Author Archives: Lia Keener
Lia Keener joined Bay Nature in 2022 as editorial assistant and later became its first outreach fellow. As events coordinator since 2024, she has facilitated more than 80 events per calendar year. Lia grew up in Central Oregon, then attended UC Berkeley, where she majored in environmental biology and minored in Chinese language and journalism. In her spare time, Lia enjoys painting animals, going for long walks, tidepooling, looking for insects, and eating snacks.
Tarantula Hawk Wasp Mamas Deliver the Smackdown of the Summer
When it comes to motherhood, it doesn't get much more extreme than tarantula hawk wasp moms, known to duel tarantulas—and win.
Local Heroes 2023: Alexii Sigona, Young Leader Award
The Dakota Access pipeline. Junípero Serra’s canonization. These issues lit a fuse, urging Alexii Sigona to action.
Local Heroes 2023: Blanca Olivia Hernández, Environmental Educator Award
“What if we were all leaders?” says Hernández, director of programs and partnerships at YES Nature to Neighborhoods, a Richmond-based nonprofit. “Because we all have it. It’s in us. It’s...
Spooky, Scary Scorpions? Actually, Not So Much. (You Aren’t Worth the Venom.)
A little too hairy and a little too pinchy to classify as charismatic, scorpions strike fear in the hearts of many—through no fault of their own. A scorpion expert sets...
Tracking Prairie Falcons, Mysterious Raptors of the Grasslands
"Peregrines are birds of the air," says one expert. "Prairie falcons are falcons of the ground." That makes them more sensitive to habitat loss throughout California, too.
Two Young Researchers, Two New Scorpions
There are now two more scorpion species to appreciate, thanks to the work of two young researchers. Their efforts could change the future for these salty-lake-bed, stinger-endowed specialists.
A Feather Forecast to Help You Tune Into Fall’s Magnificent Migrations
Up to a half-billion birds migrate across the U.S. each night, cloaked in darkness. BirdCast helps you see what they’re doing.
How Your Beach Photos Are Helping CA Scientists: Snapshot Cal Coast 2022
This year's Snapshot Cal Coast featured 4,083 people logging 46,683 observations of almost 4,000 species into the iNaturalist app from June 13 to July 4.
How Many Birds Can Be Found in the Bay Area in One Day?
Behind the scenes of a frenetic, 13-hour birding challenge.
