SCVAS field trip leaders
Field Trips: Bringing people to birds
Backyard Bird Writer
Are you a backyard birder who loves to write? We are looking for someone to write blog posts on the Western Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler or House Sparrow. These articles will complete our Backyard Bird series mostly written by Dave Zittin. He is moving on to other volunteer opportunities.
Required: SCVAS member
Self-Guided Field Trip Writers 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. In particular, we are looking for new guides on Pacheco State Park and Rancho Cañada del Oro.
Required: SCVAS member
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! To get you started, we can provide mentors and shadowing opportunities. You don’t need to be an advanced birder to lead; you’ll be successful by organizing an enjoyable walk at an interesting location.
Ages 18 & up, intermediate birding skills; SCVAS member
Please contact Eve Meier at fieldtrips@scvas.org for more information.
Education Docents: Engaged in the environment
Wetlands Discovery Program Docent
Do you love nature? Do you have experience with students or a passion for sharing an appreciation for the environment? We're looking for docents to be available on weekday mornings to volunteer in schools and lead field trips for the Wetlands Discovery Program. Volunteers teach students grade 3-5 about local wetlands, adaptations, and migration in the classroom and out in the field in this program, all while sharing their love of local birds. Minimal birding and education experience required. All volunteers must be fingerprinted, submit proof of a negative TB test, and submit a county vaccination record.
New volunteers will be shadowing experienced docents through the month of October.
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.
Register here to be notified of upcoming tabling events.
Conservation Corner
Important state bill to control light pollution
SCVAS is a sponsor of AB 2382, Light pollution control (authored by Assembly member Alex Lee and joined by Senator Ben Allen) which aims to reduce light pollution on state government properties. Please watch for alerts, we may need all our members to ask the Governor to sign this bill.
Action Alert: Sargent Ranch Quarry
Comments on the Environmental Impact Report for the Sargent Ranch Quarry are due September 27. SCVAS will submit comments, and if you would wish to add your own, directions for writing comments are provided on the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band call for action (or contact advocate@scvas.org).
Rally for Juristac on Saturday, September 10th, 1:00-4:00 p.m., on the plaza in front of the County administrative building at 70 W. Hedding in San Jose.
Please consider signing the Juristac petition.
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.
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, September 7.
Ages 12 & up with parent participation, some birding and eBird experience preferred.
Contact programs@scvas.org with interest/questions.