Events & Meetings: Interpretive Activities

South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project
Interpretive Programs 2010

Bike Tour on the Levees
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Environmental Education Center, Alviso

  • Saturday, August 28, 2010, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The salt ponds of the South Bay are undergoing an amazing transformation! Salt Ponds A16 and A17 will play a starring roll in this leisurely 5.5-mile bike tour of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. Helmets are required and knobby tires strongly encouraged. Recommended for ages 8 and over. Please RSVP 408-262-5513 x106.

Volunteer Docent Program Training
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR

If you love our wetlands and want to share your enthusiasm with the public, then Refuge the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project has the perfect opportunity for you! We are restarting the Project’s docent program and are looking for community members to lead programs with the public. No experience necessary! We will provide the training and tools that you need to become a success. Twelve-hour training begins on June 17. Call Jennifer at 408-262-5513 x106 to learn more and to sign up.

Dawn Photography Hike
Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, Hayward

  • Saturday, August 7, 2010, 5:00 a.m.

Hidden among the salt ponds is one of the East Bay’s most intriguing historical sites. The Refuge and the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project are sponsoring this photography hike to the old Oliver Salt Works within the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve. We’ll be walking into an area of the Reserve not yet open to the public so please be prepared to walk several miles on unimproved levees with your equipment. Reservations required. Please call 408-262-5513 ext.106

Salt Pond Restoration 101: An Introduction to the Project
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Environmental Education Center, Alviso

  • Saturday, August 28, 2010, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 23, 2010, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Restoration of 15,100 acres of south San Francisco Bay salt ponds to wetlands habitats has begun. Please join us for overview of this incredible project happening in our backyard. Program will be held indoors in the auditorium. All are welcome!

Exploring the Refuge by Bike
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Alviso Marina County Park, Alviso

  • Saturday, September 4, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 18, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 2, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Bring your bike and join docent Steve Dill on a 9-mile journey to learn about the history, biology and restoration of the Refuge’s salt pond landscape. This trail will appeal to both bicyclists and birders. Ride is moderately strenuous over unpaved but level levees. Helmets requested. Binoculars and camera encouraged. Reservations required at 408-262-5513 x106. Rain cancels.

Bird Photography Van Safari
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Environmental Education Center, Alviso

  • Saturday, September 11, 2010, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Photograph the birds of the salt ponds with docent Alex Baranda. Participants will travel by van to several locations to photograph waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds. If you’ve taken one of our bird photography classes, this is a great way to practice your skills! For ages 12 and over. Reservations essential. 408-262-5513 x106.

Aerial Kite Photography Demonstration
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Environmental Education Center, Alviso

  • Saturday, September 11, 2010, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Using aerial kite photography, photographer Cris Benton has been keeping an incredible visual record of the South Bay salt ponds and wetlands. In the first hour, Cris will introduce us to aerial photography and what it reveals to us about the landscape we live in. Then we’ll move outdoors for a demonstration. Weather depending, Cris will launch the kites and record a bird’s eye view of the world! Call 408-262-5513 x106 for more information.

The Salt Marshes: Then and Now
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Learning Center, Fremont

  • Sunday, September 12, 2010, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 17, 2010, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 14, 2010, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Approximately 85% of San Francisco Bay's wetlands have disappeared over the last 200 years due to industry and development, impacting the wildlife that lived in and around them. Some of the plants and animals have made a comeback and a few have adapted to the changes. Learn a little about the history of the salt marshes and the wildlife affected by the changes. The presentation includes a slide show followed by a 45-minute walk to view a salt marsh and the remains of a salt evaporation pond. Bring binoculars or borrow one of ours. Call 510-792-0222 ext.393 for reservations. Led by Gregg Aronson.

Cruisin’ Towards Restoration
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Environmental Education Center, Alviso

  • Saturday, October 9, 2010, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The salt ponds of the South Bay are undergoing an amazing transformation! We’ll journey by van out into this unique landscape to discover the rebirth of the Bay’s edge through wetlands restoration. For ages 12 and over. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. 408-262-5513 x106.

Good-bye Salt Ponds, Hello Wetlands
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Ravenswood Unit (SF2,) Menlo Park

  • Saturday, October 16, 2010, 2:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 13, 2010, 1:00 p.m.

Docent Jane Moss will lead you on a 1-mile hike through the fascinating changes taking place at former salt pond SF2. Learn about the surprising ways this area is being reshaped as wildlife habitat. Trail is easy and level. All are welcome. Please call 408-262-5513 x106 for information and directions.

Bird Photography
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Ravenswood Unit (SF2,) Menlo Park

  • Saturday, October 23, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Use your camera to explore the newly enhanced wetlands in our Ravenswood Unit. Docent Alex Baranda will lead you on a hike to several locations to photograph shorebirds and waterfowl that are using this unique restoration site. Reservations Required. Call 408-262-5513 x106.

Why the Tides Matter
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Environmental Education Center, Alviso

  • Saturday, October 30, 2010, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 6, 2010, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Docent Laurel Stell will talk and walk you through all things tides. What are they? How do they affect wildlife? Why are they important to the restoration? Program starts indoors but will move outside for an easy 0.5-mile walk. All are welcome.

Beginning Birding Clinic
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
Environmental Education Center, Alviso

  • Saturday, November 20, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Fall migration to the salt ponds is on! Project work has created fabulous birding opportunities at the Alviso salt ponds. If you can’t tell your egrets from your cormorants this class is for you. We’ll learn about binoculars, identification books, and other birding basics through hands-on activities and conversation. Then we’ll go out into the field to practice our new skills. Binoculars and books provided during the class, but if you have your own please bring them. Be prepared to be outdoors in the weather for about an hour. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Please call 408-262-5513 x106 for more information or to reserve a spot.