see page 16

Visitor Center, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont (510) 792-0222Environmental Education Center, 1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso, (408) 262-5513

Winter Activities Scheduleat Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Twilight Solstice WalkEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Come celebrate the longest night of the year andfind out what comes out in the marsh as thesun goes down. Do you know why thesecreatures come out at night? Come find out onthis leisurely evening stroll. Suitable for all ages.Reservations recommended, please call LaurieMcEwen at 408-262-5513 x 102 to make areservation.

Saturday, December 27Family Bird WalkVisitor Center, Fremont10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Let family walks become a shared time of naturelearning. We’ll begin by helping kids create theirpersonal bird watching field guides, and thenhead out onto the trails to find those birds. Learnabout the salt marsh habitat along the way. Alimited number of binoculars are available toborrow. Recommended for children ages 5-10.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Eileen McLaughlin.

Sunday, December 28Water WizardsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.Don’t sit at home being bored, come play withthe magic water jar! Or how about waterfireworks displays? Water does some WEIRDthings! Come find out why as you play andexperiment with water games that will dazzleyour friends. Geared for ages 7 and up. Spaceis limited. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, callLaurie McEwen at 408-262-5513 x 102.

Monday, December 29Making Tracks with the Blue GooseEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Can you find the Blue Goose? Does it really exist?Follow the animal tracks wherever they may lead (findout what animals left the tracks), and put together allthe clues they leave behind. If you can solve themystery, you’ll discover who the Blue Goose is, andyou might even catch a glimpse of one. After the chaseis over, remember all the tracks you learned by makinga track scarf to take home with you. Geared for childrenages 7 to 10. Minimum of 5 children needed.Reservations recommended with Laurie McEwen at408-262-5513 x 102.

JanuaryWatershed Diorama DemonstrationsEnvironmental Education Center, AlvisoEvery Sunday in January1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Have you been thinking about stopping by theEducation Center for an activity, but thescheduling never seems to work out? Well, dropin any Sunday afternoon this winter for a hands-on demonstration of our amazingly detailed andfunctioning South Bay watershed diorama. It issure to dazzle and educate visitors of all ages.Learn what a watershed is and see howimportant our actions are towards maintaininghealthy South Bay habitats! All ages welcome.

Saturday, January 3Refuge ResolutionsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.A new year has begun! Come out for aninvigorating stroll around the Refuge, dresswarmly. Learn about Refuge history, where theRefuge is now, and where it’s going in the future.Bring binoculars or borrow ours! Suitable forall ages. Led by Laurie McEwen.

Sunday, January 4Avian AnticsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.Join us at the Refuge as we explore the trailsand attend a low tide feast. Learn a little birdtrivia along the way, like why some birds eat theirown feathers or which Refuge bird finds a matefor life? Bring your own binoculars, or borrow apair of ours! Reservations required, call 408-262-5513 x104. Subject to cancellation due toweather.

Saturday, January 10Community Service DayEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Calling all high schoolstudents looking to fulfillcommunity service requirements, Scout groupslooking to earn a service badge, and anyone elsewho just wants to pitch in at a one time Refugeproject. Come out to plant new natives or wagewar on invasive exotics in the EEC’s habitats.Bring gardening gloves if possible. A few pairs

are available for loan. Long pants and long sleeveshirts are recommended but not required.Recommended for ages 9 and up. RESER-VATIONS REQUIRED with Laurie McEwen at408-262-5513 x 102.

Gardening for the BirdsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Winter is in full swing! That means birds aresearching high and low for food and safe havensaround the Bay Area. How can you play a role inproviding habitat for migrating and winteringbirds? Take a look at some good plants for BayArea gardens that not only attract birds andbeauty to your garden, but do not requirewatering. Led by Laurie McEwen.

Botanical WanderingsVisitor Center, Fremont2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Discover the diverse winter habitats from thehilltops to the marsh. Use our free plant list tohelp identify the great variety of plants that strivein this unique urban refuge. Bring binoculars toget a better look at birds and animals we mayencounter on the trail, or borrow a pair of ours.Led by Alvin Dockter.

Saturday, January 17Sunset Marsh WalkEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Long work week? Come wind down with anevening at the Refuge. Start off at 4:00 p.m. witha twilight walk around our trails. Experience acompletely different environment as the sungoes down and the night creatures come out.Finish off the evening with coffee and hotchocolate inside. Dress warmly, and call aheadin the event of rain, 408-262-5513 x 102. Ledby Laurie McEwen.

Twilight Marsh WalkVisitor Center, Fremont4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Experience the salt marsh at twilight on an easystroll along Tidelands Trail (1 1/3 miles). At thesetting of the sun we will observe the beginningof nature’s night shift. Come discover the sights,sounds, and smells of the Refuge as nightdescends. Not suitable for young children.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Mary and Gene Bobik.

12

Winter Activities Scheduleat Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

http://desfbay.fws.govFor information and reservations, phone between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. For directions, see page 16

Visitor Center, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont (510) 792-0222Environmental Education Center, 1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso, (408) 262-5513

Saturday, January 17Night SkiesVisitor Center Parking Lot, Fremont5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Observe the stars from the San Francisco BayRefuge. Learn a couple of constellations and starnames and view a star cluster through atelescope. Great fun for the whole family.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Ralph Libby.

Sunday, January 18Salinity SleuthsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Step into the shoes of a scientist and strap onour field detective packs for a hands oninvestigation where we will collect watersamples, use plant clues, and do some sleuthingaround to answer the question “How salty is it?”You will need to bring along keen senses of taste,smell and sight to determine which plants andanimals live in the Refuge’s salty habitats!Reservations required, call 408-262-5513 x104.

8th Annual Flyway Festival onMare Island, Vallejo, January 23-25,

see page 4 for details.

Saturday, January 24Family Bird WalkVisitor Center, Fremont10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Let family walks become a shared time of naturelearning. We’ll begin by helping kids create theirpersonal bird watching field guides, and thenhead out onto the trails to find those birds. Learnabout the salt marsh habitat along the way. Alimited number of binoculars are available toborrow. Recommended for children ages 5-10.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Eileen McLaughlin.

Beginning BirdwatchingEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s....well, it’s a bird. Butwhat kind of bird is it? Come find out, and makeyour very own bird book so you can alwaysremember. Dress warmly, bring binoculars orborrow ours and wear sturdy walking shoes.Great for ages 5 and up. Please call ahead sowe’ll know you’re coming, 408-262-5513 x 102.Led by Laurie McEwen.

Sunday, January 25Making Tracks with the Blue GooseEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.Can you find the Blue Goose? Does it really exist?Follow the animal tracks wherever they may lead,find out what animals left the tracks, and puttogether all the clues they leave behind. If youcan solve the mystery, you’ll discover who theBlue Goose is, and you might even catch aglimpse of one. After the chase is over,remember all the tracks you learned by makinga track scarf to take home with you. Geared forchildren ages 7 to 10. Minimum of 5 childrenneeded. Reservations recommended with LaurieMcEwen at 408-262-5513 x 102.

Quacky’s Quirky AdventurePuppet ShowEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.Who’s Quacky? What happened to him? Firstexplore Quacky’s home in a brief nature walk,and then come back to the Center to warm up.Grab a mug of hot chocolate and a bag ofpopcorn. Then sit down to watch Quacky’s questto save his home, and learn about our role inhelping him. Wear sturdy walking shoes andcome prepared to explore. If you’d like, bringyour favorite blanket or pillow to use during thepuppet show. Please let us know you’re coming,call 408-262-5513 x 102. Led by Laurie McEwen.

Saturday, January 31Gardening for the BirdsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Winter is in full swing! That means birds aresearching high and low for safe havens aroundthe Bay Area. How can you play a role inproviding habitat for migrating and winteringbirds? Take a look at some good plants for BayArea gardens that not only attract birds and addbeauty to your garden, but do not requirewatering. Led by Laurie McEwen.

FebruaryWatershed Diorama DemonstrationsEnvironmental Education Center, AlvisoEvery Sunday in February1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Have you been thinking about stopping by theEducation Center for an activity, but thescheduling never seems to work out? Well, dropin any Sunday afternoon this winter for a hands-on demonstration of our amazingly detailed andfunctioning South Bay watershed diorama. It issure to dazzle and educate visitors of all ages.Learn what a watershed is and see howimportant our actions are towards maintaininghealthy South Bay habitats! All ages welcome.

Sunday, February 1Community Service DayEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Calling all high schoolstudents looking to fulfillcommunity service requirements, Scout groupslooking to earn a service badge, and anyone elsewho just wants to pitch in at a one time Refugeproject. Come out to plant new natives or wagewar on invasive exotics in the EEC’s habitats.Bring gardening gloves if possible. A few pairsare available for loan. Long pants and long sleeveshirts are recommended but not required.Recommended for ages 9 and up. RESER-VATIONS REQUIRED with Laurie McEwen at408-262-5513 x 102.

Habitat HikeEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Ever wonder how many habitats are here at theRefuge? Come take a walk and see them all! Seethe salt marsh, sloughs, salt ponds and moreon our short and easy trek! We will look at andtry to identify plants, birds, and whatever otheranimals we see and learn how people haveaffected their habitat. Reservations required, call408-262-5513 ext 104 to make a reservation.

Saturday, February 7Botanical WanderingsVisitor Center, Fremont2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Discover the diverse winter habitats from thehilltops to the marsh. Use our free plant list to

ATTENTION! The Visitor Center inFremont may be under construction thiswinter. Some programs are subject tocancellation. Please call (510) 792-

0222 for program information.

13

Winter Activities Scheduleat Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

http://desfbay.fws.govFor information and reservations, phone between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. For directions, see page 16

Visitor Center, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont (510) 792-0222Environmental Education Center, 1751 Grand Blvd., Alviso, (408) 262-5513

help identify the great variety of plants that strivein this unique urban refuge. Bring binoculars toget a better look at birds and animals we mayencounter on the trail, or borrow a pair of ours.Led by Alvin Dockter.

Sunday, February 8Beginning “Duckwatching” for KidsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Quack! Can’t tell a mallard from a shoveler?How about a bufflehead? ’Tis the season forspotting ducks. Make your very own duckidentification book to take home, and then goout and find as many ducks as you can. Thisprogram will operate rain or shine. Come out inwarm clothes and good walking shoes. Bringbinoculars or borrow ours. Spotting scope willbe used for viewing from our tower.Recommended for kids age 5 and up. Pack alunch or get a quick bite at a local restaurantand join us for Water Wizards at 12:30pm. Pleasecall ahead to let us know you’re coming, 408-262-5513 x 102. Led by Peg Bernucci.

A Ghost Town in San Francisco Bay?Visitor Center, Fremont2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.That’s right! On Station Island nestled in the saltmarshes of south San Francisco Bay, the townof Drawbridge once boomed. Was it a quiet,peaceful community of nature lovers, or a rip-roaring gang of two-fisted rowdies? Excellentslide show and presentation. Led by Pat Anthony.

Saturday, February 14Salt Marsh HeartsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.What makes a salt marsh tick? What’s the heartof the marsh? Come find out on this introductorymarsh walk. Then return to the building to makea marsh valentine. Geared for ages 6 and up.Call to let us know you’re coming, 408-262-5513x 102. Led by Laurie McEwen.

Sunday, February 15Critter CaféEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Mud and water are pretty boring stuff, right?No way! Come take a closer look at some of thetiny, wiggly, squiggly creatures we’ll find in

samples of mud and water from marshes at theDon Edwards San Francisco Bay NationalWildlife Refuge. Learn about macro invertebratesand plankton – the tasty treats that shorebirdsare eating at our five-star marsh ‘cafes’ at theRefuge. Reservations required, call 408-262-5513 ext 104 to make a reservation.

Saturday, February 21Twilight Marsh WalkVisitor Center, Fremont4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.Experience the salt marsh at twilight on an easystroll along Tidelands Trail (1 1/3 miles). At thesetting of the sun we will observe the beginningof nature’s night shift. Come discover the sights,sounds, and smells of the Refuge as nightdescends. Not suitable for young children.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Mary and Gene Bobik.

Night SkiesVisitor Center Parking Lot, Fremont6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.Observe the stars from the San Francisco BayRefuge. Learn a couple of constellations and starnames and view a star cluster through atelescope. Great fun for the whole family.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Call (510) 792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Ralph Libby.

Sunday, February 22Water WizardsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso12:30 p.m. - 1:30pmDon’t sit at home being bored... come play withthe magic water jar! Or how about waterfireworks displays? Water does some WEIRDthings! Come find out why as you play andexperiment with water games that will dazzleyour friends. Geared for ages 7 and up. Spaceis limited.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED withLaurie McEwen at 408-262-5513 x 102.

Saturday, February 28Tiny TracksVisitor Center, Fremont10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.Calling all trackers! Who left that footprint?Where did the fox go? What did the owl eat fordinner? Why is that scat there? Come make afield guide to take home and go take a hike atthe Refuge to find answers to these mysteries.

See the Refuge through new eyes as we exploretracks, trails, pellets, and poop. Geared towardages 5-12. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call510-792-0222 ext. 43.

Community Service DayEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Calling all high schoolstudents looking to fulfillcommunity service requirements, Scout groupslooking to earn a service badge, and anyone elsewho just wants to pitch in at a one time Refugeproject. Come out to plant new natives or wagewar on invasive exotics in the EEC’s habitats.Bring gardening gloves if possible. A few pairsare available for loan. Long pants and long sleeveshirts are recommended but not required.Recommended for ages 9 and up. RESER-VATIONS REQUIRED with Laurie McEwen at408-262-5513 x 102.

Sunday, February 29Slough Whoo?Environmental Education Center, Alviso1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Whoo...whoo..whoo did that owl eat? Bet youcan find out! Come solve the mystery of whoate whom and learn a bit about these nocturnalpredators. We will hike the habitats, search forowl clues, and get a chance to dissect owl pellets,discovering exactly who that owl ate!Reservations required, call 408-262-5513 ext.104 to make a reservation.

Gardening for the BirdsEnvironmental Education Center, Alviso2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.It’s Leap Year! Use this extra day to goodadvantage. Learn how you can play a role inproviding habitat for migrating and winteringbirds. Spring is just around the corner. Thatmeans birds are searching high and low for safehavens around the Bay Area. Take a look at somegood plants for Bay area gardens that not onlyattract birds and add beauty to your garden, butdo not require watering. Led by Laurie McEwen.

ATTENTION! The Visitor Center inFremont may be under construction thiswinter. Some programs are subject tocancellation. Please call (510) 792-

0222 for program information.

14

Field Trips to the RefugeGeneral Field Trip ProgramInformation

We offer FREE field trip programs at both Don EdwardsSan Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the South Bayand San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the North Bay.These programs actively involve teachers, adult volunteers, andstudents in investigating the diverse habitats and wildlife of theRefuges. The hands-on, small-group activities are designed toteach basic ecological concepts and to introduce endangeredspecies, migratory birds, and wetland habitats to the students.All programs have been correlated to the appropriate State ofCalifornia Education Standards.

Educators and Youth Group Leaders conduct their ownfield trips after attending a Field Trip Orientation Workshop.The Orientation Workshops provide the information you needto design and conduct your own field trip. In addition, adultvolunteers must be recruited to lead the activities at thedifferent learning stations and to chaperone the rotation groupsof students. We provide easy to follow “scripts” for eachstation, but both “leaders” and “chaperones” are stronglyencouraged to attend a Field Trip Orientation Workshop.

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NationalWildlife RefugeThe Refuge offers field trip programs at both our Visitor Centerin Fremont and Environmental Education Center in Alviso.

Field Trips at theVisitor Center in FremontEducators and Youth Group Leaders:

Investigate creatures of the mud flats, the plankton andother creatures in the slough, and the pickleweed in the saltmarsh on the Wetland Round-Up Field Trip. This field trip isdesigned for grades K-6, for up to 65 students. Wetland Round-up is offered Monday - Friday.

Trek the 1 mile Tidelands Trail, and learn about the naturalhistory of the Refuge! Then explore the pickleweed in the saltmarsh, the brine shrimp in the salt pond, and the plankton in theslough!! Available only at the Visitor Center in Fremont,Trekking the Refuge Field Trip is designed for grades 3-6, forup to 36 students. Trekking the Refuge is offered 7 days aweek.

Sign up for Wetland Round-Up Field Trips andTrekking the Refuge Field Trips at the Visitor Center forSpring 2004 (February - June). Field Reservations beginMonday, December 8, 2003 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fieldtrips will begin the week of February 9, 2004. Call KenClarkson, Environmental Education Specialist, at 510-792-0222 ext 36, to reserve a date for your field trip at the VisitorCenter this spring! For more information call Ken, or emailhim at ken_clarkson@fws.gov.

Field Trip Orientation Dates at the VisitorCenter in FremontAttention Educators and Youth Group Leaders: Call to reservea place for yourself and any interested adult volunteersplanning to lead activities on your field trip. It is our policy thatyou must attend every 2 years. Call the education staff at 510-792-0222.

Wetland Round-Up Field Trip Orientations at the VisitorCenter in FremontWeekdays, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Thursday, February 5, 2004Thursday, March 4, 2004Tuesday, March 23, 2004Thursday, April 8, 2004Thursday, April 29, 2004Thursday, May 13, 2004

Trekking the Refuge FieldTrip Orientations at theVisitor Center in FremontWeekdays, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00p.m.; Weekends, 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.Saturday, February 21, 2004Saturday, March 13, 2004Thursday, April 15, 2004Thursday, May 6, 2004

Field Trips at the EnvironmentalEducation Center in AlvisoEducators and Youth Group Leaders:Wetland Round- Up Field Trips

Investigate the butterflies in the butterfly garden, tastepickleweed in the salt marsh, or discover the creatures that livein the slough water on a Wetland Round-Up Field Trip. Thisfield trip program is designed for up to 65 students in grades K-6.Sign up for a Wetland Round Up Field Trip this Spring(February - June). Field trip reservations begin Monday,December 8, 2003 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Field trips willbegin the week of February 9, 2004. Call Genie Moore at 408-262-5513 ext 100, to reserve a date for your field trip at theEnvironmental Education Center in Alviso this spring! Formore information call Genie, or email her atgenie_moore@fws.gov.

The Slow the Flow ProgramSlow the Flow is an environmental education program

offered at no cost through the cooperating efforts of the City ofSan Jose, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the San FranciscoBay Wildlife Society. The program offers:

Field trips at the RefugeField trip orientation workshop at the Refuge

PASS IT ON!! Pleasehelp us spread the wordabout our FREE, fun,and educational fieldtrip programs!! If youknow a teacher thatwould be interested inthese programs pleasepass on your copy ofTideline or have themgive us a call for moreinformation!! Thankyou for your help!

15

Classroom presentationsOutreach presentationsPrograms are geared for 5th - 12th grades, although a

modified field trip is available for college groups. Educatorsare also encouraged to contact us to discuss options forcustomizing field trip and presentation activities and schedules.Slow the Flow programs are available to educators and groupslocated in San Jose, Alviso, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Saratoga,Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Campbell, and Cupertino.

Slow the Flow provides an experiential learningenvironment for students and educators to explore the topics ofwater use, wastewater treatment, and habitat preservation.Activities and presentations focus on the relationship betweenpersonal habits and their effects on local habitats.

Reservations for the Slow the Flow program are on afirst come, first served basis. To schedule a field trip, apresentation, to sign up for a field trip orientationworkshop, or for more information, please call CarrieWright at (408) 262-5513 ext 104 or email her atsfbay_slowflow@yahoo.com.

Field Trip Orientation Workshop Dates atthe Environmental Education Center inAlviso

Attention Educators and Youth Group Leaders: Call toreserve a place for yourself and any interested adult volunteersplanning to lead activities on your field trip. It is our policythat you must attend every 2 years. Call the education staff at408-262-5513.

Wetland Round-Up Field Trip Orientation WorkshopsWeekdays, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Tuesday, February 10, 2004Wednesday, March 3, 2004Thursday, March 25, 2004Wednesday, April 7, 2004Tuesday, April 27, 2004Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Slow the Flow Field Trip Orientation WorkshopsWeekdays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.Field Trip Orientations are scheduled on an as needed basis

Environmental Education Programs atSan Pablo Bay NWR

In the Marsh on Mare Island is a FREE educator-led fieldtrip program for grades K-12, for up to 40 students. Studentsparticipate in a variety of hands-on activities which teach themabout the different habitats and wildlife found in the North Bay.

In order to come on a field trip to the Refuge, teachersmust attend one of our teacher orientation workshops. Theseworkshops provide the educator with the information needed tohave a successful field trip.

Field Trips to the RefugeIn the Marsh on Mare Island Field Trip Orientation Workshopsat San Pablo Bay NWR:Tuesday, Feb. 3rdWednesday, Feb. 18thTuesday, March 16thAll workshops are from 3:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Mud Creatures and the Watershed Connection is a one-hour, hands-on, in-class activity for 3rd grade students inSolano and Napa counties. Students study creatures that arefound in the mudflat habitat while examining marsh mud. Theyalso learn about the impact humans have on the Bay waters andhow their everyday actions can affect all living creatures. Thisprogram is also FREE!

To schedule a teacher orientation date, field trip, or in-classactivity please contact the Environmental Education Intern at(707) 562-2473.

Environmental EducationCurriculum Available!

Are you a K-12 educator? Curriculum developer? Scoutleader? Are you planning a field trip? Do you want to teachyour child more about the environment? Are you looking forsome Spanish-English bilingual material?

The EEC Curriculum andResource Library may have just thething to help you. Within our 200resource items available at the EEC,you can find...

On Sandy Shores: TeachersGuide - Five detailed activitiesfor grades 2-4: Beach BucketScavenger Hunt; Sand on Stage; The SightsThat Sand Has Seen; Build a Sandy Beach; Oil on the Beach.Material provides good background information for teacher.Activities are designed for classroom use with projected times.

Conservation Biology: A Curriculum for High SchoolStudents - “Activities that reflect the problems and questionsfacing conservation biologists.” Seven lessons addressbiological diversity including species extinction. Each unit hashandouts and presentation pages for transparencies. Each lessonis organized including goals, duration, prerequisite knowledge/skills, background data, instructional strategy, and teacher tips.

Spanish-English and English-Spanish dictionaries ofspecific scientific terms are available in a California AquaticScience Education Consortium (CASEC) Spanish supplementto a five volume series available in Spanish and English.

How can you gain access to this treasure trove? Thisresource library can be used by appointment during the week orfrom 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Call the educationstaff, (408) 262-5513, to find out how you can peruse an Exceldatabase of the resource library, find a particular item, and thenbe able to copy and use it!

1-3 Volunteers and NWR: Partnersfor the Future

4 *IMPORTANT NOTICE*5 Flyway Festival6 Wildlife Society Thanks7 Farallon Clean-Up8-9 Refuge Dispatches10-13 Winter Activities Schedule14-15 Field Trips to the Refuge

W I N T E R 0 3 - 0 4

84

237

880

880

84

101

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

Milpitas

Newark

Fremont

EastPalo Alto

DUMBARTON

GRAND

ALVISO

LAFAYETTE

NO

RTH

FIRST ST.

Agnew

BAYSHORE FWY.

MONTAGUE

NEWARK

THONTON

R

NIMITZ FWY.

NATIONAL

84

N

▼

MenloPark

ZANKERTAYLOR

RefugeHeadquarters &Visitor Center(510) 792-0222Directions: From Highway 84(at the east end of theDumbarton Bridge), exit atThornton Avenue. Travel southon Thornton Avenue for 0.8miles to the Refuge entrance onthe right. Turn right into theRefuge and follow MarshlandsRoad to the stop sign. Turn leftinto the parking lot.

RefugeEnvironmentalEducation Center(408) 262-5513Directions: From I-880 orHighway 101, exit on Highway237 toward Alviso. Turn northonto Zanker Road. Continue onZanker Road to theEnvironmental EducationCenter entrance road (a sharpright turn at Grand Blvd.) Thedistance from 237 to theentrance road is 2.1 miles.

Marshlands Rd.

It is the policy of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NationalWildlife Refuge to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you haveany questions concerning the refuge's programs, or if you need any accommodation toenable you to participate in the refuge's programs, please contact a visitor servicesstaff person at the Visitor Center at (510) 792-0222 or at the Environmental EducationCenter at (408) 262-5513.

UNITED STATESDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICEDON EDWARDS SAN FRANCISCO BAY

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGEP.O. BOX 524

NEWARK, CALIFORNIA 94560

OFFICIAL BUSINESSPENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

FIRST-CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Permit No. G-77