Help us introduce adults and kids to nature

Help us introduce adults and kids to nature

ByGGBA

Experience the fun and fulfillment of introducing people to the birds and wildlife all around us! We’re holding volunteer trainings over the next few weeks for two docent programs and our Eco-Education program:

Burrowing Owl Docents. Docents provide public education and conduct citizen science work on over-wintering Burrowing Owls in Berkeley and possibly other locations. Training happens just once a year for this program that runs October through March. Training is on Saturday, September 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Berkeley.

Birding the Bay Trail Docents. The Bay Trail in Richmond is rich with shorebirds and waterbirds from the fall through the spring.  Trained docents share information on the Bay Trail and birds that can be observed locally. Training is on Wednesday October 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the GGBA office in Berkeley.

Eco-Education volunteers. Help introduce elementary school kids to nature, during field trips led by our award-winning expert Eco-Education staff.  Choose to volunteer in San Francisco, Oakland, or Richmond. Choose one of the following trainings, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on:

  • September 23 at MLK Shoreline in Oakland.
  • September 27 at MLK Shoreline in Oakland
  • September 29 at Pier 94 in San Francisco.
  • October 5 at Point Pinole in Richmond.
  • October 7 at Pier 94 in San Francisco. 

Questions? RSVP for the docent trainings to Noreen at nweeden@goldengatebirdalliance.org by September 5th.

Or RSVP for an Eco-Education training to Anthony at adecicco@goldengatebirdalliance.org. 

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Fall 2015 Gull is available
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Fall 2015 Gull is available

ByGGBA

Gull_Fall15The new edition of The Gull newsletter for Fall 2015  is now available online. Read it to learn about how Golden Gate Bird Alliance  is fostering the next generation of conservationists through our Eco-Education program.

Also get the scoop on birding at Coyote Hills; the annual fly-in of Vaux’s Swifts at McNear Brickyard in San Rafael; and our work on bird-safe buildings and wildlife protection in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

And of course it includes the calendar for our Speaker Series in October and November, as well as info on our 2015 Christmas Bird Count.

Click here to read it:  Gull_Fall15

Note: Because this is a large file, it may take a minute or two to download. Be patient.   🙂…

Share your love of birds: volunteer!

Share your love of birds: volunteer!

ByGGBA

Want to share your love of birds and nature with other people ? Volunteer with Golden Gate Bird Alliance’s youth or adult education programs in 2015-16!

We’re holding trainings during September for volunteering with either our award-winning Eco-Education program in elementary schools, or our Burrowing Owl docent program in Berkeley.

Eco-Education

Eco-Ed student learns to use binoculars / Photo by Eva GuralnickEco-Ed student learns to use binoculars / Photo by Eva Guralnick

Our Eco-Ed program works throughout the school year with low-income elementary schools in Oakland, San Francisco, and Richmond, providing classroom instruction and field trips. We need people to help during weekday field trips to local parks with 3rd through 5th graders. No prior experience is necessary – just a love of nature and children. You can choose the city and dates to fit your schedule.

Join in the fun this coming school year by attending one of our upcoming trainings, which run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Choose ONE of the following sessions:

  • Thursday Sept. 3 at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond
  • Wednesday Sept. 9 at Arrowhead Marsh, MLK Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland
  • Monday Sept. 14 at Pier 94 in San Francisco
  • Tuesday Sept. 15 at Point Pinole in Richmond

To sign up for a training or for more information, contact Anthony atadecicco@goldengatebirdalliance.org.

Click here to see what it’s like to go on an Eco-Ed field trip!

Burrowing Owl Docents

Burrowing Owl docents introduce passersby to the small population of owls that overwinter at Cesar Chavez Park along the Berkeley waterfront. Docent training happens just once a year. This year’s training is on Saturday September 26 in Berkeley.
Docents monitor with the goals of:
  • Protecting the over-wintering Burrowing Owls and encouraging their propagation.
  • Educating the public about the presence of Burrowing Owls and the need to protect them and coexist with them.
  • Encouraging the protection of grassland bird species.
  • Helping these charismatic little owls stimulate public interest in bird conservation.
  • Collecting data on Burrowing Owl numbers and their human visitors.
Docents commit to shifts of an hour or more, at least once every two weeks from October through March. To sign up, email nweeden@goldengatebirdalliance.org.
Docent Doug Donaldson helps a park visitor spot Burrowing Owls / Photo by Ilana DeBareDocent Doug Donaldson helps a park visitor spot the owls / Photo by Ilana DeBare Eco-Ed Director Anthony DeCicco and students at Point Pinole / Photo by Eva GuralnickEco-Ed Director Anthony DeCicco and students at Point Pinole / Photo by Eva Guralnick
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Make this your year to volunteer for birds

Make this your year to volunteer for birds

ByGGBA

Ever thought about volunteering to help Bay Area birds and wildlife? This is the perfect time to turn those thoughts into action!

Golden Gate Bird Alliance is seeking volunteers for the upcoming season of our Eco-Education and docent programs. No experience needed — we’ll train you.

Photo by Ilana DeBarePhoto by Ilana DeBare

Birding the Bay Trail docents

Help passersby along the Bay Trail sight and appreciate the birds of the East Bay shoreline.

  • Commitment: Two hours per month between September and March.
  • Training:Wednesday Oct. 1, from 6 to 8 pm at the GGBA office in Berkeley.​

Burrowing Owl docents

Educate people about the Burrowing Owls of Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley, and monitor their safety and numbers.

  • Commitment: Two hours per month between September and March.
  • Training: Saturday Sept. 27, from 9:45 am to 3 pm in Berkeley.​
Photo by Pipi Ray DiamondPhoto by Pipi Ray Diamond

Eco-Education volunteers

Assist our award-winning Eco-Ed staff as they introduce San Francisco, Oakland, and Richmond elementary school children to wildlife and ecosystems of their communities. No prior teaching or birding experience is needed.

  • Commitment: One to two schooldays per month during the school year.
  • Trainings: Monday Sept. 22 at Point Pinole, 9 am to 2 pm, OR
  • Monday Sept. 29 at Pier 94 in SF, 10 am to 3 pm, OR
  • Wednesday Oct. 1 at MLK Shoreline in Oakland, 9 am to 2 pm.

Click here to learn more about Eco-Ed volunteering, or email Marissa at mortegawelch@goldengatebirdalliance.org to sign up for an Eco-Ed training.

Email Noreen at nweeden@goldengatebirdalliance.org to sign up for Bay Trail or Burrowing Owl docent training.

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What our current volunteers say about the experience:

 
I am always surprised how eager people are to learn about the birds and share their experiences with us.
 — Inger Coble, Birding the Bay Trail docent  
 
Eco-Ed gives me a chance to share my love of natural history with students and parents, as well as to support urban school districts
— Diane Scarritt, Eco-Ed volunteer
 
I love watching the eyes of the kids as they light up, then hearing ‘wow’ and ‘awesome’.   I hope that first look through the scope at an otherwise hidden bird is the introduction to a life connected to the outdoor world.  
— Marty Malec, Burrowing Owl docent
 
It’s really fun to see people take delight in getting a close look at birds, especially if they walk this path regularly but haven’t really seen the birds with whom we share the area.
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Share your love of nature

Share your love of nature

ByGGBA

Love birds? Want to share your love with others? As fall approaches, we need volunteers to work with kids in our Eco-Education program and to serve as docents along the East Bay shoreline.

No prior experience needed — just a love of birds and nature. We are offering several training sessions in September. Here are the opportunities:

Birding the Bay Trail Docents. Help walkers, bikers and others using the Bay Trail to identify and appreciate the birds of the Richmond shoreline!  Docents are asked to commit to volunteering once a month for two hours from October through March. Docent training will be held on Tuesday, September 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For questions or RSVP, contact Noreen Weeden at nweeden@goldengatebirdalliance.org.

Burrowing Owl Docents. The Burrowing Owls of Cesar Chavez Park are avian celebrities. Help park users sight  and understand these winter visitors. Docents are asked to commit two hours every two weeks. Training will take place on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For questions or RSVP, contact Noreen Weeden at nweeden@goldengatebirdalliance.org.

Eco-Education Volunteers. Accompany our award-winning Eco-Ed staff as they lead 3rd through 5th grade classes on field trips to creeks and the bay. Help kids observe local birdlife, collect and study plankton and invertebrates, plant native plants, and learn about our Bay Area environment. No extended commitments necessary — every effort helps!

Eco-Ed trainings will take place on Thursday Sept 12 and Saturday Sept 14 in San Francisco, and Thursday Sept. 19 and Saturday Sept 21 in the East Bay. (Your choice.) Each session runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Bring a lunch! For information and RSVP, email Eco-Education Director Anthony DeCicco at adecicco@goldengatebirdalliance.org.

Eco-Education program in the field / Photo by Anthony DeCicco…

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