We’ve Got a Secret
December 28, 2021
You may remember the beautiful pieces of art that Melinda (Millie) Whipplesmith Plank created in collaboration with Point Blue scientists back in 2020 entitled “Nursery Guardians” and “Hidden Railway” (if not take a look at our previous post here). Well, she did it again! Except this time highlighting some of our coastal work with threatened
California Rangeland Conservation Coalition 2022 Summit Photo Contest
December 23, 2021
Winners announced at the Rangeland Summit on January 24, 2022. The photo contest promotes and shares working rangeland photography and generates original photographs for use by the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition (Coalition), including Point Blue Conservation Science. A panel of photographers will determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners based on content and photo quality.
A Milestone for Science and Conservation
December 17, 2021
Point Blue was excited to see that, last night, after seven hours of presentations, expert testimony, public comment, and discussion, the California Coastal Commission voted yes (5-3 and with a few minor conditions) to find the Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to eradicate invasive mice from the Farallon Islands consistent with the California Coastal act.
Restoring the Farallon Islands
December 11, 2021
We are at a critical moment in safeguarding the future of the Farallon Islands ecosystem and the wildlife that depend on it. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, our partners in managing the islands, have a significant opportunity for ecological restoration: the eradication of the invasive house mouse from the Farallon Islands. Point
Science News: Birds in the Valley, Restoration in the City
December 6, 2021
Teaming up for Drought Response As Californians work to address the increasing threat of severe drought as part of climate change, Point Blue is playing a critical role in making sure that waterbirds have a voice at the table. Over the last three months, and continuing into this winter, Point Blue, in partnership with The
Conscious Conservation Methods: Tracking Blue Carbon and Environmental Justice at COP26
November 26, 2021
Imagine this – you started graduate school in the midst of a pandemic, and you only recently started going to class in person (socially distanced and masked, of course), but the bulk of your time has been spent on Zoom in your tiny studio. This was me. So, one could easily imagine the elation that I felt following the announcement that COP26 had the “Green Light” for our school.
Looking Back at How Good We Looked
November 26, 2021
We had a great group of Lookers looking their best in West Marin. A couple members of the team (Diana Humple and Renee Cormier) couldn’t join us in person because they were responding to the oil spill in Southern California, but they were with us in spirit and broaches (thanks Renee!). The team consisted of Maia Nguyen, Kevin Garcia, Wren Leader, Mike Mahoney, Mark Dettling, Megan Elrod, Kristy Dybala, Hilary Allen (and Brynn), Dennis Jongsomjit, and Lishka Arata, all of which are current or former Palo interns. We started birding at 4:08pm on October 10 at the bluffs above Agate Beach in Bolinas scanning the ocean for the birds of the near shore (cormorants, pelicans, gulls, murres). Within 20 minutes we had seen most of the expected species, so headed out on a walk around the nearby neighborhood.
Congratulations and Highlights from the 2021 Bird-A-Thon
November 22, 2021
Congratulations and thank you to all who participated in the 43rd annual Rich Stallcup Bird-A-Thon from September 15–October 15, 2021. Your efforts helped raise over $65,000 to benefit Point Blue Conservation Science! Over 24 teams and 99 counters spent time connecting with nature in unique and creative ways, whether remotely from varied geographic locations, individually,
Faculty Flock Photos & Bird List
November 12, 2021
Here are some pictures from the Faculty Flock’s Bird-A-Thon outing on October 14th at the Loch Lomond Marina. Also our list of sightings. A beautiful day shared with great friends! Best wishes, Patti Vance Our Bird List: Mallard Greater Scaup Surf Scoter Bufflehead Common Goldeneye California Quail Rock Pigeon Anna’s Hummingbird American Coot Black
123 Species: A Birding Breakers to the Bay by Bicycle
November 12, 2021
There was a solid gray overcast sky on the morning of October 15. I had hardly moved from my car in the parking lot above Tomales Bay State Park. It was very quiet, not a coyote howl, nor a wood rat scurrying, certainly not a Great Horned Owl hooting. It was not a good start to my Point Blue Conservation Science Birdathon.
