Meet the birds at Lake Merritt!Migrating birds are here! See which winter visitors are currently at Lake Merritt, the nation's oldest wildlife refuge. A naturalist from the Rotary Nature Center will lead a short walk along the lake. Learn about the Pacific Flyway and how to identify some winter migrants as well as year-round ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Saturday, 12/10/16
Solar Energy Training: Free Workshop on How to Install Rooftop PV SystemsJoin others who are interested in helping save the environment one rooftop at a time! This workshop is offered by SunWork (SunWork.org), a Bay Area nonprofit that installs rooftop PV systems on small-energy-footprint homes (those that use less than $100/mo, excluding electric vehicles). You'll learn the basics of rooftop solar ...
Where: San JoseCost: free
Winter Arts & Nature Celebration Celebrate the season and winter solstice by creating beautiful arts & crafts, observe the rhythms of the season with winter waterbird watching, and get inspired with nature-based entertainment for families and people of all ages. For more information, email ACR Education Program Coordinator Eileen Shanahan or call 415.868.9244, ext. 116. ...
Discover the Science in the Industrial Art with our live demonstrations in glass blowing, foundry pours, enameling, blacksmithing, neon and more! Dozens of leading artists, craftspeople, and Crucible faculty members will be selling their best hand-made pieces in a holiday celebration of local creative culture. With works of glass, metal, wood, ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE
Trekking the ModelJoin a Ranger guided tour of the Bay Model, a 1.5 acre hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay and Delta. Discover the stories of the two major operations that took place at this location between 1942�"2000.Â
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Bird Watching for BeginnersIn this beginner’s program, we will go over the use of binoculars, how to use a bird guide, and identify the birds we see on the trail. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Wear comfortable shoes. A limited number of binoculars are available to borrow.  Heavy rain cancels. Led by ...
Where: FremontCost: Free
Jazz Under the StarsCome peer through our telescopes and see craters on the Moon, the visible plants, star clusters, and more while we listen to CSM's very own KCSM Jazz 91 FM. Dress warmly.  Free parking in Marie Curie Lot 5.  Directions here.
Where: San MateoCost: Free
Sunday, 12/11/16
Documenting Wildlife on the Mayacamas Come and spend the morning with ACR Volunteer, Docent and Wildlife Camera Specialist Ginny Fifield to learn about some of the wildlife that inhabits the Modini Mayacamas Preserves. We'll learn about identifying field signs of mountain lions, bobcat, coyotes and more. We will also visit two wildlife trail cameras, where ...
This month we wrap up 2016 with a special Marine Science Sunday highlighting our Seal and Sea Lion Superstars of 2016. In 2016, The Marine Mammal Center rescued many California sea lions, elephant seals, harbor seals, and endangered fur seals and Hawaiian monk seals. In fact, in the Spring, we ...
Come explore the rolling hills of Fernandez Ranch in north Contra Costa County. We'll look for chanterelles, boletes, and a variety of visually stunning fungi. Damon Tighe, a local amateur mycologist will help find and identify whats popping and discuss the role of fungi in the ecosystem.This hike is moderately ...
Discover the Science in the Industrial Art with our live demonstrations in glass blowing, foundry pours, enameling, blacksmithing, neon and more! Dozens of leading artists, craftspeople, and Crucible faculty members will be selling their best hand-made pieces in a holiday celebration of local creative culture. With works of glass, metal, wood, ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE
FIELD TRIP: The Sea Forager's TourLearn how to fish for Monkey Faced Eel with author Kirk Lombard. Take a trip to the rocky shoreline to learn the when, how, and where to find this interesting fish.
Where: Pacific GroveCost: $30 General, $25 Members
Lecture: The Sea Forager's Tour GuideEmbark on a coastal adventure with Sea Forager tour guide, sustainable fishmonger, and author of The Sea Forager's Guide to the Northern California Coast, Kirk Lombard. Learn all about the sustainable delicacies waiting to be hooked and harvested at your local beach. Lombard will also sign copies of his book ...
Where: Pacific GroveCost: $5 General, Free for Members
Monday, 12/12/16
Meet the birds at Lake Merritt!Migrating birds are here! See which winter visitors are currently at Lake Merritt, the nation's oldest wildlife refuge. A naturalist from the Rotary Nature Center will lead a short walk along the lake. Learn about the Pacific Flyway and how to identify some winter migrants as well as year-round ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Is Climate Denial Destroying Our Planet?The majority of Americans agree climate disruption is a major concern. The Paris Climate Agreement has been ratified by 61 countries and counting, which so far represents 47.81 percent of the world’s emissions. So we all agree, climate change is the biggest problem humankind has ever faced? Not so fast.Here ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: $20 General, Free for Members, $7 Students
King Tides at Fitzgerald Marine ReserveJoin your nature journaling friends at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach CA to explore the exposed rocks during the king tides. The low tide of -1-2″ will reach its lowest at 3:16 PM. The best tidepooling will be in the hour before the low. There will be great stuff exposed ...
Where: Moss BeachCost: Free
“Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future†with Dr. David GrinspoonFor the first time in Earth’s history, our planet is experiencing rapidly accelerating changes prompted by one species: humans. Climate change is the most visible and our current behavior threatens not only our own future but that of countless other creatures.As we stand at this pivotal juncture, Dr. Grinspoon calls ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: $12 - $50
Tuesday, 12/13/16
Unlocking the Secrets of Nearby Exoplanets with the TESS MissionThe Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will discover thousands of exoplanets in orbit around the brightest stars in the sky. In its two-year prime survey mission, TESS will monitor more than 200,000 bright stars in the solar neighborhood for temporary drops in brightness caused by planetary transits. This first-ever spaceborne ...
Where: Mountain ViewCost: Free
Natural History of Lake MerrittDive into Lake Merritt's past with this easy walk near the water's edge. We'll talk about the past and present ecology of the area, and how Lake Merritt has changed over the years.Â
Join park staff and docents for a tour down the Point Bonita Trail, through the hand-carved tunnel and out to the Lighthouse.We will walk along a half-mile trail, which is steep in places.Arrive early as parking is limited. Meet at the Point Bonita Lighthouse trailhead.Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.Limited ...
Where: SausalitoCost: Free
Trees of Lake MerrittWhat's that tree? Do you know the difference between a giant sequoia and a coast redwood? How about a turkey oak and a valley oak? Join us for this introduction to the trees around the Rotary Nature Center and Lakeside Park. We'll talk about trees native to Oakland as ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Geminids Meteor ShowerChabot's observatory deck will be open for the Geminid Meteor shower. Our astronomy experts will be on hand to answer your questions and help you catch a glimpse of the brightest meteors in the night sky. *Visibility is subject to weather conditions.
Where: OaklandCost:
Wednesday, 12/14/16
River Otter Snow Days at Aquarium of the BayThere’s snow in the forecast at Aquarium of the Bay! Join the Aquarium each Wednesday throughout December as biologists add over 1,000 pounds of snow to the river otter habitat, and experience the merriment first-hand as Shasta, Baxter, and Ryer romp and roll in this fun and festive addition of ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with admission
Discover Marine Life at Lake Merritt!Did you know that organisms from all over the world make their home in Lake Merritt?Naturalists from the Rotary Nature Center will guide you through a hands-on experience with marine invertebrates that live on the boat docks. Come learn about sea squirts, sponges, flatworms, bubble snails, and more! We'll talk ...
Where: OaklandCost: FREE! $20 suggested donation.
Three talks at Romberg Tiburon CenterJeyna Perez (Cohen) Comparative Phylogeography of Leptasterias spp. in the Pacific Northwest Alma Ceja (Stillman) Modeling the future distribution of an intertidal zone inhabitant Jennifer Souther (Stillman) Petrolisthes cinctipes and the deathly shallows: the effects of increased density on porcelain crab individuals in a community setting
Where: TiburonCost: Free
The Gold Rush in Space: the Risk of Mining AsteroidsThe rush is on to mine asteroids for precious rare earth metals like platinum and gold. Last year, President Obama signed into law the US SPACE Act of 2015 granint property rights to materials that US companies mine from assteroids, the moon and other celestrial bodies. With no public debate ...
Where: Santa RosaCost: Free
Geminids Meteor ShowerChabot's observatory deck will be open for the Geminid Meteor shower. Our astronomy experts will be on hand to answer your questions and help you catch a glimpse of the brightest meteors in the night sky. *Visibility is subject to weather conditions.
Where: OaklandCost:
Thursday, 12/15/16
Walk to honor Sylvia McLaughlin at a King TideSee a newly re-contoured portion of Eastshore State Park, talk about a future of rising sea levels during a King Tide, and honor Save the Bay founder Sylvia McLaughlin on her centenary on this special walk. Berkeley Path Wanderers, Citizens for Eastshore Parks, and Friends of Five Creeks are sponsors. ...
Many complain that we are mesmerized and divided by technologies as they saturate our world--that we are becoming disembodied, fragmented, distracted from the present moment and from one another. In this talk, Isbister presents research games created in her lab that explore enhancing social connection through technological augmentation. Her work ...
Where: Palo AltoCost: Free
The Future of Healthcare conferenceAttend Hello Tomorrow San Francisco on December 15th to hear inspiring talks, learn about the latest technologies in healthcare, new methodologies to improve patient care, and discuss the most pressing challenges we will have to tackle. Join us in our beautiful and historic jazz venue in the heart of the Fillmore district ...
Where: san franciscoCost: $25 - $50
Conversations About Landscape: Climate, Carbon, and the Changing ArcticIncreasing levels of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere are dramatically altering our planet’s climate and environment. By far the most rapid changes are happening near the North and South poles. Join us for a polar perspective on climate change research as we converse with scientists working north of the Arctic ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free, RSVP required
Everything Matters: ChlorineCorrosive chlorine is an element of extremes: a deadly poisonous gas with powerfully disinfectant properties. Learn how lethal chlorine leads to lifesaving sanitation. Hear chlorine’s complicated history, from bleaching agent to antiseptic to weapon of war, and discover its essential role in our biology. Pauli Gray and Emily Newman of ...
Where: San FranciscoCost: Free with admission to After Dark
