An important moment for conservation on the Farallon Islands
July 2, 2019
Just over fifty years ago, biologists from Point Blue Conservation Science (known then as Point Reyes Bird Observatory) landed on the Farallon Islands for the first time. We have maintained a continuous presence on the islands ever since: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A year after arriving, the South Farallon Islands became
Science News: Water, Beef, Cormorants, and more
June 12, 2019
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is expected to transform the landscape in California’s Central Valley as stakeholders in each groundwater basin work together to draft groundwater management plans. Severe over-pumping of groundwater has led to dropping water tables and sinking land, threatening water supplies and infrastructure, including roads and canals. Click to read on.
A Guide to Climate-Smart Meadow Restoration
June 4, 2019
This handbook provides restoration practitioners with guidance to incorporate climate change considerations into the planning and design of Sierra Nevada meadow restoration projects. Project planning worksheets included.
10 Questions and Answers with our New CEO
May 3, 2019
It is with great excitement that we officially welcome Manuel “Mani” Oliva on his first week of work as Point Blue’s CEO. Over the coming months, there will be a variety of opportunities for you to meet Mani, but in the meantime, please read on to get to know him a bit! You can also
Science News: Sea Level Rise Planning, Ensuring Safe Science, and more!
April 30, 2019
Better Science for Better Sea Level Rise Planning Most climate change projections forecast at least 10 inches (25 cm) of sea level rise in California within 30 years. At every high tide, this could mean flooded areas where 37,000 people live and 13,000 people work, affecting $8 billion in property value. This is already a
Celebrating Dave Shuford
April 29, 2019
Dave Shuford, known to many as “Shuf,” retired at the end of March after 40 years of advancing conservation science at Point Blue.
San Mateo Wetlands: How will wetland benefits change with rising seas?
April 25, 2019
In a new report, Point Blue Conservation Science, in partnership with the County of San Mateo’s Office of Sustainability, the California State Coastal Conservancy, and local stakeholders, evaluated multiple benefits of tidal marshes along San Mateo County baylands in terms of supporting tidal marsh biodiversity, reducing wave energy hitting the shoreline, and keeping carbon stored
Point Blue is Wired in the Wild!
April 11, 2019
Modern technology is revolutionizing the ways we understand and protect the natural world. Whether monitoring elusive wildlife from space or taking a “microbe’s-eye view” on ranchland soil, Point Blue scientists are making novel use of technological advances to assess the health of our planet so that we can develop the most effective solutions to the
Introducing Our New CEO
March 21, 2019
Dear Friends, We are thrilled to announce that, after an extensive national search to find the best possible next CEO for Point Blue, we have hired Manuel “Mani” Oliva to lead the organization as we continue and grow our climate-smart conservation science work. Mani is joining Point Blue with more than 25 years of experience
Science News: Penguins, Drones, Citizen Science, and More!
February 26, 2019
New Penguin Science We’re putting cutting-edge technology to work for conservation. In Antarctica we’ve recently been using drones, environmental sensing devices, tiny video cameras, and satellite imagery to increase the pace and scale of our conservation science. Our ultimate goal is to get a better idea of how wildlife (namely, penguins) in one of the
