At This Sonoma Park, You Can Walk to Pluto
If you’re looking to combine a stunning walk with a deeper contemplation of the cosmos, the PlanetWalk Trail, in Sonoma County’s Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, fits the bill.
Exploration
On the Family Dramas (and Weird Feet) of the American Coot
One of the commonest birds on the shoreline has a soap opera for a home life. Coots fight for territory, which is about food—pond muck, insects, and the stakes are...
An Artist Goes Bird-Swatching
Artist Christopher Reiger's “field guides” are on view at the Laguna Environmental Center in Santa Rosa until April 28.
A Sparkling Terror in the Dark, and Other Tales of Readers’ Wildlife Encounters
Readers submitted their mini-stories of nature encounters, including a thrill in the dark, a bobcat vs. squirrel drama, and a surprisingly aggressive flower.
All Those Whose Eyes Do Shine at Night: Naturalist’s Notebook, by John Muir Laws
Why do some animals' eyes shine at night? John Muir Laws explains.
Explore the Bay by Ferry
Ferries are a cheap, environmentally friendly way to breathe in some brisk salt air and see the Bay in a new way. Here are five places you can go.
After ‘Heartbreaking’ Vandalism, Sausal Creek Plant Nursery Volunteers Pick Up the Pieces
Over 4,000 native plant seedlings were knocked over in broad daylight at the Friends of Sausal Creek's native plant nursery in Joaquin Miller Park, Oakland. At least 600 seedlings were...
The Bald Eagles Have Landed in Alameda, and They’re Building a Nest
Longtime birder and Alameda local Rick Lewis found the nest, and he's been discreetly visiting it almost daily since. No sign of eggs yet, but the birds seem good so...
A Santa Cruz Forest Reborn, After a Century Off-Limits
San Vicente Redwoods in Santa Cruz. Trail: 4.4 mi, 442 ft elevation gain, loop
EBRPD Trails Challenge: So Many Trails to Choose From
January 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the Trails Challenge—a beloved annual tradition that helps people of all abilities access the vast East Bay Regional Park District and inspires them...
