Every once in a while, a small and unremarkable animal makes a huge impact on a landscape. So it is with the salt marsh harvest mouse around the edges of the San Francisco Bay. The endangered species status of the harvest mouse, along with that of the California clapper rail, has been a prime mover in the restoration of thousands of acres of tidal marshes around the region.
Bay Nature Staff
EndangerBus Feature: San Francisco Garter Snake
Reptile expert Robert Stebbins calls the San Francisco garter snake “one of the most beautiful serpents in North America.” The snake’s dazzling patterns of color serve as camouflage in its native habitat: the open marshes, stream banks, grasslands, and vernal pools of the San Francisco Peninsula. But the best camouflage is little help if your home territory gets built over.
Act Now to Save California State Parks
Now’s the time to help save our California state parks from imminent closure under Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget plan!
Transit to Trails Map
Download our updated map showing transit connections to protected parks and open spaces all over the San Francisco Bay Area.
East Bay Shoreline Parks
The East Bay Regional Park District and other parks agencies own and operate an impressive array of shoreline parks in the East Bay. Visit a different one every week, and you’d still be busy for at least four months. Here’s … Read more
Out of the Flames
On October 3, 1995, a wildfire erupted on Mount Vision at Point Reyes National Seashore. Before the flames were extinguished a week later, 12,000 acres of this popular park had been scorched, and 45 nearby homes burned to the ground. A decade later, we return to Point Reyes for a lesson in local fire ecology to see how the landscape—and the community—were reshaped and renewed by the blaze.
Soil Matters
We tend to take the ground beneath our feet for granted, but soil is a defining feature of the landscape around us, in the garden and on the trail.
Purple Needlegrass Takes Root in the Capitol
David Amme, author of “Grassland Heritage” in Bay Nature’s April-June 2004 issue, called purple needlegrass “the undisputed candidate for official state grass.” Now that may soon become literally as well as figuratively true: State Sen. Michael Machado, D-Linden, is sponsoring … Read more
Bay Related Organizations
There are many local organizations working to protect, restore, explore, and educate about San Francisco Bay. Many of them welcome volunteers and new members. We found close to one hundred of these organizations in our search, but there are undoubtedly … Read more
Oak Woodlands Resources
To learn more about California’s oaks, contact the following organizations: California Oak Foundation 1212 Broadway, Suite 810 Oakland, CA 94612 510-763-0282 www.californiaoaks.org California oak advocacy and education organization. Online monthly oak report, membership newsletter, oak tree care information, and merchandise. … Read more