Field Trips: Bringing people to birds
Field Trip Leaders Hey Birders! Have a favorite birding spot that you’d like to share with others? Consider joining our team of volunteer field trip leaders. We have a lot of fun! And, we provide all the resources that you need to feel confident such as co-leads, shadowing opportunities and access to SCVAS birding classes.
Wondering where to lead? We are looking for more people to lead short casual beginner bird walks in easy to access urban parks such as McClellan Ranch, Ulistac, Almaden Lake, Vasona, Villa Montalvo or Cuesta Park. These can start later in the morning or after lunch if you’d like. We also need leaders for regular beginner friendly Palo Alto Baylands walks. And, we always need leaders for the harder to reach parks such as Coyote Lake, Monte Bello and Joseph D Grant.
Host for Palo Alto Baylands Drop-in Events Host a scope and birdwatching station at Palo Alto Baylands. You and 1 to 2 other volunteers will set up a scope at a well trafficked area with loaner binoculars and handouts, and give the passers-by looks at the birds and hopefully, inspire a love of birding. You choose the date and time, and how often to host these events.
Self-Guided Field Trips Do you have a favorite birding place that would make a great self-guided field trip? We are looking for more submissions. This task does not require any technical skills besides email, it only requires a love of your location and basic birding knowledge. We will make the maps for you, collect any bird photos you need, and even take the location photos.
Guides needed are Pacheco State Park (including where the county lines are), Rancho Cañada del Oro, Sanborn Main Entrance, Uvas Canyon and Rancho San Antonio.
Self-guided Field Trip Advisors We like to keep the self-guided field trips up-to-date as possible but sometimes trail conditions change. You’ll read through the guide of your choice, take the trip, and then report back with any updates. Bonus points for also doing a SBB/Facebook post on your outing.
Please contact Eve Meier at fieldtrips@scvas.org for more information.
Naturalists Needed: OSCSP
Explore the Coyote Valley with us! The Oak Savanna Community Science Project is a three year project funded by the Open Space Authority to bring the community into nature and introduce high school students to community science at the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area.
Curriculum Consultant: SCVAS is looking for a current or recently retired science teacher at the high school level to help us develop our curriculum for the coming school year. Volunteers will work with the education committee to help develop accessible curriculum for introducing students to field biology and community science within the oak savanna ecosystem.
BioBlitz Naturalists: On June 25, 9am-12pm SCVAS will be holding our third BioBlitz in the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area. Naturalists will be asked to help guide groups of 5-10 people in exploring the site and helping document sightings using iNaturalist.
Ages 14 & up with parent participation, familiarity with native species (of any taxa) and iNaturalist preferred.
Monthly Bird Surveys: Wednesday morning, once a month, 7:30-11am. Birders survey transects in the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area, making special note of breeding and nesting birds. This site is closed to the public and has been the location of birds like the Tri-colored Blackbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Lawrence's Goldfinch! The next survey will be Wednesday, June 8.
Ages 12 & up with parent participation, some birding and eBird experience preferred.
Contact programs@scvas.org with interest/questions.
Outreach Opportunities: Introducing birds to people
Tabling Volunteer: From time to time SCVAS takes part in local festivals, allowing us to interact with the public and introduce them to both our organization and our love of birding. We're looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers interested in sharing their understanding of SCVAS and birds with the public in tabling events throughout the year. Typical volunteering shifts are three to four hours, and take place primarily in the fall. Upcoming events include Sunnyvale's Library Outdoor Expo on June 18, and several opportunities with Veggielution in San Jose this summer.
Reach out to our Outreach Committee Chair, Ann Hepenstal with interest here.
Environmental Advocacy: Get involved in your community
Palo Alto Baylands and Byxbee Park SCVAS advocacy program is looking for Palo Alto residents to join us in protecting birds and habitat at the Baylands and Byxbee Park. Please contact shani@scvas.org if you are available to help.
June Ballot: Vote NO on Measure A in Santa Clara County Valley Water (AKA Water District) has placed on the June Ballot a misleading measure. Asking “Shall the measure amending the Santa Clara Valley Water District Ordinance 11-01 to limit Board members to four successive four-year terms be adopted?” Board members are currently limited to three successive four-year terms, so a yes vote would extend rather than limit the term limits. SCVAS recommends a NO vote on Valley Water ballot measure A. AB 2382: Light Pollution Control California State Assembly Member Alex Lee has introduced a bill (AB 2382) to reduce light pollution and promote better health and safety for birds, humans, and nature. If passed, the bill will reduce future outdoor light pollution on buildings and structures on State properties. SCVAS is a sponsor of AB 2382 and we are working with Lee’s legislative team to help make this bill a law! You can read the text here.
Cupertino: Help Restore the Blackberry Farm Golf Course to Nature! Cupertino is asking community members to share their opinions on their preferred future use of the Blackberry Farm Golf Course site. This property is near the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS). Cupertino is considering two alternatives
A. Minor Repairs to the Existing Golf Course
B. Restore the site to natural habitat with trail facilities. Previously, there was a strong response from residents in favor of restoration to nature
Change is hard, so the city needs to hear from all of us!
1. Please respond to this short survey and ask Cupertino to Restore the land to its natural habitat.
2. There will be a Virtual Community Meeting Monday, June 6 at 6:30 pm. Register Here.
Reasons for restoring nature:
Option A: Golf Course Minor Repairs and Improvements
1. Golf Courses use much more water in a time of growing drought than the natural habitat.
2. It currently costs $500,000 a year to maintain a large area for a relatively few residents. Repairs will reduce this subsidy, but not eliminate it.
3. The overall grass used for playing golf is a “food desert” for wildlife.
Option B: Conversion to Natural Habitat
1. The restored natural area will use less water than the golf course, especially after the first 3-8 years of irrigation to establish the trees and plants.
2. This will be a place to plant native trees, shrubs and grasses which provide habitat for birds and other species, and support biodiversity as recommended in Cupertino's Climate Action Plan.
3. There are grants available that will reduce the amount of City funding required for maintaining natural habitat.
4. Children need to learn about nature first hand. Many popular outings and courses at Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society at McClellan Ranch grew during the pandemic, and will continue to grow.
5. Our region is becoming more urban. We must restore a piece of wildness for wildlife, our children and the future of our environment.
Speak out for restoring nature! Learn more here.
Nature Shop: Helping feed the birds
SCVAS is looking for reliable volunteers to help run the nature shop on an as-needed basis. Volunteers are responsible for answering basic birding and wildlife related questions for the public over the phone and in person, entering sales in the Nature Shop, filling and cleaning the feeders and bird baths, and helping with the occasional mailing. Volunteers must be active SCVAS members.
Contact April Austin at scvas@scvas.org for further information.