Bay Nature
A new quarterly magazine dedicated to the intelligent and joyful
exploration of the natural places of the San Francisco Bay Area
and the species that inhabit them.
Coyote
Ridge: Treasure of the Santa Clara Valley
Imagine a place of sweeping vistas, singing grass, wildflowers,
eagles, falcons, coyotes, but few people. All this within view
of the third largest metropolis in America. All this two
miles from an interstate highway. The hills on the eastern side
of the Santa Clara Valley, known collectively as the Diablo Range,
are made up of a rock known as serpentinite.
Don
Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Field trip information. Bring your class to one of the nation's
largest urban wildlife refuges for your next field trip. It's
fun, it's interesting, and your students will remember what they
learn at the refuge for years to come. (Official
site back up.)
How
to Learn More About the Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregion
A long list of places that can help you learn more about nature
in this fascinating hiking region.
San Francisco
Bay Wildlife Society - Whats Happening
Plan to join the expert guides on a walk through a natural area.
Walks every weekend somewhere in the Bay Area.
San
Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education
Center
Located in Alviso, within bicycling distance of Milpitas, the
Center provides opportunities for wildlife study and recreation.
Species
& Habitat
Endangered Species Listings Accelerate. In all, there are 162
rare species in the County, or rare species that may be affected
by projects in the County, including 11 plant species that are
locally extinct. Silicon Valley
Environmental Partnership.
Sunol
Regional Wilderness
Guided science and nature walks in Little Yosemite.
Wildlife Center of Silicon
Valley
A rehabilitation and release facility. We care for injured, sick
and orphaned wild animals. 2650-B Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95111,
408.283.0744
Youth Science Institute
A natural science museum serving Santa Clara County in Northern
California with three sites, the Youth Science Institute focuses
on the delicate interrelationship of people with the natural
world. the Nature
Center at Alum Rock Park is a favorite with youngsters.
Bobcat
A bobcat was seen January 6 in the backyard of a home on Skyline
Drive. It had killed a stray black cat, and riled the homeowners'
dog.
The
Coyote
A pack of coyotes can frequently be heard howling in the east
hills. A pack of coyotes is frequently seen and heard in Ben
Rodgers Park, where they raid the garbage cans and terrorize
pets left outside at night.
Endangered
Animals of California
18 endangered species, some which reside in the marsh lands around
San Francisco Bay.
Feral
Swine
There are wild pigs in the east hills and in some of the regional
parks ringing Silicon Valley.
Living
with California Mountain Lions
Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. But once
in awhile, Milpitans living along the east hillside have spotted
one in their back yards.
San
Francisco Garter Snake
The beautiful San Francisco garter snake, officially listed as
an Endangered Species, has the misfortune of living in one of
the most densely-populated areas of the country. Now extinct
within San Francisco, its largest surviving population resides
just south of the city, adjacent to San Francisco International
Airport.
Tarantula
Tarantulas found in Milpitas are quiet creatures that live in
burrows. Their bite is no more dangerous to people than the sting
of a bee. Their size and hairiness, however, can give people
a fright.
Western
Diamondback Rattlesnake
These serpents should be considered armed and dangerous with
a well-developed fang and poison delivery system.
Seen other wild animals within the city or in the hills?
Contact your web host, Ann
Zeise.