the riparian corridors, especially the Vasona Lake herons. Learning more about these exquisite birds - their nesting behavior, migratory patterns, interdependence on other wildlife - was immensely interesting. Great Blue Herons are a strikingly remarkable bird that nests in the tidal marshes of Vasona Lake. One glance at these elegant birds would leave you feeling awe and rapture. During my excursions and explorations in several Bay Area county parks I got acquainted with SFBBO. What resonated with me are SFBBO’s first principles - promoting the protection of birds and their habitats through research, education, and community outreach. While volunteering with SFBBO, I was struck by how purposeful they are in approaching avian research and the deliberateness in pursuing habitat restoration. Here’s a link to their website with various programs and events. Two of my favorite volunteer habitat restoration events at SFBBO are the workdays at Alviso Marina County Park and the Bair Island volunteer events, where we specifically remove Australian saltbush and stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens) which is a Mediterranean native and highly invasive. This work greatly enhances the survival of native plants such as pickleweed which provide food and cover for the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. These tidal marshlands also support the federally endangered Ridgway’s Rail (marsh chicken). “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe,” by John Muir comes to mind.
Our SFBBO ecologists play a critical role in research and are strong advocates for Bay Area wetland restoration and preservation efforts. These community events and programs help create public awareness and understanding, while strengthening the public’s resolve to protect these fragile wildlife habitats. Our interconnectedness and dependence on birds and wild spaces is increasingly threatened by deforestation, urbanization, and climate change. The need for progressive environmental policies and reforms has never been stronger. Please join me in donating to support SFBBO’s outreach programs which inform, inspire, and involve communities towards supporting our diverse riparian habitats and the wildlife that depends on their protection.
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WingbeatWingbeat is a blog where you can find the most recent stories about our science and outreach work. We'll also share guest posts from volunteers, donors, partners, and others in the avian science and conservation world. To be a guest writer, please contact [email protected]. Archives
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