On the Board Walk: Meet Caroline Selfridge

​One thing I love about the Bay Area is how easy it is to find beautiful places to walk. It’s fantastic that you can be in the middle of Silicon Valley and arrive so quickly at a woodland trail, a levee on the bay, or an open meadow dotted with oaks.
 
Some of my favorite spots are the Sierra Azul and El Sereno Open Space Preserves in Los Gatos; Calero County Park in San Jose; and the Fremont Older ... 

Open Space Preserve in Cupertino. I try to go walking at least two to three times a week, even if it’s only for a short time.  

Having grown up outside of Boston, I’m familiar with East Coast flora, but I’ve been working to learn the native trees and especially the wildflowers of California – their diversity and beauty is incredible! I take photos of them wherever I go.   

When I retired in spring 2021, after almost 30 years as an attorney at Intel Corporation, I knew I wanted to work with a nonprofit organization that supported nature in the Bay Area. I sought a group that included scientific research in their mission, since it’s through science that we can best learn how to protect the natural world from the pressures of climate change, habitat loss, and urbanization. SFBBO turned out to be the perfect fit. 

As shown in our recently-published strategic plan, SFBBO has a powerful multipronged approach to its work. First, we do scientific research on birds and their habitats, sharing and publishing our data to help drive new learnings and implement change. Next, we work to restore local bird habitats, which have been decimated by human activities. Lastly, we engage with local communities. Through outreach and education, we work with hundreds of volunteers every year, and educate and inspire children to become the next generation of environmental stewards and advocates.
 
The Bay Area is a place of incredible natural beauty and diversity. With climate change and other urgent environmental problems, it’s essential that we invest in the future of our natural world. Please join SFBBO at an upcoming event, visit our website for more information, or donate to support our programs.

Caroline joined the SFBBO board in January, 2023, following a yearlong Encore Fellowship with the organization. Prior to joining SFBBO, Caroline worked as an attorney with Intel Corporation for nearly 30 years. In her spare time, she enjoys trail running, hiking, gardening, California wildflowers, studying French, cooking, travel, and basket-making. Caroline is secretary to the Bay Area Basket Makers guild.