EarthLight Local Events

Jan 4 Close to Home

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:58:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

The Delta: How Are the Local Animals Faring?

With Mike Moran (EBRPD)

Monday, Jan 4, 2010, 2009 7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

In a presentation earlier in this talk series, we learned from Ken Lajoie that the San Francisco Bay and most of the delta estuary comes and disappears with the revolving ice ages. In this month's presentation, we'll learn where we are in that cycle and how the delta/estuary ecosystem is doing, specifically the animals who live there. From all reports they were doing fine until a century or so ago when humans began changing the flow patterns of the water cycle with dams and irrigation systems. "Water policies" are now decided by legislative units, sometimes to the detriment, and sometime to the benefit of the local nonhumans.

In his entertaining presentation Mike Moran will focus on the impacts of those policies by highlighting stories that involve migratory birds, salmon, elk, beavers and other delta residents. This will not be an abstract discussion of "the water wars" but an on-the-ground view of how the locals (humans too) who make the delta their home are doing. As citizens we will be asked in 2010 to vote on some important legislation affecting the delta. Mike's even-handed presentation will help inform our decisions.

Mike Moran is a naturalist with the East Bay Regional Park District at Black Diamond Mines and is an expert on the delta. He has been with EBRPD for 15 years.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church
Oakland Museum of CA / Bay Nature magazine
Lindsay Wildlife Museum / EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. in the Montclair area of Oakland. Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east ½ mile. Parking available in lot ½ block west and on street. For more information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658 www.close-to-home.org

On Feb 8, 2010, Close to Home will have a panel of presenters on the health of our local creeks, including Alameda Creek, Marsh Creek and the 5 creeks of North Berkeley/El Cerrito.

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Close to Home Nov 9

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:17:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

Conserving California�s Birds

in a Changing Climate

Monday, Nov 9, 2009 7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Most local birds are well aware that the Earth�s climate is getting warmer. They are moving northward. According to new research from Audubon California, up to 110 California native bird species will experience significant reductions in their geographic range in the next several decades. In addition, all of the state�s bird species will experience massive range shifts caused wholly or in part by the effects of climate change.

Our presenter, Bill Monahan, is co-author of a recent report that combines 40 years of data compiled by volunteers in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count with Breeding Bird Survey information and geographic climate data. Audubon California has built predictive models for 310 California bird species under different climate change mitigation scenarios. He�ll also discuss opportunities for conserving California�s birds in a changing climate. His talk and slide show will include examples from the San Francisco Bay Area.

William Monahan received a PhD in Integrative Biology from the University of California and is now a scientist at Audubon California. He uses geographic information systems (GIS) to study the effects of past and future climate change on birds and to prioritize lands for acquisition and conservation easements.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church
Oakland Museum of CA / Bay Nature magazine
Lindsay Wildlife Museum / EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

On Jan 4, 2010, Mike Moran (EBRPD) will give a presentation on

The Water War in the Delta � Perspective at the Ground Level

(There is no talk in December)

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Close to Home Oct 5

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:59:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

East Bay Reservoirs: A Curse or a Blessing?

Monday, Oct 5, 2009 7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

How many people know where their tap water comes from, and what impact the local reservoirs have had on the environment? Discover what role our local reservoirs play in maintaining human life and wildlife close to home. Learn why reservoirs are a curse and a blessing, how they have impacted wildlife, and what species of flying wildlife they support. You will see amazing historic photos of engineering disasters as well as beautiful shots of dragonflies, birds and butterflies that depend upon and thrive because of our local reservoirs.

Naturalist and EBMUD ranger Bob Flasher will give us a brief history of East Bay water, locate all the reservoirs, take us on a virtual flight over local reservoirs from Eagle 6, the EBRPD helicopter, and tell us some EBMUD trial and error stories along the way. They attempt to mitigate the damage done by reservoirs in a variety of ways, and that allows us to continue to live here (a blessing) while minimizing the environmental havoc (the curse).

Bob Flasher is a Ranger-Naturalist who works on EBMUD watershed lands close to home. He also teaches classes on ecology and parks at SFSU. He is making this controversial presentation as an individual, however, to stay out of trouble at work.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church
Oakland Museum of CA / Bay Nature magazine
Lindsay Wildlife Museum / EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

On Nov 8, 2009, Bill Monahan from Golden Gate Audubonwill do a presentation on the impact of climate change on local bird populations.

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Sept 14 Are We Drinking Comet Water?

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:53:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

Fire and Ice: Are We Drinking Comet Water?

Monday, Sept 14, 2009 7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

And now for something a little different. In keeping with our water-themed talk season, we've invited an astronomer to tell us about water itself. Water covers more than two thirds of our planet, makes up 60 percent of our bodies, and sustains our lives and lifestyles in countless ways. Although simple H2O may seem like the most ordinary substance in the world, it's actually one of the strangest. And, funny thing, some 10 percent of the water we drink comes from outer space!

In his talk and slide presentation, Dr. Ron Olowin will explore the wonders and weirdness of wet & wild water and some of its extraterrestrial and cosmic connections. He is a full professor of Physics and Astronomy at St. Mary's College in Lafayette. His focus is the large-scale structure of the universe and he's observed the heavens from all parts of the globe using some of the world's largest instruments. He's credited with discovering clusters of galaxies.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church
Oakland Museum of CA / Bay Nature magazine
Lindsay Wildlife Museum / EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

On Sept 14, 2009, Dr. Ron Olowin(astronomer at St. Mary's College) will give a presentation on Are We Drinking Comet Water?

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Close to Home Wildcat Creek Community: Past and Present Aug 3rd

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:58:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

Wildcat Creek Community: Past and Present

Native Peoples, Plants and Animals

with Jim Hale

Monday, August 3, 2009 7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Wildcat Creek starts in Tilden Park, flowing through Lake Anza and Jewel Lake, down through Wildcat Canyon, through downtown Richmond, and into the bay near the Chevron refinery. People have lived along Wildcat Creek since 3,000 to 4,000 BP (Before Present). By that time, sea level rise had slowed, and the Bay's size had stabilized, allowing broad mudflats and tidal marshes to develop. Along lower Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks, villages began to grow as native peoples discovered the bountiful resources of plants, animals, and sea wildlife along the Bay's edge.

Wildlife biologist Jim Hale combines engaging storytelling with unique slides to educate us about what is known about early peoples and their lives along Wildcat Creek, before and after the arrival of Europeans, as well as the plant and animal communities. Find out how Wildcat Canyon and Grizzly Peak got their names. Jim has taught wildlife biology and wilderness training at San Jose State Univ and at UC Santa Cruz. He has spent almost 40 years hiking the East Bay hills, photographing wildlife and studying Native American sites. He is currently working on a study to document a community of mountain lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains .

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church
Oakland Museum of CA / Bay Nature magazine
Lindsay Wildlife Museum / EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

On Sept 14, 2009, Dr. Ron Olowin(astronomer at St. Mary�s College) will give a presentation on Are We Drinking Comet Water?

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Close to Home Creatures of SF Bay: Micro to Mega-Fauna

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:49:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

Creatures of SF Bay: Micro to Mega-Fauna

with Sharol Nelson-Embry

Monday, July 6, 2009 7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

San Francisco Bay-estuary supports an incredible array of life above and below its usually placid surface. Come explore the habitats of mudflats, rocky shoreline, oyster beds, and salt marshes along with the open water to find out more about this watery world and the animals that inhabit it. Meet whales (and hear their tales), barnacles, crusty crustaceans, water birds, leopard sharks and more.

Where in the Bay Area might you find both the smallest and the largest living things on the planet? In the ocean waters off our shore, where the upwelling of cold nutrient-rich water feeds a most spectacular gathering of wildlife, from tiny one-celled phytoplankton to 100-foot-long kelp strands to 85-foot-long blue whales. Bay Nature magazine (Oct 2007)

Sharol Nelson-Embry is the Supervising Ranger (aka Head Crab) at Crab Cove Visitor Center (EBRPD) in Alameda . She's worked in environmental interpretation since 1982 and writes outdoor columns for many newspapers.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church

Oakland Museum of CA   /   Bay Nature magazine

Lindsay Wildlife Museum /   EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. in the Montclair area of Oakland. Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east ½ mile. Parking available in lot ½ block west and on street. For more information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658 www.close-to-home.org

On August 3 Jim Hale(naturalist) will give a presentation on Wildcat Creek and Native Peoples.

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Close to Home June 8 Bay Restoration Success Stories

Tue, 26 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

Bay Restoration Success Stories with Marilyn Latta

Monday, June 8, 2009      7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

In 1965, access to the waters of the San Francisco Bay was limited to about 4 miles in separate little sections - around a bay that has a 400 mile coastline. Almost 90% of the wetlands on the bay's edge had been filled or diked. Concerned citizens and nonprofits began to turn back the tide of development in the early 1970's. There are now over 240 miles of public access. Marilyn Latta will update us on exciting new wetlands projects on the east bay shoreline, and what species are benefiting from them. Regional planning groups are enhancing connections between multiple habitats to help multiple species - from plants on the bay floor to aquatic fish to birds and mammals.

In her slide presentation, she�ll also cover progress in converting the salt ponds back into habitat for snowy plovers and avocets. Oysters and eelgrass are two native species that are considered "ecosystem engineers" and their structure provides underwater habitat in the Bay that creates important feeding areas for Dungeness crabs and many species of birds, including diving ducks, pelicans and oystercatchers.

Marilyn Latta is a marine biologist and environmental planner who spent eight years directing the community-based restoration program at Save The Bay. She now works for the State Coastal Conservancy managing the San Francisco Bay Subtidal Habitat Goals Project. She has also been a key partner in native oyster projects at the Berkeley Marina and other sites.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church

Oakland Museum of CA   /   Bay Nature magazine

Lindsay Wildlife Museum /   EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. in the Montclair area of Oakland. Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east ½ mile. Parking available in lot ½ block west and on street. For more information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658 www.close-to-home.org

On July 6 Sharol Nelson-Embry(EBRPD) will give a presentation on Who Lives in the Bay?

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Close to Home, May 4th

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:50:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide show...

History of San Francisco Bay

The Current One Is 10,000 Years Old and Leaving Soon

with Ken Lajoie (USGS)

Monday, May 4, 2009      7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Just 10,000 years ago, near the end of the last ice age, sea level was about 350 feet lower than it is today and there was no bay. The beach lay out beyond the Farrallon Islands , about 25 miles west of San Francisco.

As continental glaciers melted, the broad, low area in the Coast Ranges of Central California filled with water to form the bay. It only reached its present size in the last 2,000 years. Geologic data from deep borings beneath the south bay indicate there were at least five previous bays, each occurring during brief interglacial sea-level high stands at about one-hundred-thousand-year intervals. Within the next few thousand years the climate will begin to cool at the onset of the next ice age, and the continental glaciers will again expand, causing sea-level to fall and the present bay to drain away. At the end of the coming ice age, in about one-hundred-thousand years, sea level will again rise and form the next San Francisco bay.

The oldest archeological sites in the bay basin are about 5,000 years old, but it�s quite likely that early peoples occupied Central California at least 15,000 years ago � before the current bay existed. Ken will treat us to the big picture of our natural bay history with stories and a slide show.

Ken Lajoie is a geologist, retired from 30 years of service to the U. S. Geological Survey. He�s also an expert on episodic natural events.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Exploring Nature in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church

Oakland Museum of CA   /   Bay Nature magazine

Lindsay Wildlife Museum /   EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. in the Montclair area of Oakland. Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east ½ mile. Parking available in lot ½ block west and on street. For more information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658 www.close-to-home.org

On June 8 Marilyn Lattaof the Coastal Conservancy will bring us up to date on East Bay wetlands restoration and efforts to bring back oyster and bird habitats.

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Rainwater Harvesting Workshop

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:42:00 GMT

Videos

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May 23rd Workshop

April 25th Workshop

April 18th Workshop

March 14th Pictures

Home

Wildheart Gardens, EcoHeart Landscapes and Water Assets presents...

This is one in a series of hands-on workshops to inspire you to catch, harvest and use rainwater or install a graywater system in your landscape.

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
April 18, 2009

Register for Workshop

Class size: 12-15 people. Sign up early to ensure your spot.
Time: 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Private home in Oakland

Come learn about rainwater harvesting and how you can do it successfully in your own home very inexpensively.

This is a hands-on class where you will learn:

The principles of successful rainwater harvesting including roof water catchment and implementing simple earth works techniques.

Rainwater basics-catchment surfaces, calculations, storage and use.

How to dig a swale to catch and infiltrate rainwater from the downspout, and redirect it to the swale.

How to connect a 200 gallon rain barrel for summer watering and piping the overflow to store water in ground for fruit trees and other vegetation.

How to welcome rainwater into your landscape rather than trying to divert it away from your house!

Class time is divided equally between presentation, demonstration and lunch and a more active hands-on segment.

Come prepared to dig and get dirty!
Lunch will be served and is included in the class fee.

Facilitated by:

Christopher Shein, Permaculture Design Instructor at Merritt College and owner of Wildheart Gardens
(See www.merrittlandhort.com and www.wildheartgardens.com)

Ellen Hopkins, Permaculture landscape designer

Debbie Collins, ARCSA accredited professional in rainwater harvesting, and permaculture designer

$45 - $100 sliding scale per workshop.

Register for Workshop

Please email Debbie Collins, debra-collins@usa.net, 510-865-8385 with any questions.

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March 9, Very Close to Home Gardening

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:40:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide presentation...

Very Close to Home Gardening

           A Shared Experience

With Three Close to Home Gardeners:

Judih Frank   Tom Tyler   Stu Selland

Monday, Mar 9, 2009      7:30 P.M.

MontclaIr PresbyterIan Church In Oakland

Many of us have become aware of the negative impact that humans have had on the rest of the natural world. One small way to rebalance our relationship with all the other species is to share whatever green space we have backyard, front yard, or just a window box. A recent Audubon study reported that nearly 60% of the bird species in North America in winter are shifting their ranges northward due to climate change The decisions we make in our own yard, our little corner of the world, can play a part in the whole.

Come join us for a panel presentation by 3 members of the Close to Home community. California native and fledgling gardener, Judith Frank, will describe her experience replacing lawn and patio to add habitat for wild creatures in El Cerrito . She will tell of encounters that unexpectedly altered her perspective beyond that patch of land. Tom Tyler, a San Leandro watershed native and science teacher, will talk about how his interest in water and watershed lands inspired him to bring that story even closer to home. Stu Selland is a Lafayette photographer who has been tinkering in his yard for many years, only recently with direction. He will discuss the journey of discovery that occurs when we share our yard.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Living with Wildlife In the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

    * Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church

    * Oakland Museum of CA   /   Bay Nature magazine

    * Lindsay WildlIfe Museum /   EarthLight communIty

DonatIon: $5 (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. In the Montclair area of Oakland . Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east 1/4 mIle. Parking available in lot 1 block west and on street. For more Information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658 www.close-to-home.org

On May 4, 2009, Ken Lajoie (USGS) will give a presentation on 300.000 Years of SF Bay History

(No April talk)

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Close To Home

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:56:00 GMT

Close to Home presents a talk and slide presentation...

Shorebirds Nesting in East Bay

"Score One for the Birds" Success Story

With Joan Suzio (EBRPD)

Monday, Feb 9, 2009      7:30 P.M.

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

San Leandro Creek makes it way in the East Bay Hills down riparian corridors, yhrough culverts and under busy streets. It ends at San Leandro Bay near the Oakland Airport . The bay and its surrounding marshlands lent themselves to the creation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, a park within the East Bay Regional Park District. But not without a huge struggle over who was going to control this wonderful piece of the Pacific Flyway � the park or the port. Arrowhead Marsh, formed from silt collecting on the delta of the creek, now provides habitat and rest stops for avocets, stilts, killdeer, egrets and herons.

Come join us for a presentation by Joan Suzio, EBRPD guardian of the MLK Shoreline for 30 years. Learn about her midnight call that started 11 years of litigation with the Port Authority. She will have a slide show of the huge variety of bird visitors and residents that have made MLK home over the many years of community restoration work.

Joan Suzio is a retired Park Supervisor at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Park. She led the battle to preserve and restore the wetlands.

Hosted by: Close to Home: Living with Wildlife in the East Bay

Co-sponsors:

    * Ecostewards of Montclair Presbyterian Church

    * Oakland Museum of CA   /   Bay Nature magazine

    * Lindsay Wildlife Museum /   EarthLight community

Donation: $5 (K-12 Free)

Montclair Presbyterian Church is located at 5701Thornhill Rd. in the Montclair area of Oakland . Take the Thornhill exit on Highway 13 and go east 1⁄2 mile. Parking available in lot 1⁄2 block west and on street. For more information: Cindy Spring (510) 655-6658 www.close-to-home.org

On March 9, 2009, Close to Home will have a panel and slide show on creating a garden to share with wildlife.

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EarthLight Local Events

Jan 4 Close to Home

The Delta: How Are the Local Animals Faring?

With Mike Moran (EBRPD)

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Close to Home Nov 9

Conserving California�s Birds

in a Changing Climate

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Close to Home Oct 5

East Bay Reservoirs: A Curse or a Blessing?

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Sept 14 Are We Drinking Comet Water?

Fire and Ice: Are We Drinking Comet Water?

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Close to Home Wildcat Creek Community: Past and Present Aug 3rd

Wildcat Creek Community: Past and Present

Native Peoples, Plants and Animals

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Close to Home Creatures of SF Bay: Micro to Mega-Fauna

Creatures of SF Bay: Micro to Mega-Fauna

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Close to Home June 8 Bay Restoration Success Stories

Bay Restoration Success Stories with Marilyn Latta

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Close to Home, May 4th

History of San Francisco Bay

Montclair Presbyterian Church in Oakland

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop

Wildheart Gardens, EcoHeart Landscapes and Water Assets presents...

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop April 18, 2009

Register for Workshop

March 9, Very Close to Home Gardening

Close To Home

Shorebirds Nesting in East Bay

"Score One for the Birds" Success Story

With Joan Suzio (EBRPD)

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
April 18, 2009