Between River and Bay

January 1, 2003 •  by

At the intersection of coastal tides and inland rivers there’s a place that’s rich in history and full of life. The Delta has been greatly altered by human hands, but at Big Break Regional Shoreline, its watery charms are accessible to those willing to venture off the beaten path.

Do Any Bay Area Animals Hibernate in Winter?

January 1, 2003 •  by

Our temperate climate here in the Bay Area means that most inhabitants don’t have to hibernate. Hibernation is a form of adaptive hypothermia, a continuum of responses to climatic variations that allow an animal to save energy by temporarily abandoning … Read more

Fluke or Fixture

January 1, 2003 •  by

An increasing number of gray whales have been spotted in San Francisco Bay in recent years. Why are these aquatic giants venturing here now in greater numbers? Are they temporary refugees? Or are they adding a regular stop on their 10,000-mile-long migration route?

Creating a Creekside Haven

January 1, 2003 •  by

When she gets out of the shower in the morning, Sue LaTourrette might find herself standing 10 feet from a great egret. “We live on a creek,” she says, “so we were used to wildlife. But we never had herons … Read more

Drawing with a Local Palette

January 1, 2003 •  by

If not for an unassuming wire fence, you might mistake Judith Larner Lowry’s garden for one of nature’s own. The tall wooden gate resists slightly, then yields, permitting the visitor to step into a quiet community of coastal scrub. Undulating … Read more

Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants

January 1, 2003 •  by

Not long ago, the Bay Area was home to wild creatures in numbers beyond reckoning. While we can’t undo generations of intensive human settlement, there’s a surprising amount of potential habitat for wildlife in the spaces in our own yards. By growing native plants, we can invite the wild back into our daily lives.

Native Plant Gardening Resources

January 1, 2003 •  by

NURSERIES, SEED SUPPLIERS, PLANT SALES, AND BOTANIC GARDENS Bay Natives 375 Alabama St. #440 San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 287-6755 http://www.baynatives.com Berkeley Horticultural Nursery 1310 McGee Ave. Berkeley, CA 94703 (510)526-4704 Stock includes California natives among other types of plants. … Read more

Starting a Wildlife Habitat Garden

January 1, 2003 •  by

It’s really not that hard to transform your garden into a welcoming habitat for native wildlife. But you do need to know where to start. Here are a few steps to help you begin: 1. Start small. Working in a … Read more

Starting with the Oaks

January 1, 2003 •  by

A winding path through Kathy Welch’s garden leads to an oak grove. Photo by Saxon Holt. Kathy Welch had already begun to consider renovating her yard in the Oakland hills when she made a few discoveries. “I found a trillium … Read more