Exploring Nature in the San Francisco Bay Area
Here are several local organizations that have recently taken steps to preserve redwood forests in the Bay region and beyond. Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) Together with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, in 1999 POST acquired 1,065 acres known as the Bear Creek Redwoods, located south of San Jose in Santa Clara County. (650)854-7696…
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 legislation to make purple needlegrass California’s official state grass. The long-lived, drought-tolerant purple needlegrass, or…
To learn more about ancient megafauna and efforts to protect and restore the Bay Area’s megafauna: Megafauna Video Check out our feature article on the Bay Area’s prehistoric megafauna, and then watch KQED’s video on megafauna, part of their Quest program. Tule Elk Restoration Point Reyes National Seashore Association Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415)…
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. California Oak Mortality Task Force www.suddenoakdeath.org Sudden Oak Death research, monitoring, and education website, including…
Although the disease is popularly known as Sudden Oak Death, the funguslike organism that causes it, Phytophthora ramorum, is also responsible for less severe symptoms in a number of other native and nonnative plants. The continually growing list of affected plants currently stands at 26, ranging from the towering coast redwood to the diminutive western…
Despite their recreational and functional value, most reservoirs come at a cost. To build a reservoir, we must drown a valley. In the Bay Area, that probably entails flooding valuable wildlife habitat, such as oak woodlands, vernal pools, and riparian corridors. It is not surprising, then, that several current reservoir proposals are drawing fire from…
Independent, nonprofit environmental journalism connecting people with nature in the San Francisco Bay Area.
