A Bird's Eye View by Mike Stiles
I would say that most birders have a keen interest in the natural world, and those who have been at it a long time are acutely aware of the price some birds have paid for human intervention. Habitat loss, pollution, and the outright reduction or elimination of certain species are noticeable facts, so the green birding idea was embraced heartily by hundreds of birders from around the world. We hope our carbon free birding can offset some of our guilt for jumping into cars or onto a plane to chase a rare bird. Read More
Elfin Forest Activities by Jean Wheeler
Saturday, February 6
The volunteer work party known as the "Weed Warriors" will meet from 9 a.m. to about noon. Anyone is welcome to join in and help pull obnoxious invading weeds and work on projects to reduce erosion. Wear comfortable sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, and park at the north end of 15th Street in Los Osos, avoiding driveways and mailboxes. Read More
Eye on the Estuary by the Morro Bay National Estuary Program
The Morro Bay watershed and estuary supported a thriving population of threatened steelhead trout in years past. Restoring the local population of this magnificent ocean-going fish is one of the goals of the Estuary Program as well as a measure of a healthy watershed. It requires work on many fronts including designing bridges and culverts to allow fish to move freely; ensuring healthy riparian, or streamside, vegetation that keeps the creeks cool and supports the aquatic food chain; preventing excess sediment in our streams, which harms juveniles and buries clean spawning gravels; and maintaining the flow of freshwater itself. Learn More
Let's Go Green by Lawson Schaller
Waterless toilets are growing in popularity and are quite practical for many applications. There are a number of people I know who have composting toilets and like it. They feel they are doing the right thing by not using potable water to flush waste and also avoid the costly traditional treatment methods associated with waste water. They safely and responsibly compost it right on site. Read More
Observations of a Country Squire
I squire three acres in San Luis Obispo County. Husbanding the land also offers overseeing wildlife biodiversity. Sensual feasts abound. Although numerous birds and miscellaneous insects migrate seasonally, many creatures inhabit the local countryside throughout the year. One perennial species, the gray tree squirrel, constantly crisscrosses the acreage, accepting my rear deck as simply another branch to traverse from tree to tree. High strung, mischievously clever in their maneuverings, they offer delightful interludes. Read More
Ocean Creatures
Living on rocks in tide pools and crevices from Alaska to Baja California in the intertidal zone to about 60 feet, these elegant flowerlike animals, have a tube-shaped body crowned with tentacles, and are about 2-4 inches in diameter. Read More
State Parks Events
Please join us on Monday, March 8th in Sacramento for our 8th Annual Park Advocacy Day and help us make a difference for our state parks! Over the last seven years, this event has helped to heighten awareness of the need for state park protection and share with policymakers the importance of state parks to all Californians. The powerful showing of support made by Park Advocacy Day participants last year helped stop the Governor’s FY 09-10 budget proposal to eliminate General Funding for California’s state park system, which would have resulted in the closure of up to 220 state parks. See What Else Is Happening
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