Summer Activities Programs, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Fish and Wildlife Service

Summer Activities Programs

Scroll down for complete list of programs and descriptions

Program		Dates
	*Avian Antics	Jun 29
	*Beginning Bird Photography Workshop - Alviso	Jul 12, Aug 2
	Beginning Bird Photography Workshop - Fremont	Jun 8
	Beginning Bird Watching for Families	Jul 26, Aug 13
	Bike the Levees	Jun 14
	*Birding by Van	Jun 14
	Botanical Wanderings	Jun 7
	Community Service	Jul 19, Aug 16
	*Drawbridge - Alviso	Jul 12, Aug 23
	Edible Plants on the Refuge	Jun 8
	Exploring Owls	May 31, Aug 23
	Exploring the Dunes - Antioch Dunes NWR	Jun 14, Jul 12, Aug 9
	*Extended Wetland Expedition	Aug 10
	Family Bird Walk	Jun 21, Jul 5, Aug 9
	*Father's Day Walk	Jun 15
	Geokids	Aug 2
	*Getting Ready for Fall Planting	Aug 23
	*Habitat Hike	Jul 13
	*Intermediate Bird Photography Workshop	Aug 9
	*Just for Tots: July Discoveries	Jul 26
	*Lazy Days of Summer	Aug 16
	Let's Go Outside! - Coyote Creek Lagoon Trail	Jun 28
	Let's Go Outside! - Mallard Slough Trail	Jul 26
	Let's Go Outside! - Stevens Creek East Trail	Aug 9
	Let's Go Outside! - Ravenswood Trail	Aug 30
	*Native Species Scavenger Hunt	Aug 24
	*Night Sky Party	Jun 6
	*Ohlone Uses of Plants	Jun 7
	*Reading at the Refuge	May 31, Jun 28, Aug 23
	Salinity Sleuths	Jul 29
	South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Program	Jun 28, Jul 19, Aug 16
	Tidelands Trail Walk	Jul 5
	Trip Back in Time	Jul 19
	Twilight Marsh Walk	Jun 14, Jul 19, Aug 16
	*Wetland Safari	Jul 19
	Where Does All the Water Go?	Jul 27
	*Wonderful Wildflowers	May 25

*Trails are generally level. Surface and trail conditons vary.
Please call for accessibility information.

It is the policy of the Fish and Wildlife Service to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
If you have questions conerning programs, or if you need accommodation to enable
you to participate, please contact a visitor services staff person, either at the
Visitor Center, or at the Environmental Education Center.

*Avian Antics
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join us at the refuge as we explore the trails and attend a low-tide feast. Learn some bird trivia along the way. For instance, why do some birds eat their own feathers or which refuge bird finds a mate for life? Bring your own binoculars, or borrow one of ours! This is a quiet walk so the birds don’t fly away. Recommended for all ages. Reservations required. Call Molly at 408-262-5513 ext 104.

*Beginning Bird Photography Workshop
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
(Jul 12 & Aug 2) 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Come learn the basics in bird photography! Join us for tips on photography or for viewing commonly seen birds at the refuge. This beginning bird photography workshop will help you get the most out of your point-and-shoot camera. We will discuss ideal sighting and photo taking conditions, lighting, composition and equipment. We will also have a slide show to familiarize you with some common birds at the refuge. Our discussion will be followed by an easy walk to different locations where we will take photos. Led by Jennifer Woo. Please bring your binoculars and/or digital or film camera. Warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes recommended. Space is limited. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

Beginning Bird Photography Workshop
Visitor Center Auditorium, Fremont
(Jun 8) 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Description is the same as above. Space is limited. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call 510-792-0222 ext. 43.

Beginning Bird Watching for Families
Kelley Park next to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, San Jose
(Jul 26) 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
(Aug 13) 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Want to know what kind of bird that is in your backyard? Come learn about wild birds that live at Kelley Park next to Happy Hollow Park and Zoo. Interpretive Specialist Lindy Nice takes “Children’s Beginning Bird Watching” on the road. This a great program for families to learn about the birds they see at home. Program is free. Suitable for ages 5 and up. Reservations required. Call Vanessa Rogier at 408-277-3065.

Bike the Levees
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join Ed Kantack for an easy 5-mile bike ride on the levees. Get a glimpse of Drawbridge and see a variety of our summer birds. Helmets are required and knobby tires are recommended along with water and sunscreen. Open to all ages. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by a parent. Space is limited. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext 102 for reservations.

*Birding by Van
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Whether you are a novice or expert birder, this program is designed for people who enjoy birding but are unable to walk far. Bird watching will be done by van with some brief stops. The vans cannot accommodate wheelchairs; birders must be able to maneuver into and out of the van on their own. Join Ceal Craig as she drives you on the levees to view birds. This two-hour trip is not suitable for children. Space is very limited. RESERVATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL.
Call 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

Botanical Wanderings
Visitor Center, Fremont
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Discover the diverse summer habitats from the hilltops to the marsh. This guided walk will discuss how Native Americans utilized plants found on the refuge and some of the medicinal properties the plants contain. Led by Mansur Nur. Reservations required. Call 510-792-0222 ext. 43

Community Service
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Do you need to fulfill community service requirements? Help remove invasive non-native plants from our chemical-free demonstration gardens. Bring your own gloves or borrow a pair of ours. Tools and drinking water provided. Layers and long pants are recommended. Be prepared to get dirty and wet. Recommended for age 9 and up. Reservations required. Call Lindy 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

*Drawbridge
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
9:30 - 12:00 p.m.
There’s a ghost town in San Francisco Bay? That’s right! Nestled on an island in the salt marshes of South San Francisco Bay, the town of Drawbridge once boomed. Was it a quiet, peaceful town full of nature lovers, or a rip-roaring town full of two fisted rowdies? Enjoy a slide show program, led by Ceal Craig. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

Edible Plants on the Refuge
Visitor Center , Fremont
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Take a guided walk on Tidelands Trail and discover which plants are edible or have medicinal uses. We’ll taste some of these plants on the refuge, or in commercially made products. Led by Carmen Minch.

Exploring Owls
Visitor Center Auditorium, Fremont
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Owls have captivated human imagination for centuries. Curious about how they hunt, how they see and hear, and what they eat? Come listen to a presentation, view owl body parts, listen to their calls, and dissect their pellets to see what they eat. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Led by Paul Bridges. Reservations required. Call 510-792-0222 ext. 43.

Exploring the Dunes
Antioch Dunes NWR, Antioch
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Did you know there's a National Wildlife Refuge in Antioch? Here's your chance to explore this refuge that is usually closed to the public. This guided tour (1-1.5 mile) will focus on the wonders of Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Wear sturdy shoes for the sandy hike along the dunes. All ages welcome. No reservations required. No facilities. Contact 510-521-9624 for additional information and directions.

*Extended Wetland Expedition
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Come join us as we follow the Artesian Slough out to Coyote Creek. We will be taking a 1.5 mile walk on the salt pond levee trails to explore wetland alteration. Along the way we will develop scientific questions and test hypotheses about human impacts on wetlands. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Program may be canceled due to weather. Reservations required. Call Molly at 408-262-5513 ext. 104.

Family Bird Walk
Visitor Center Auditorium, Fremont
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Let family walks become a shared time of nature learning. We'll begin by helping kids create their personal birdwatching field guides, then head out onto the trails to find those birds. Learn about the salt marsh habitat along the way. A limited number of binoculars are available to borrow. Recommended for children ages 5-10. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call 510-792-0222 ext. 43.

*Father’s Day Walk
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Attention fathers, dads, and pops! Come enjoy a morning out with the family. Learn bird watching tips with an interactive presentation, then take a bird watching walk (easy and level). If you would like to plan a picnic afterwards, (not part of the program) there is a great spot in the pavilion outside! Reservations required. Call Molly at 408-262-5513 ext. 104.

Geokids
Visitor Center, Fremont
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
A rock in the hand is worth . . .This hands-on activity is great for kids who want to know more about why some rocks are different from others. Come along on a short hike and discover the official state rock! Led by Mansur Nur.

*Getting Ready for Fall Planting
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Are you thinking about fall planting? Want to know more about native plants? Here is the program for you! Come see and learn about native plants that not only attract wildlife and require little watering, but will add beauty to your garden. Led by June Smith. Program intended for adults, but all ages welcome. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

*Habitat Hike
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Do you enjoy exploring nature? Do you find yourself curious about where mice sleep or how birds stay dry in the rain? If so, then you may be a habitat homonid! What is a habitat hominid? It’s a person who loves learning about where local animals and plants live. Come take a walk and explore the habitats at the refuge. Along the way we will learn about wetland and upland habitats that have been human-altered. We will observe and identify plants, birds, and other animals we see on this short and easy trek. This program is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Recommended for all ages. Reservations required. Call Molly atl 408-262-5513 ext. 104.

*Intermediate Bird Photography Workshop
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Continuing where “Beginning Bird Photography” left off, this 4-hour workshop will first address aesthetic issues (e.g., advanced composition), animal behavior, and field techniques. After lunch, we will focus on technical issues (exposure, depth of field, teleconverters, flash, etc.). Some material is geared for SLR cameras, but most is applicable to any camera type. Lastly, we’ll take a short stroll in the refuge to practice what we learned. Not suitable for children. Program led by Paul Bridges. Please be sure to bring your lunch, comfortable walking shoes, and your camera. Space is very limited. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102 .

*Just for Tots: July Discoveries
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Come explore the refuge and learn all about the creatures that live in it! Introduce your wee folk, ages 3-6, to the unique marsh habitat through interactive, hands-on activities. They will experience the marsh firsthand with puppets, a craft, and a short walk. Children must be accompanied by an adult. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

*Lazy Days of Summer
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The hectic days of locating a nesting site and mating are over. Now our wildlife friends are busy raising their families. Join us in a leisurely walk around refuge habitats to observe summer living. Bring sunscreen and a hat. Open to all ages. Please call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102 to make a reservation.

Coyote Creek Lagoon Trail –5 miles, Fremont
Meet at the Trailhead in Fremont.
Directions below.
9:00 a.m.Meet new people while getting fit and healthy! This is the first walk featured in the Refuge Rambler club. This trail at Coyote Creek Lagoon is five miles, flat, and level. The walk is self-paced and you may turn back at anytime. Hats, water, and sunscreen are strongly recommended. You do not need to be a Refuge Rambler to join this walk. To become a Refuge Rambler, see page 5. No reservations are needed. A volunteer will be there to greet you at 9 a.m. For a narrative description of this trail, log on to the Don Edwards web site at http://www.fws.gov/desfbay. Directions: From Hwy 880, take the South Fremont Blvd/Cushing Pkwy exit. Drive south on Fremont Blvd on the west side of Hwy 880 until it dead ends. Meet at the parking lot on the right adjacent to 48481 Fremont Blvd.

*Mallard Slough Trail – 5.5 miles
Environmenal Education Center, Alviso
9:30 a.m.
Meet new people while getting fit and healthy! This is the second walk featured in the Refuge Rambler club. This trail at the Environmental Education Center is 5.5 miles, flat, and level. The walk is self-paced and you may turn back at anytime. You do not need to be a Refuge Rambler to join this walk. To become a Refuge Rambler, click here. No reservations are needed. Hats, water, and sunscreen are strongly recommended. A volunteer will be there to greet you at 9:30 a.m. For a narrative description of this trail, log on to the Don Edwards web site at http://www.fws.gov/desfbay.

Stevens Creek East Trail – 3 miles
Meet at the Trailhead in Mountain View. Directions below.
9:00 a.m.
Meet new people while getting fit and healthy! This is the third walk featured in the Refuge Rambler club. This trail in Mountain View is three miles, flat, and level. The walk is self-paced and you may turn back at anytime. You do not need to be a Refuge Rambler to join this walk. To become a Refuge Rambler, see click here. No reservations are needed. Hats, water, and sunscreen are strongly recommended. A volunteer will be there to greet you at 9 a.m. For a narrative description of this trail, log on to the Don Edwards web site at http://www.fws.gov/desfbay.. Directions: From Hwy 101, take the Shoreline Blvd exit and drive north 0.9 miles to Crittenden lane. Turn right on Crittenden
Lane and drive 0.4 miles until the road ends. Walk past the sign for A&Z Tree Movers and up to the Stevens Creek levee to the paved trail on the west side of the creek. Cross the bridge to the east side of the creek and turn left to the brown metal gate.

Ravenswood Trail – 5 miles
Meet at the Trailhead in Menlo Park. Directions below.
9:00 a.m.
Meet new people while getting fit and healthy! This is the fourth walk featured in the Refuge Rambler club. This trail in Menlo Park is fivemiles, flat, and level. The walk is self-paced and you may turn back at anytime. You do not need to be a Refuge Rambler to join this walk. To become a Refuge Rambler, click here. No reservations are needed. Hats, water, and sunscreen are strongly recommended. A volunteer will be there to greet you at the brown metal gate at 9 a.m. For a narrative description of this trail, log on to the Don Edwards web site at http://www.fws.gov/desfbay. Directions: Ravenswood Trail is on the west side of the Dumbarton Bridge. From the East Bay, cross over the Dumbarton Bridge and exit at the Ravenswood Unit sign. Drive east 0.3 miles on the frontage road until you see a brown metal gate and the Ravenswood Trail Sign. From Menlo Park, drive Hwy 84 toward the Dumbarton Bridge. Exit at the Ravenswood Unit sign and drive east on the frontage road. Cross under the bridge and back west 0.6 miles until you see the brown metal gate and refuge sign.

Native Species Scavenger Hunt
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The refuge is a mosaic of different habitats, each habitat supporting an array of California native wildlife. Come enjoy the outdoors as we embark on a scavenger hunt, exploring the refuge habitats and the creatures that call them home! We will get up close and personal with the salt marsh, sloughs, and salt ponds on our short and easy trek. Binoculars and I.D. charts in hand, we will identify native plants and animals. We will also learn how these wetland habitats are impacted by humans. All ages welcome. Reservations are required. Call 408-262-5513.

*Night Sky Party!
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Meet the stars of summer. Join amateur astronomer Bob Havner as we learn about constellations. Make a star chart, and then venture outside to view the night sky through a telescope while warming up with hot chocolate. Bring your own binoculars or spotting scopes if you have them. Dress warmly as it gets cold in the evening. Fun for the whole family! RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext 102.

*Ohlone Uses of Plants
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Explore the plants that were traditionally used by the Ohlone Indians. Then enjoy a guided walk in our native plant garden. Fun for the whole family. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Led by volunteer Pat Hartinger. Dress in layers. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

*Reading at the Refuge
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Come to our Education Center auditorium to enjoy a story about wildlife followed by a guided exploration outside. Fun for the whole family. This program is geared for ages 4 and up. Led by volunteer Pat Hartinger. Come rain or shine. Dress in layers. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy, at
408-262-5513 ext 102.

Salinity Sleuths
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Step into the shoes of a scientist and strap on our field detective packs for a hands-on investigation where we will collect water samples, use plant clues, and do some sleuthing around to uncover how salty the water is. You will need to bring along keen senses of taste, smell and sight to determine which plants and animals live in the refuge’s salty habitats! Recommended for ages 6 and up. Reservations required. Call Molly at 408-262-5513, ext. 104.

South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Program
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
Jun 28 (3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Jul 17 ( 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Aug 16 (11:00 - 12:00 p.m.)
Restoration of 15,100 acres of south San Francisco Bay salt ponds to wetlands habitats has begun! Join us at the Refuge's Education Center in Alviso for an overview of this incredible project. Program will begin indoors but will move outside to a view of a salt pond. There we can look for wildlife and continue discussing the Restoration Project and its goals. Access to salt pond is via an easy .25-mile boardwalk trail. Approximately 1 hour. Please call 408-262-5513 ext.101 for reservations and directions.

Tidelands Trail Walk
Visitor Center, Fremont
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Explore the Tidelands Trail with a naturalist and learn about the plants and animals that thrive in the salt marshes and uplands. Reservations are required. Call 510-792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Mansur Nur.

A Trip Back in Time
Visitor Center, Fremont
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Revive the vanishing knowledge of the history of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge grounds by strolling the trails with docent Ray Studer. Ray spent most of 2004 researching the on-site salt production, railroads, and homes that were located on the refuge grounds until the 1950s. Using a collection of old photographs, the last vestiges of a way of life can be traced back to the 1850s that led to the construction of the town of Newark
in 1876.

Twilight Marsh Walk
Visitor Center, Fremont
(Jun 14) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(Jul 19) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
(Aug 16) 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Experience the salt marsh at twilight on an easy stroll along Tidelands (1 1/3 mile) Trail. At the setting of the sun we will observe the beginning of nature's night shift. Come discover the sights, sounds, and smells of the Refuge as night descends. Not suitable for young children. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call 510-792-0222 ext. 43. Led by Mary and Gene Bobik.

*Wetland Safari
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Take a van tour around our former salt ponds and see more birds than you normally would near the Education Center. There will be several stops for better viewing and photo-taking opportunities. Plus, we will see what is left of Drawbridge. If necessary, more trips to accommodate more people can be added. Open to all ages. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 262-5513 ext 102.

Where Does All the Water Go?
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Are you curious about where wastewater goes after we flush, rinse, wash, and shower? Come enjoy a presentation about how the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant cleans wastewater. After the presentation there will be a short tour that will get participants up close and personal with wastewater and the refuge habitats involved. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Reservations
required. Call Molly at 408-262-5513, ext. 104.

*Wonderful Wildflowers
Environmental Education Center, Alviso
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Do you enjoy wildflowers, bugs, and butterflies? If so, this is the program for you. Come learn about native wildflowers and discover how insects play a major role in the life cycle of all flowers and fruits. Then take a walk through our native plant garden and enjoy a scavenger hunt. June Smith will be leading the walk. Come rain or shine. Recommended for all ages. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call Lindy at 408-262-5513 ext. 102.

*Trails are generally level. Surface and trail conditons vary.
Please call for accessibility information.

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Last updated: June 19, 2008

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