volunteer newsletter of the san francisco bay …...volunteer field trip! (pg 11) volunteer...

Cri er Corner: Spo ed by real volunteers!

At A Glance

Volunteer Banquet (pg 2)

Lets Get Started (pg 3)

Fremont Opportuni es (pg 4)

Alviso Opportuni es (pg 5 & 8)

Events Flying in This Summer (pg 6)

Support Some Super Surveys (pg 7)

Big “Avocets“ from spring! (pg 8 &9)

Volunteer Field Trip! (pg 11)

Volunteer Newsletter of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

June - August 2016

Sloughs News Sloughs News

Photo Courtesy of Marie Strassburger

Photo Courtesy of Gregg Aronson

Photo Courtesy of Marie Strassburger Photo Courtesy of Marie Strassburger

Photo Courtesy of Marie Strassburger

Photo Courtesy of Erica Duke

Photo Courtesy of Erica Duke

In addi on to our volunteer of the year, Jim

Millholland, we also honored a few other

special volunteers at this years banquet! Colter

Cook, Dean Nishimura, Ibrahim Khatri, and

Mary and Gene Bobik were all awarded Special

Recogni on for the year 2015.

Photo Courtesy of Diane Kodama: Capturing Jim’s spirit

while accep ng the volunteer of the year award[2015]

on Jim Millholland’s behalf.

Photo Courtesy of Tia Glagolev: We had a

Puddles sigh ng! This year puddles showed up

to celebrate our apprecia on of our volunteers!

This year our volunteer of the year award went to

Jim Millholland, in memoriam. Jim offered the

refuge wonderful work, with plenty of fun, in the

San Pablo Bay, Marin Islands, and An och Dunes

NWR’s. Jim was a reliable, flexible, and enthusias c

volunteer. We were lucky to have him with us.

Working on building us new maintenance shops,

helping us with coastal cleanups, and helping at our

Flyway Fes vals are only a few of the great things

Jim did with us. We thank Jim for all of his hard

work, and honor him as volunteer of the year for

2015.

Sloughs News June-August 2016

Another great year lead to another great volunteer

apprecia on banquet! This year we got to reiterate

that we are so lucky to have you all as volunteers

with us at the San Francisco Bay Na onal Wildlife

Refuge Complex during our “Lucky us, We know

you!” apprecia on banquet. Plenty of our

leprechauns showed up with high spirits for a

much needed celebra on of you!

Volunteer of the Year (2015)

Special Recognition (2015)

Volunteers Appreciated: Volunteer Banquet goes off shamrockin’

Photo Courtesy of Diane Kodama

As always, we are thankful for all of our volunteers!

Let’s get started!

Stewardship Saturdays!

9:30 am ‐ 12:00 pm

Saturday, June 18

Saturday, July 16

Saturday, Aug 13

Join us at the Fremont loca on for a day

of stewardship! You will be either picking

up trash and debris or pulling weeds! No

orienta on required. Come snake up

some trash with us! 510‐792‐0222 X 363

Volunteer Orienta on!

(Fremont)

1:00 pm ‐ 2:00 pm

Saturday, Aug 6

2:00 pm ‐ 3:00 pm

Sunday, July 3

Come to our mee ng to learn about

our wonderful refuge and the different

opportuni es we provide for

volunteers. Heron Fremont, we

appreciate our volunteers!

510‐792‐0222 X 363

Volunteer Orienta on!

(Alviso)

11:00 am ‐ 12:00 pm

Tuesday, June 14th

Tuesday, July 5th

Saturday, July 23rd

Saturday, August 20th

Tuesday, August 30th

Do you want to be a part of

the Alviso volunteer team?

Join us on this informa onal

orienta on to prepare yourself

for service with us! We think

our volunteers are egreat!

408‐262‐5513 X 104


Introducing Volunteers of San Francisco Bay NWR Complex Facebook Page! We created a Facebook Group for our volunteers to communicate with one another and for staff to communicate with you. Feel free to post ques ons about the Refuge Complex, photos of yourselves volunteering, or things you've been working on. This group is private and only members can see your posts. But, the public can see who are members of this group. Membership is by invita on and/or requests only. Join the group now! Find us at Volunteers of SF Bay NWR Complex.

Fremont Volunteer Opportuni es

We are looking for docents to lead walks at

10:00 am on Tuesdays throughout the

summer! You pick your topics! Contact

Carmen at 510‐792‐0222 X 476

Ques ons? Please contact Paul Mueller at 510‐792‐0222 X 361 or [email protected]

Poten al Opportuni es

— Visitor Center Informa on Desk* —

We are looking for individuals to help us man the visitor center, by gree ng visitors

and keeping the center looking nice, you will be an important staple of our team!

— Na ve Plants Nursery* —

Work with our nursery doing weeding, pruning, and plan ng. Help make the refuge

more beau ful!

— Trail and Vegeta on Maintenance* —

We do not want to be si ng ducks! Become an important part of our team

by looking for faults and fixing them, removing invasive species, taking care

of graffi and more!

— Ci zen Science* —

Make a difference by becoming a ci zen science member of our volunteer team!

*A ending Fremont Volunteer Orienta on is highly recommended (pg 3)


Alviso Volunteer Opportuni es Alviso Volunteer Requirements

• You must a end a volunteer orienta on in Alviso (pg 3)

• You must a end the scheduled trainings

• You must meet the age requirements for the program

• Volunteer Applica ons provided at Orienta on

Bu erfly Garden Manager: An experienced volunteer in California na ve plants is needed to keep the educa on center’s demonstra on garden thriving. This posi on will require nursery management and developing a plan for the 1.5 acre garden. History: Volunteers established this garden to provide cri cal habitat for songbirds and bu erflies, and to demonstrate how to garden for wildlife using beau ful California na ve plants, without the use of herbicides. It contains mature specimens of Ceanothus, fuchsia‐flowered gooseberry, pink flowering currant, buckwheat, toyon, and black sage in a naturalis c se ng. To Apply: Please send resume and le er of interest to Julie Kahrnoff at julie.kahrnoff@s ws.com Addi onal Requirements: One day each week for a three month commitment. Hours: Flexible Outreach Volunteers: Help us get out into the community and spread the word about one of the bay area’s best kept secrets – the Refuge! Training: You will need volunteer orienta on, one hour table set up and refuge 101 training. Addi onal Requirements: One event per quarter (four total) is required for a one year commitment. Hours: Hours can vary depending on the event.

Ques ons? Please contact Julie Kahrnoff at 408‐262‐5513 ext. 104 or julie.kahrnoff@s ws.com

Team Citizen Scientists Environmental Education Center, Alviso

Do you want to become a ci zen scien st! Are you interested in plants and want to learn about na ve

plant monitoring and bird monitoring at the EEC? We will go out in the field and learn firsthand the effects of restora on and climate change in the life cycle of plants

and animals. Ages 15 and up. Dates and mes are flexible.


Restora on Project Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to work on the EEC's ecotone habitat restora on project. In the fall and winter volunteers plant na ves. In the spring and summer volunteers pull various invasive species to ensure that the na ve plants have a chance to thrive. Training: Volunteer orienta on and on the job training are provided. Addi onal Requirements: Individuals and groups of all ages will perform physical work, primarily outdoors. Hours: Tuesday from 9:30 am ‐ 2:00 pm Weekend Informa on Desk Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to answer visitor ques ons, answer phones, and check out our discovery packs and binoculars to interested visitors. Training: Volunteer orienta on and a one hour informa on desk training are provided Addi onal Requirements: Two half days per month for a six‐month commitment Hours: Shi s are from 10:00 am ‐ 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm ‐ 5:00 pm on Sundays as needed.

Saturday, August 20

10:00 am ‐ 1:00 pm

Volunteer Training is required!

Sunday, August 7

10:00 am ‐ 12:00 pm

or

Thursday, August 11

10:00 am ‐ 12:00 pm

Teams will be using their GPS units to find you during this race. When they arrive, read a script and have them perform a task. Once they perform the task satisfactorily, give them an envelope with the next set of coordinates.

Required training will help you to know your exact location, fully understand how the game is played and executed, and also help you to flesh out scripts.

Save the Date! Saturday, September 17 we will be having a

Coastal Cleanup Day! More informa on will be forthcoming.

Pier Fishing Day!

Saturday, June 4

9:00 am ‐ 12:00 pm

We are s ll looking for a few individuals to help

us with Pier Fishing day in Fremont! (Preferably

someone who knows fishing and will be

comfortable working a line!)

The Amazing

Refuge Race

Events Flying In This Summer

Contact: Carmen at 510‐792‐0222 X 476 or carmen_leong‐[email protected]


Contact: Carmen at 510‐792‐0222 X 476 or carmen_leong‐[email protected]


Support Some Super Surveys!

Visitor Use Surveys at

the EEC in Alviso

Volunteers are needed to count the number of people walking or bicycling the Mallard Slough Trail in August. This trail is located in Alviso next to the Environmental Educa on Center. Shi s are two hours at a me. Contact Carmen Minch at Carmen_Leong‐[email protected] or

(510) 792‐0222 X 476

Tuesdays: 11:00 am ‐ 1:00 am

Thursdays: 4:00 pm ‐ 6:00 pm

Saturdays: 9:00 am ‐ 11:00 am

Sundays: 2:00 pm ‐ 4:00 pm

Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse Surveys (San Pablo Bay)

June (CDFG property and Sonoma Creek Marsh)

Wednesday 8th, pm: 3:30 pm ‐ 9:00 pm

Thursday 9th, am: 5:30 am ‐ 8:30 am

Thursday 9th, pm: 4:00 pm ‐ 9:00 pm

Friday 10th, am: 5:30 am ‐ 8:30 am

Friday 10th, pm: 4:00 pm ‐ 9:00 pm

Saturday 11th, am: 5:30 am ‐ 9:30 am

July (Lower Tubbs Island)

Saturday 9th, pm: 5:30 pm ‐ 9:00 pm

Sunday 10th, am: 5:00 am ‐ 9:00 am

Sunday 10th, pm: 5:30 pm ‐ 9:00 pm

Monday 11th, am: 5:00 am ‐ 9:00 am

Monday 11th, pm: 5:00 pm ‐ 9:00 pm

Tuesday 12th, am: 5:00 am ‐ 10:00 am

August (Tubbs Setback ‐ guaranteed SMHM site!, and we need plenty of volunteers!)

Monday 8th, pm: 3:30 pm ‐ 8:30 pm

Tuesday 9th, am: 6:00 am ‐ 9:30 am

Tuesday 9th, pm: 4:30 pm ‐ 8:30 pm

Wednesday 10th, am: 6:00 am ‐ 9:30 am



September (Tolay Creek Marsh by boat)

Tuesday 6th, pm: 3:00 pm ‐ 8:30 pm

Wednesday 7th, am: 5:30 am ‐ 8:00 am



Thursday 8th, pm: 4:00 pm ‐ 8:30 pm

Friday 9th, am: 5:30 am ‐ 9:30 am

Interested? Contact Meg at 707‐769‐4200 X 104 or Meg_Marrio @fws.gov

Lange’s Metalmark Bu erfly Surveys

Dates

It is time once again for the Lange's Metalmark Butterfly counts at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge! We will be counting butterflies for several weeks in August and September and we can use your help.

We will be conducting counts until ZERO butterflies are seen, whenever that may be in September. You will be briefed on what to do and what to look for on each day of the count, so first-timers are welcome as well as veteran counters!

As you might guess, Antioch in summer is challenging. Temperatures can be very warm to hot, often with a nice breeze, and the terrain can be uneven and sometimes steep. There are many plants to step over, under and around, as well as prickly plant parts that will want to go home with you.

However, if you are of the hardy variety, the payoff is fabulous and worth it! Lange's Metalmark Butterflies are found nowhere else in the world, except at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge!! Do not miss this opportunity to see this gorgeous endangered species!!!

*Times are to be determined later

Thursday, August 4

Thursday, August 11

Thursday, August 18

Thursday, August 25

Thursday, September 1

Thursday, September 8

Interested? Contact Susan Euing at 510-521-9717 or [email protected]

Earth Day with Another successful Earth Day! This year with Save The Bay,

volunteers picked up a truckload of trash and removed enough

invasive plants to fill a full trailer, in our Ravenswood's area!

Team Spinach takes a good “spin” on Farallon

*The next Team Spinach effort will take place in late July/ early August.*

Photos courtesy of Marie Strassburger: (Center picture, listed left to right) Lead by the Farallon Wildlife Refuge Specialist, Jonathan Shore, Olivia Andrus, Suzy Romanowicz, Marie Strassburger, Pete Winch, Kelsey Richardson, and Isaiah Thalmayer, successfully removed invasive plants all over this remote island Refuge.

Another expedi on of Team Spinach on the Farallon Na onal Wildlife Refuge occurred from March 27

to April 3, 2016. This trip consisted of six awesome volunteers. The ul mate goal is eradica on of

highly invasive New Zealand Spinach from the Refuge, in order to restore habitat for nes ng seabirds,

and na ve plants.

Alviso Socials and Opportuni es


Save the Date! Volunteer Social Saturday, June 18th 2016 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Who doesn’t like free food and a night to celebrate all our hard work? Come join the staff, as we celebrate all that our volunteers do, over dinner provided by the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society. After dinner we will take a summer evening stroll along the Refuge. Look for the evite at the end of May! Questions? Julie: 408‐422‐7731 ext.104

Team Citizen Scientists Environmental Education Center, Alviso

Saturday, July 23rd 2016 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Become a citizen scientist! Are you interested in plants, birds,

monarchs, or reptiles and want to take time to slow down at the

EEC? We will go out in the field and learn firsthand the effects of

restoration and climate change in the life cycle of plants and animals.

Ages 15 and up.

To sign up contact: Julie: 408‐422‐7731 ext.104

Some of our biggest “avocets“ from spring!

Shout Out From Julie Karhnoff! I would like to give a shout out to the EEC

Restora on volunteers that helped with Cas lleja! We completed over 200 hours

worth of work! Thanks to Bill Lean for teaching about Na ve Plants and to Sharon

Nelson, Stew Perlman , John Ryan, Andres Macia, Schuyler Spence, Andrew Cole,

and Carmen Minch for spending the day pulling weeds and revamping the nature

play area.

Some of our biggest “avocets“ from spring!

Americorps Crew Re‐routes Tidelands Trail!

The Sloughs News was edited by Erica Duke with Laura Mello. Contributions came from Julie Kahrnoff, Carmen Minch, Genie Moore, and, Paul Mueller. You too can become a contributor. Contact Paul Mueller (510) 792-0222 ext. 361, [email protected]. Mast Head photo courtesy of Anqi Chen (East Alviso: Walking with the Gulls).


AmeriCorps Na onal Civilian Community Corps (ANCCC) Pacific Region campus sent team Green 1 to serve the US Fish and Wildlife Service at their Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Na onal Wildlife Refuge during the week of May 1st to May 5th, 2016. Corps members of Green 1 range from 18‐25 years old, and are currently serving a ten‐month term of service. They work with non‐profits and government agencies for varying amounts of me to complete a variety of projects.

While at the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge in Fremont Green 1 helped to reroute a por on of the Tidelands trail to avoid a sec on that was in disrepair. The Tidelands trail overlooks meandering sloughs and acres of restored vernal pool, pond, and marsh habitats which are juxtaposed near urban se ngs. However, had the damaged sec on of trail remained, users would have lost out on the spectacular views from its vantage point. The original status of the trail at the beginning of the group’s work was very steep and had uneven surfaces that were unsafe to hike. Green 1 remedied this issue by cu ng a new trail that took advantage of the hill’s topography, allowing for an easier grade to hike up, around, and down the hill. The ANCCC team included trail features such as a climbing turn, a switchback, and drainage dips to make the trail self‐sustainable and a joy for hikers to use. The myriad of previous trail experiences and seven‐months and coun ng of working together allowed the team to complete the 800 feet of rerouted trail in just four days. With the work at the refuge now complete, the team has moved on to Fort Ord Na onal Monument to work with the BLM Central Coast office for the remainder of the Spring season.

Wri en by: Edison Velez of Americorps team Green 1

Special Loca ons!


We are looking for volunteers to give public tours of the Warm Springs Unit of Don Edwards SF Bay NWR (Warm Springs). Warm Springs is a vernal pool grassland in South Fremont with beau ful vernal pool flower blooms in April. This area is otherwise closed to the public. Docents will be trained by Warm Springs staff and will a end at least two tours prior to leading a tour of their own. We are looking for docents who can lead 2‐4 tours on weekends in mid‐April and make at least a two year commitment. Tours are two hours long and limited to 20 par cipants. Tours are offered at 10 am and 1 pm and last two hours. Interested? Contact Ive e Loredo, Wildlife Refuge Specialist at ive [email protected]

Harbor Seal Counts Are you interested in spo ng seals? With Norton Bell, you could be one of few who

go on seal counts and help provide substan al informa on about these seals’

numbers! Contact Norton Bell at [email protected] for more informa on.

Warm Springs Docent

Tidal Pools and Coastal Light

Volunteer Field Trip!

Date: June 11, 2016

When: Meet at the Fremont Headquarters at 7:45 AM and we will return

to the Headquarters at 3:00 PM

Where: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and Point Montara Lighthouse

Why: To celebrate you and provide you with a volunteer enrichment

opportunity!

Don’t Worry: We will be stopping at a taqueria for lunch during our

awesome day!

Join us on a tour of the Fitzgerald

Marine Reserve to explore the dal

zones along the ocean shore and

follow that up with a short docent

led tour of the Point Montara

lighthouse! (We will likely not be

able to enter the lighthouse, but

we will receive a fun short tour

around the lighthouse premise.)

Interested? Contact Erica Duke at 510‐792‐0222 X 362 or at [email protected] Spots are limited, so act fast!

volunteer newsletter of the san francisco bay …...volunteer field trip! (pg 11) volunteer...

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