Volunteer Newsletter of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife … · 2017-06-14 · Sloughs News Summer 2017 Page 2 The Volunteer Appreciation Banquet Blooms in Fremont! After Spring

At A Gla

nce

Past Events (pg 2)

Photo Corner (pg 4)

Alviso Opportuni es (pg 5)

Warm Springs Opportunity (pg 6)

Fremont Help Desk Training (pg 7)

Farallon Islands Opportunity (pg 8)

Amazing Race (pg 9)

Surveys (pg 10)

Volunteer Newsletter of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summer 2017

Sloughs News

Photo Courtesy of Joanne Ong

Sloughs News Summer 2017 Page 2

The Volunteer Appreciation Banquet Blooms in Fremont! After Spring Showers :

This year on April first we served Italian food from Strizzis of Fremont (courtesy of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society),

had a t‐shirt fashion show, received several fun entries to a April Fools dessert contest (like the Peeps of the SF refuge),

gave out free umbrellas to our volunteers, and showered all of them with thank yous and compliments. The Volunteer

Apprecia on Banquet annually gives the employees of the San Francisco Bay NWR Complex a chance to thank all of the

volunteers for their amazing work that improves our refuges, the environment, and our communi es.

Mother’s Day Celebration May 13, 2017

The Don Edwards SF Bay NWR held a Mother’s Day Celebra on event at the EEC in Alviso! Over 100 people a ended

the event to par cipate in the day’s ac vi es which consisted of guided nature walks, live bird shows, and gi making!

Con nues on page 3

Sloughs News is edited by Jackie Warren, with Laura Mello. Contributions came from Genie Moore, Hope Presley, Aidona

Kakouros, Jonathan Shore, Susan Euing, Mary Deschene, Paul Mueller and Carmen Minch. Page four photos by Omron STI

and FireEye. Cover photo by Joanne Ong. Any questions or comments? Call Jackie Warren at 510‐792‐0222, ext362.

Three Volunteer of the Year Awards Announced at Volunteer Banquet

This EEC Restora on Crew is a team of all stars:

Hope Services working in the restora on area and

bu erfly garden,

John Ryan, Stew Perlman, and Sharon Nelson in the weed

and na ve plan ng crew

Bill Lean our all around na ve plant nursery “green”

thumb

Dave Jewe and Charlie Moore on our saliniza on crew

Chris ne Slocomb who works with cover boards and in the

bu erfly garden and

Peter and Michael Grunrow who help us with “E‐bird”

Larry has made a number of significant contribu ons during his first year. He has helped in

developing field trips at the EEC to be er fit na onal standards. He took lead on the EEC’s most

popular educa onal program, “Feet, Beaks & Eats,” and offered ideas on how to make the ac vity

be er and smoother for the students. Addi onally, Larry has provided input on Living Wetlands

ac vi es as well. Larry has a wonderful a tude that always brightens and encourages the workplace.

He is always willing to go above and beyond!

Ken has a great work ethic and has given focused a en on in key areas: giving

programs to visitors, running the visitor center during employee absences, tweaking

the opera ons at the Volunteer Office, and providing security at the summer camp. He

manages to improve everything that he finds with great sugges ons and is always

willing to help whenever he is needed. He filled in at the Visitor Center for several

months when there was not an intern to assist the Volunteer Coordinator and

supervised the volunteers at the informa on desk. During this me he also edited this

newsle er. He has led many Family Bird Walks and has introduced several new interns

on how to give this program. At Summer Camp at the EEC he did a security detail that

drew praise. He also picked up crews returning from the Farallons on several occasions

when there was no one else available. Ken Roux has helped many of us (employees and

volunteers) here and we all want to thank him.

Ken Roux, Volunteer of the Year

EEC Restora on Crew, Team Volunteer of the Year

This team has helped with all aspects of the project from the grubbiest task of working in the muddiest condi ons, to the most difficult task

of pulling the same weeds over and over again! The team’s dedica on to the project shines through. Everyone lends a hand and contributes

towards the improvement of the upland/ ecotone habitat at the Environmental Educa on Center. As a result, we can now say that we have

a field of purple needlegrass (the state grass), coast live oak and valley oaks that are reminiscent of days past, stands of weedy na ves such

as spikeweed rarely found in the south bay, and acres of habitat for rep les, mammals and birds. As we con nue to move forward with

habitat improvements and plant/ wildlife monitoring we are grateful that the EEC Restora on Crew is here to help.

Larry Rosenblum, Rookie Volunteer of the Year

Adam Champoux, San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society Nature Store Award

Adam is a front desk volunteer at the Visitor Contact Sta on in Fremont, and he joined us as the first non‐Board

volunteer member of one of our new SFBWS Commi ees: The Nature Store Commi ee. He has been instrumental

in restoring the Nature Stores to their previous func onal level, from before the year‐long shut‐down in 2014‐2015.

Adam has cheerfully trudged through mundane tasks, as well as helping with policy decisions and revisions, and

new merchandise orders.

Page 3


VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS:

PHOTO CORNER

Omron employees a er a day of pulling French Broom. May 9, 2017

Omron STI and FireEye

employees helped remove seven truckloads of

French Broom!

FireEye

employees

enjoying

the views of

the South

Bay.

Paul Mueller preparing FireEye employees for the task ahead. May 10, 2017

Ulistac Natural Area 4901 Lick Mill Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Friday, June 9th 2017 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm* Join us for a tour of the City of Santa Clara's hidden gem! Ulistac Natural Area contains the last 40 acres of natural, undeveloped land in the city along the Guadalupe River, a major migratory flyway for birds. All of the restoration work in Ulistac is done by volunteers. The gardens are filled with California native plant species that attract birds, butterflies, and pollinators of all shapes and sizes! *There will be a carpool from the EEC.

Bair Island Ecotone Restoration Walk Friday, July 7, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm* Bair Island, Redwood City Join restoration ecologist, David Thomson, for a walk and talk about the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory's ecotone restoration project at Bair Island in Redwood City. This restoration is the second year of a six plus year partnership. With the rains the plants are growing well and the ecotone is looking great. We can walk the whole 1.7 mile trail (3.4 mile round trip), look at phase one in its second year, phase two in its first, and preview phases three-six while we keep an eye out for the 60 species of birds SFBBO ornithologists identified during a recent survey (nesting Savannah Sparrows were found in two places). Bring a lunch and we can sit on the benches to eat after the walk. *Meet at the Parking Lot at Bair Island or Carpool from Alviso and/or Fremont. US Fish and Wildlife Service International Program: Borneo! Tuesday, July 25, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Environmental Education Center, Alviso Join Dr. Jared Underwood, Don Edwards SF Bay NWR Manager, to learn about his recent work in Borneo. Jared visited Borneo as part of the Department of Interior's (DOI) International Technical Assistance Program. There he and other DOI scientists conducted a workshop for the national Park staff of Borneo on how to improve biological inventory and monitoring programs. The workshop covered strategies for monitoring primates like orangutans and proboscis monkeys, as well as the statistics needed to analyze results.

Refuge Volunteer Social Mallard Slough Hike and Lunch Saturday, September 9, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm* Join refuge and society staff and volunteers for a beautiful hike around the Mallard Slough Loop Trail. This five mile walk is a great way to see pond A17's progress as it turns from mudflats to salt marsh, take a glimpse of Drawbridge and enjoy the last of the summer birds before the fall migrants show up. After the hike the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society has provided a catered lunch tin he Pavilion at the Environmental Education Center. *We will meet at 10:00 am for the hike and 12:30 pm for lunch. If you plan to hike please bring / wear sturdy shoes, hat, sunglasses, and water. If you can't join us for the hike you are still welcome to join for lunch. Please bring family and friends! To register please visit Eventbrite page: https://mallardsloughhikelunch.eventbrite.com. Use the following password to get in: Mallard OR email Hope Presley at [email protected] or Genie Moore at [email protected]

Volunteer Enrichments at the EEC:


Summer Programs in Alviso

Remember our 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 questions 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

invitation and/or requests only. Join the group now! Find us at Volunteers of SF Bay NWR Complex.

Summer 2017 Page 6

Warm Springs Volunteer Opportunity

Weed Warrior Party—Warm Springs Unit

Come help us combat the fastest spreading weed in California! On Friday, August 18th, 2017 we will meet for a weed warrior party attacking stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens) at Warm Springs Unit, part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The Unit is closed to the public as a sensitive habitat of several listed species. The spread of the invasive stinkwort deteriorates the habitat quality of many species in the Unit. Hand pulling is one of the best methods to control this species. The event will run from 9:00 am till 12:00 pm. Please wear long-sleeved tops, long pants and hiking boots to minimize exposure to the plant's oils which may irritate skin. Please wear sun-hat, sunscreen and bring water. We will provide gloves and tools. Please contact [email protected] and [email protected] if you want to help.

We will provide directions close to the event day.

Weed Warrior Party

Friday, August 18 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

EEC Volunteer Orienta on

If you have an interest in wildlife and their conserva on, enjoy

working with people, and are enthusias c and dependable, the

Environmental Educa on Center’s Volunteer Program is for you!

As a volunteer, you'll receive on‐the‐job training from staff and

other volunteers in the project area you choose.

Volunteer orienta ons meet in the auditorium of the

Environmental Educa on Center in Alviso from

11:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Saturdays: June 10, July 8

Tuesdays: June 13, July 11, August 9

Volunteer Orienta on dates

Sloughs News

Don Edwards SF Bay NWR

Volunteer Help Desk Training Page 7

Day 1: Sunday, June 25

Ac vity 1: 10:00 am‐ 11:30 am

Walk along the Tidelands Trail and learn about the history

of the refuge. We will discuss how Don Edwards NWR

became established, the history of the salt ponds, and

the general rules of the refuge.

Ac vity 2: 11:30 am‐ 12:00 pm

We will walk the LaRiviere Marsh Trail and learn about

the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse, Ridgeway’s Rail and other

local species on the refuge. We will also discuss the

ongoing restora on projects currently underway at our

San Francisco Bay NWR Complex.

Lunch: 30 minutes

Ac vity 3: 12:30 pm‐ 1:00 pm

We will visit the Fishing Pier and learn about the trails

that visitors can access here.

Ac vity 4: 1:00 pm‐ 2:00 pm

We will tour the Visitor Center and learn what it has to

offer! We will also discuss the general du es we expect

our volunteers to perform.

Day 2: Tuesday, June 27

Ac vity 1: 6:00 pm‐ 6:15 pm

Learn the opening/closing procedures and daily

opera ons of the Visitor Center.

Ac vity 2: 6:15 pm‐ 7:15 pm

Visitor Center Prac cal

We’ll role‐play to help you prac ce your customer service

skills and to prepare for common ques ons asked.

Volunteer Help Desk Schedule

Volunteer Help Desk Training

Would you like to volunteer at a National Wildlife Refuge? Come on out to Don Edwards SF Bay NWR and help staff the Visitor Center Help Desk! If

interested, please attend our training session on

June 25 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and June 27 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

As part of the 2-day training workshop, we will walk the trails, discuss the history of refuge, and learn about endangered species that live here! We will also

cover the daily operations of the Visitor Center.

You must be able to attend both days!

For ques ons or concerns please call 510‐792‐0222 ext. 362

To register visit https://donedwards_helpdesk.eventbrite.com

Volunteer Help Desk Training

June 25 10:00 am—2:00 pm AND

June 27 6:00 pm– 8:00 pm

Sloughs News

Interested in volunteering for the Farallon Islands NWR? Volunteers are currently being requested to assist the refuge in the greater San Francisco Bay Area from one to two weeks at a me between May 2017 and August 2017. Volunteers will conduct work on Southeast

Farallon Island (SEFI), located approximately 30 miles offshore of the city of San Francisco.

Du es: Primary du es will be assis ng with invasive plant control u lizing a variety of methods including mechanical and chemical applica ons, record keeping, supply and equipment inventories, non‐skilled maintenance tasks on structures and equipment, and other

du es as assigned. Incumbent will work with the Refuge Manager, Assistant Manager, with partner staff (Point Blue Conversa on Science), and other volunteers. The majority of me will be spent spraying the invasive plant, New Zealand spinach, (Tetragonia tetragonioides), while working on rocky and o en steep terrain. The volunteer will carry a heavy backpack sprayer weighing between 30‐50 pounds while

wearing personal protec ve equipment (PPE) such as a tyvek suits, nitrile gloves, and eye protec on.

Work Environment: The volunteer must be able to adjust to isolated duty and to live compa bly and in close associa on with other people. The volunteer will live and work up to two weeks at a me at a remote island field sta on located on Southeast Farallon Island. Accommoda ons and chores will be shared. Work and transporta on plans are o en affected by weather factors, sea condi ons, and

limited availability of transporta on. Transporta on to the island will be by boat and can take from two to six hours depending on the type of boat and sea condi ons. Weather on the island is o en cool, windy and wet. Appropriate waterproof and cool‐weather clothing is

required. Work on SEFI includes walking on steep, rocky, uneven, and loose terrain. Bring clothes and hiking boots that may be ruined. The island hosts a large seabird nes ng colony with 13 species. Western Gulls nest throughout the island and are very noisy and aggressive. Gulls o en dive‐bomb intruders, and may defecate on or may strike them. Lightweight rain jackets (for ge ng pooped on; not provided) and head protec on (hardhat; provided) are highly recommended for fieldwork. Many bird‐nes ng burrows are sca ered around the

island and care must be taken to not step on them as they can crush easily. Habitats, nes ng birds and breeding/loafing marine mammals on the island are very sensi ve to human disturbance. Extreme care must be taken to not disturb wildlife or habitats on the island. Except

to accomplish field work, incumbent must remain on established paths or trails.

Required: You should be able to endure several hours on a boat in rough seas and leap to or from a larger transport boat to a smaller shu le boat, also in rough sea condi ons. You should be able to li 40 pounds and perform physical labor that requires extended periods of bending, kneeling, and li ing. You should have a physical ability to use varied equipment on rocky, loose and uneven terrain. Volunteers with a general knowledge of biological data gathering and techniques, wildlife observa on and basic plant iden fica on are preferred. The ability to live in a communal work and living situa on for up to two weeks at a me on the remote island is required, as is the ability to work independently and with a group. You should be prepared to work in inclement weather and to work on weekends. A strong work

ethic and the ability to work in harsh weather is essen al.

Housing and Food: Shared housing is provided at the field sta on on Southeast Farallon Island. The housing includes a bed, kitchen, bathroom, office, phone, WiFi, and other living space. Food or a s pend of $25/day will be provided.

How to volunteer: Please contact Jonathan Shore, via email or phone at: [email protected] or 510‐792‐0222, ext. 224.

Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge Habitat Volunteer Opportunity

Page 8

Saturday, August 19 10:00 am ‐ 1:00 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.

Summer 2017 Page 9

The Amazing Refuge Race

Volunteer Training is

required!

Tuesday, August 8

10:00 am ‐ 12:00 pm

or

Saturday, August 12

11:00 am ‐ 1:00 pm

Visitor Use Surveys at Bair Island Volunteers are needed to count the number of people walking or bicycling the Inner Bair Island Trail in

August. This trail is located in Redwood City. Shifts are two hours at a time. Contact Carmen Minch at [email protected] or (510) 792-0222 X 476

Sundays 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Aug 6, 13, 20, 27

Tuesdays 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Thursdays 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Saturdays 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

Sloughs News

Summer 2017 Page 10

Support Some Super Surveys! 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!!!

Thursday, August 3

Thursday, August 10

Thursday, August 17

Thursday August 24

Thursday, August 31

Thursday, September 7



Times are to be determined later

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

Credit: Susan Euing

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

— Volunteer Orientation —

Increase your quality of life with a resolution to volunteer for a good cause. Come to this presentation to see if volunteering at the Don Edwards SF Bay NWR is right for you!

Saturday, June 10 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

— Native Plants Nursery* —

Work with our nursery doing weeding, pruning, and planting. Help make the refuge more beautiful!

— Trail and Vegetation Maintenance* —

We do not want to be sitting ducks! Become an important part of our team by looking for faults and fixing them, removing invasive species, taking care of graffiti and more!

— Citizen Science* —

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

Potential Volunteer Opportunities!

*A ending Fremont Volunteer Orienta on is highly recommended

Sloughs News

Volunteer Newsletter of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife … · 2017-06-14 · Sloughs News Summer 2017 Page 2 The Volunteer Appreciation Banquet Blooms in Fremont! After Spring

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