Park E-ventures Newsletter Archive

The Ravens of Hawk Hill: Intelligence, Play, and Social Behavior

On any visit to Hawk Hill, you might notice the resident common ravens (Corvus corax) hanging out on fencing, sitting on platforms, or acrobatically tumbling through the air. 

Ravens belong to a taxonomic family of birds called the corvids, which also... more >>

Little Changes, Big Problems? Why Phenology Matters

With an unseasonably warm and dry winter, spring appears to have come early for many Bay Area flowers. While these displays are beautiful, their early arrival may indicate significant changes in climate or long-term weather patterns. The study of phenology holds the key to unmasking the consequences that climate change... more >>

Muir Woods’ Boardwalk Empire Expands

Muir Woods is a peaceful place of wonder. The parking lot and visitor center welcome visitors to explore the remarkable coast redwood trees. Once inside the woods, the Main Trail’s boardwalk leads visitors deep into a gentle valley ringed with old-growth trees. One such ring of old-growth trees, Founders Grove,... more >>

Feeling Proactive in a Time of Drought: Don’t Panic, Plant Natives!

Even though Mother Nature was kind enough to turn the waterworks on in mid-February, California continues to be affected by a severe drought and the recent rains may not be enough to reverse the trend.

According to dendrochronology, or the dating of past (climactic) events by measuring tree ring growth, trees... more >>

Climate Change and Our Shifting Sense of Place

From March 28-29, participants in the upcoming BioBlitz will be racing throughout the Golden Gate National Parks to survey the area’s biodiversity by finding and identifying as many species of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms as possible. During similar events around the country, observers are discovering that... more >>

Beyond BioBlitz: Project WISE Youth Bring Science to the Parks

Just two weeks before the BioBlitz in the Golden Gate National Parks, the Crissy Field Center’s Project WISE (Watersheds Inspiring Student Education) program will hold their annual Environmental Science Symposium. On March 19 and 20, Advanced Placement Environmental Science students... more >>

Bioblitz: Test Your Species Spotting Skills

On March 28–29, you can join expert-led teams at sites all across the Golden Gate National Parks for a historic Bioblitz—a 24-hour event in which volunteers count as many birds, insects, fish, mammals, lichen, and other organisms as possible!

Organized by... more >>

Hope for Oakwood Valley: Project Uncovers Young Oak, Bay Trees

Oakwood Valley is home to the largest naturally occurring oak/bay woodland in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Unfortunately, the health of the oak and bay trees is threatened by the rapid expansion of invasive eucalyptus and acacia trees, cotoneaster, and French broom. Sudden Oak Death and wildfire due to... more >>

Native Plants for the Not-So-Hallmark Holiday

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Bleeding hearts are beautiful,
Do you think so too?

For those of you who do not buy into the whole sweetheart theme of Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of wonderful native plants that just might agree with you. Though their common names may not inspire... more >>

Muir Beach: A (Parking) Lot Has Happened!

Muir Beach is now open! We invite you to come explore the restored landscape and see the brand-new facilities for yourself. This opening marks the end of a multi-year project aimed at restoring the ecosystem processes of Redwood Creek. The parking lot was realigned to allow the creek channel to... more >>