Regional in Nature Activity Guide JULY – AUGUST 2021
Regional Trails Vital for Recreation and Transportation. See page 4. inside • Addressing Sudden Tree Die-off, page 2 • Summer Stars in Dark Skies, page 11 • Summer Harvest Activities, page 6 • Urban Evolution in Pigeons, page 12 • Big Break Quail Crossing, page 7 • Hot-Weather Hiking Tips, page 13 Regional Park Named after Thurgood Marshall and the Port Chicago 50. See page 3. • Spiral Snake Craft, page 9 • Summer Butterflies, page 14 Contents Summertime in the Park District Summertime...... 2 Reopenings, Ribbon Cuttings, and New Park Name Thurgood Marshall Park...... 3 A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER SABRINA B. LANDRETH Regional Trails Network....4-5 Ardenwood...... 6 ummer is here, and we underground experience complete with sights and sounds Big Break...... 7 Shave some exciting news of an active 1870s-era coal mine that gives visitors Black Diamond...... 8 to share! Many of our swim a greater understanding and appreciation for the area’s facilities, campgrounds, group coal mining past. Coyote Hills...... 9 picnic sites, and visitor centers Even more exciting news is the nationally recognized Crab Cove...... 10 are open once again for the naming of the new regional park at the former Concord public to enjoy. In response Naval Weapons Station as “Thurgood Marshall Regional Del Valle...... 11 to the community’s needs, Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50” (see page 3). This we reopened these facilities Mobile Education...... 12 name recognizes the history and social justice significance as soon as possible and safely of the deadly Port Chicago explosion, the bravery of Outdoor Recreation...... 13 allowable by local health orders. the fifty men who Sunol...... 14 We are also proud to offer new and renovated facilities stood against unsafe for visitors to enjoy at Del Valle Regional Park and and unjust working Tilden...... 15 Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. The Del Valle conditions, and Visitor Center has Thurgood Marshall Volunteer Program...... 16 been renovated whose advocacy and expanded with on their behalf as completely new, an attorney for the interactive, bi-lingual NAACP led to the (English and Spanish) desegregation of educational exhibits New Coal Mine Experience the U.S. military. about the rich I hope you are as excited as we are that things are diversity of wildlife reopening. While 99 percent of the Park District’s ebparks.org that live in the Del parklands, shorelines, and trails have remained accessible Valle area and the A new Del Valle watershed exhibit during the pandemic, we are thrilled that we’ve been able important role that to reopen so many services and amenities for the public General Information Lake Del Valle plays in moving and storing water for 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757 in recent days, and that such great new experiences residents in eastern Alameda County. At Black Diamond, are available for all to enjoy. Camping and Picnic Reservations.... the new Coal Mine Experience inside the Hazel-Atlas ...... 1-888-EBPARKS Mine transports visitors back in time with an immersive See you on the trails and in your Regional Parks! Naturalist and Recreation Programs...... 1-888-EBPARKS TRS Relay Service...... 7-1-1 Addressing Sudden Tree Die-Off in Regional Parks
n late May, the Park District began a major fuels Dead standing trees are a major safety concern. They burn EBRPD Board of Directors Ireduction project in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park hotter, faster and are more likely to cast burning embers Elizabeth Echols...... Ward 1 to remove 200 dead standing trees. The trees are part of ahead of the original fire – igniting dangerous new fires Dee Rosario (President)...... Ward 2 over 1,000 acres of sudden tree die-off in Regional Parks or spot fires. Dennis Waespi...... Ward 3 first noticed in October 2020. The The Park District is taking the sudden Ellen Corbett...... Ward 4 specific cause of tree mortality and Ayn Wieskamp...... Ward 5 tree die-off issue very seriously and dieback is not currently known but most Beverly Lane...... Ward 6 is moving as quickly as possible to Colin Coffey...... Ward 7 likely is tied to the extreme drought. remove hazardous trees within its The sudden tree die-off is affecting already-permitted Wildfire Hazard many different species of trees, Reduction and Resource Management Visit ebparks.org for map downloads, activity and event including eucalyptus, acacia, bay, and Plan area. However, additional state information, and much more! pine. Other parks affected include and federal resources are needed. Anthony Chabot Regional Park and Tilden Regional Park. REGIONAL PARK AT FORMER CONCORD NAVAL WEAPONS STATION Attention Teachers Named after First Black Supreme Court Justice and Nature Lovers: Thurgood Marshall and Port Chicago 50 DIGITAL LEARNING RESOURCES AVAILABLE n Tuesday, June 1, 2021, the Park District The plan for the newly named park includes a OBoard of Directors officially named the new joint visitor center with the National Park Service Even before COVID-19, our naturalists had regional park at the former Concord Naval Weapons highlighting the history of the Port Chicago Naval developed a wide spectrum of digital learning Station “Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Magazine National Memorial and Diablo Valley, along resources for teachers, students, and the Home of the Port Chicago 50.” with staging areas, and several miles of recreational public to learn about nature in regional trails for hiking, biking, and nature viewing. The Park The naming recognizes the service and bravery of parks, including nature activities and games, the young African American sailors who served their District is partnering with the National Park Service field study videos, and virtual reality country, both by serving in the US Military during on the future visitor center in the park where the WWII, and also by standing up to the US Military’s Port Chicago Disaster story will be told, along with park experiences. stories of the land, including its military, agricultural, racially discriminatory policies of During the pandemic, many more creative, and natural history, and stories of the day. Their courage, and the diverse, and inclusive virtual programs advocacy of NAACP attorney the Chupcan people who lived there. were created in response to in-person Thurgood Marshall on their behalf, Federal and state funding are needed to ultimately led to the desegregation build the joint visitor center at the new programming restrictions. While these of the military and changed the 2,500-acre park. resources are not a substitute for visiting course of history. The Park District is currently designing nature in person, they are a great way to On July 17, 1944, over 5,000 road improvements and plans to open learn about wildlife, plants, habitats, geology, tons of munitions exploded at a portion of the park, south of Bailey conservation, history, and the Regional Parks. Port Chicago Naval Magazine, Road, within the next two to three years. killing 320 mostly enlisted African Digital Education Resources: American sailors. At the time, ebparks.org/DigitalLearning sailors were segregated and only African Americans loaded the Thurgood munitions onto the ships. Marshall The surviving sailors were ordered to return to work loading munitions at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard under continued unsafe working conditions and inadequate training. Fifty of the sailors, in an act of protest against the discriminatory policies of the segregated Navy, refused to return to work and were charged with mutiny and ultimately dishonorably discharged. Sailors marching at Mare Island. Photo courtesy NPS
Keeping Trails Enjoyable For All n 2019, the Park District Board of The Trail User Working Group IDirectors held a public workshop where stakeholders include bicyclists, a variety of park and trail users provided conservationists, dog owners, equestrians, feedback and concerns regarding trail use. hikers, land trusts managers, youths, and In response, the Park District created a members of the Park District’s Park and Trail User Working Group to discuss and Multicultural Advisory Committees and evaluate trail safety, trail connections, the Regional Parks Foundation. The group enhancements, and maintenance, as well has been working on trail improvements as policy updates to best meet the diverse since August 2020. needs and interests of park users. Learn about the Trail User Working Group’s activities at EBPARKS.ORG/TUWG Park District Naturalist Morgan Gunther 3 East Bay Regional Trails Network
Regional Trails Vital for Recreation and Transportation n the 1970s, Regional Trails Needs and Priorities the Park District Ipioneered the 1 Iron Horse Regional Trail Crow Canyon Overcrossing 5 George Miller Regional Trail to Martinez Intermodal concept of developing 2 Iron Horse Trail Extension – Concord to Benicia-Martinez Bridge Station Extension an integrated network 3 Tassajara Creek Trail Extension to Dublin-Pleasanton BART 6 Oakland SF Bay Trail Connection of paved and unpaved 4 Richmond Parkway to Wildcat Creek Regional Trail Connection 7 Marsh Creek Regional Trail Extension hiking and biking trails interlinking regional 80 680
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RAISE Grant Regional Trail Priorities 8 Richmond Bay Trail Extention – Point Pinole to Point Wilson 9 Point Molate SF Bay Trail Connection The U.S. Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with 10 Niles Canyon Railway Crossing and Safety Improvements Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program provides funding for road, rail, transit, and port projects that have a significant local or regional impact. East Bay Regional Trails 11 Niles Canyon Trail Old Canyon to Palomares are an integral part of the region’s green-transportation network and many planned 12 Niles Canyon Trail Palomares to Sunol expansion and improvement projects qualify for potential RAISE funding. Congress has dedicated nearly $8.9 billion for twelve rounds of RAISE grants for projects. U.S. Department of Transportation is currently accepting grant applications for regional trail projects. The Park District is planning to submit a grant application for up to $25 million for eight Regional Trail projects:
1 Oakland East Bay Greenway 5 Richmond Bay Trail Extension Trail Extension 0.9-mile extension of the San 0.75-mile trail extension in Oakland Francisco Bay Trail from Point under the Bay Area Rapid Transit Wilson to Pinole Point Business (BART) line from 85th Avenue to 98th Park in Richmond. (Construction) Avenue, connecting 98th Avenue to 6 George Miller Regional Trail the Oakland Coliseum/Airport BART to Martinez Intermodal station. (Construction) Station Extension 2 Oakland Bay Trail Extension 0.5-mile extension of the San 0.1-mile trail connection from East Francisco Bay Trail connecting the Oakland to the San Francisco Bay Trail. current George Miller Regional Trail (Construction) to the downtown Martinez intermodal Iron Horse Trail, Danville 3 Oakland Martin Luther King Jr. station, including pedestrian railroad Regional Shoreline Bay Trail Extension crossing safety improvements. 13 Oakland East Bay Greenway Trail Extension 0.2-mile extension of the San (Construction)) 14 SF Bay Trail at Alameda Point Francisco Bay Trail to improve 7 Tassajara Creek Trail Extension 15 Iron Horse Regional Trail in Livermore pedestrian and bicycle safety in to Dublin-Pleasanton BART a high-use industrial area. (Planning) 0.6-mile paved and 0.65-mile unpaved 16 Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail to Delta de Anza Trail Iron Horse Trail Extension – connection of the Tassajara Creek 17 Oakland Bay Trail Extension 4 Concord to Benicia Bridge Trail, including security and safety 18 Oakland Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline 0.25-mile trail extension of the Iron upgrades. (Construction) Bay Trail Extension Horse Regional Trail from Marsh 8 Marsh Creek Trail Extension 19 Iron Horse Regional Trail Sycamore Valley Road Overcrossing Drive to Imhoff Drive, including Three-mile extension of the Marsh Creek Trail from a parkway in 20 Iron Horse Regional Trail Bollinger Canyon Overcrossing safe signalized crossing and safety improvements of Marsh Drive. Brentwood to Round Valley 21 Contra Costa Canal Regional Trail Bancroft Overcrossing (Construction) Regional Preserve. (Construction) List does not include ALL Regional Trails Needs and Priorities.
Blackberry Coffee Cake Summer Harvest Makes 6 to 8 servings. Recipe ingredients ummertime is a season for harvesting the fruits of our labor and enjoying life's Ssimple pleasures, like biting into a sun-ripened berry, juicy peach, or crisp watermelon. ¨ 2 cups flour ¨ 2 eggs It is also the season for harvesting wheat to grind into flour for baking tasty treats. ¨ 1 cup sugar ¨ 1 cup milk ¨ 2 teaspoons baking powder ¨ 1 teaspoon vanilla At Ardenwood, each changing season brings its own unique pleasures, and summer is ¨ 1 teaspoon salt ¨ 1/3 cup brown sugar no exception. Fresh, ripe produce can be enjoyed straight from the field or cooked up ¨ 2 teaspoons cinnamon ¨ 3 1/2 cups blackberries in our Country Kitchen, a recreation of the seasonal outdoor kitchens used on early ¨ 1/2 cup margarine ¨ 1/4 cup flour th 20 century farms to feed workers and keep the heat of cooking out of the home. ¨ 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped ¨ 2 tablespoons butter This summer, staff at Ardenwood would like to share some seasonal favorites with you. Steps 1: Sift together first five ingredients and put in a large bowl; Activities cut in margarine until mixture looks like crumbs. 2: In another bowl, mix together eggs, milk, and vanilla. Berry Picking Field to Food Pour over flour mixture and stir until just moistened. Summer’s succulent blackberries are a Follow the journey of a wheat berry from treat to look forward to each year! Bring the farm field to your sandwich in this 3: Spread in a greased 8’ x 12’ pan; distribute berries on top. your own berry basket to Ardenwood program with Ardenwood Naturalist 4: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and butter. Mix with and gather a bunch to take home for pies, Christina Garcia. After you try separating a fork until crumbly. Add nuts and sprinkle over top of cake. cobblers, and other summertime treats. the grain by hand, you’ll appreciate seeing 5: Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Register to participate in this year’s our antique machines that aid in this berry picking by visiting ebparks.org/ labor-intensive process. Register Recipe from Just Berry Recipes: justberryrecipes.com Ardenwood. Berry picking will be offered for Ardenwood entry at ebparks.org/ to registered participants at 9:30 a.m. Ardenwood to experience this seasonal on the following Sundays: July 11, July 25, activity on Sundays July 11, July 25, Reflection August 1, and August 15. August 8, or August 22. Can you feel the summer heat in this photo? Take a deep breath and imagine the earthy smell of Ardenwood's dry wheat being cut. Listen for the rumbling of the Holt 1927 combine harvester blending with the rustling of dry wheat stalks in the breeze. Immerse yourself in the field, taking time to offer gratitude for summer’s bounty.
6 See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. Big Break REGIONAL SHORELINE e are happy to Wannounce that Big Break Visitor Center is open and providing in-person programming again. To keep everyone safe, hours and protocols may change with state guidance. Please ¨ 2 eggs check out our web page to learn more: ¨ 1 cup milk EBRPD – Big Break (ebparks.org). Finding Feathers We look forward to ¨ 1 teaspoon vanilla R ed -t ai Strolling along Big Break’s trails in the summer months, you might start to ¨ 1/3 cup brown sugar led seeing you soon! ha wk ph notice large feathers peppered among the grasses and shrubs. These feathers ¨ 3 1/2 cups blackberries oto : RS2 Phot ¨ 1/4 cup flour ography often belong to one of the park’s permanent residents – the red-tailed hawk. ¨ 2 tablespoons butter Because red-tailed hawks do not breed or migrate during the summer, and because they usually settle in places with lots of food, they have plenty Big Break Quail Crossing of energy to molt – to shed their old feathers and grow new ones. Molting is vital for birds as they rely on feathers to fly, and stay warm and dry, Nuzzled among the Oakley wetlands, Big Break Regional Shoreline so they must be able to replace old or damaged feathers regularly. is a birding paradise. The park welcomes tired travelers like the bald eagle and the white pelican to rest and feed, while it also provides vital habitat to permanent residents like our state bird, the California quail. This plump little quail is easily recognized thanks to a prominent teardrop- shaped head plume and is often seen scurrying around the parking lot shrubs – as if challenging visitors to a game of hide and seek. It is especially fun to spot this bird during the summer months, as it is often trailed Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services by a handful of puffballs with legs, its chicks. If you see multiple mature males and females in such a group, you may be looking at a rout – Photo: digitaltrails CC BY-NC-SA CC digitaltrails 2.0Photo: a mix of related or unrelated quail that raise their young together. The species seem to understand that it does indeed take a village... Although collecting is not permitted in East Bay regional parks, we invite you to investigate any feathers that you find on the Although the California trails: what do they look like and how do they feel? And quail is hearty and Quail chicks like to hide under grownups. before you put them back where you found them, please take adaptable, its population a picture to share with us at [email protected]. size has been declining due to habitat loss. We can FUN FACT: If a flight feather falls off from one wing, help it thrive in our parks the same feather on the other wing will molt too. and backyards by giving it This molting balance ensures that birds are still plenty of personal space able to take off and fly. and by landscaping with low, REMINDER: Taking of feathers, even molted native shrubbery that let ones on the ground, is strictly prohibited this shy little neighbor feel according to Ordinance 38 of the EBRPD Photo: Sharon in Llano_CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 comfortable and secure. as well as the Migratory Bird Happy quail spotting! Treaty Act.
California quail chicks. See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. 7 Black Diamond Mines REGIONAL PRESERVE
Fourth of July in the Coal Field Communities often come together to celebrate. For the residents of the Mt. Diablo Coal Field, July 4 was one of the largest celebrations of the year. Today, the Fourth of July is a day to celebrate the founding of the country and to reflect on what that history means to all members of our community. As you plan how you will observe the holiday this year, check out some ideas from history. Photo courtesy of the Phoebe Hearts Museum in Berkeley
Fourth of July picnic announcement, Antioch Ledger, July 1, 1871.
During the late 19th century, the Fourth of July was a major holiday in the towns of the Mount Diablo Coal Field. Here, George Lougher drives a parade float of local girls dressed to represent each of the states.
Fruit Cookies
Looking for something sweet to bring along on your Fourth of July picnic? Enjoy this cookie recipe from a cookbook housed in the Black Diamond archive. The White House Cookbook was published in 1900 and was donated by Norma and William Bardsley in 2009, descendants of the Hollywood and Daly families of coal country. Here in the coal field, this cookie was often made with dried, native California currants but you can try it with craisins, raisins, or currants. The recipe calls for a "quick" oven which is roughly 400 degrees while sweet milk refers to whole milk in order to distinguish it from commonly used buttermilk. We used about 2 1/2 cups of flour to have enough to "stiffen sufficiently" and baked them for about 10-12 minutes. Share your bake with us by posting a photo on our Black Diamond Mines Facebook page! Cookie Recipe: One cupful and a half of sugar, one cupful of butter, one-half cup of sweet milk, one egg, two teaspoonfuls of English currants or chopped raisins. Mix soft and roll out, using just enough floor to stiffen sufficiently. Cut out with a large cutter, wet the tops with milk and sprinkle sugar over them. Bake on buttered tins in a quick oven. 8 See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. Visitor Center Reopening Coyote Hills REGIONAL PARK We are excited to let you know that Coyote Hills Visitor Center is reopening with limited hours. We are currently offering limited capacity TSims Photo: socially distant, self-guided tours. Please check out our web page to get up-to-date hours and information: ebparks.org/parks/coyote_hills.
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake
While it is the only venomous snake you will encounter in Northern California, the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake has an undeserved reputation of acting
P h aggressively. Rattlesnakes, like o t o : all snakes, are cold-blooded G a r y and must use the heat of the N a
f i sun to warm themselves so s they can hunt and digest food. Where's the quickest place to get warm? Heat absorbing surfaces, including bike paths, roads, and rock outcroppings. To avoid any surprise encounters with one of these fantastic animals: Think like a snake! Walk around or away from snakes sunning themselves. Look carefully before placing hands or feet into rock crevices, under trees and logs, or in tall grass. These simple precautions will help keep you and snakes safe in the outdoors.
Spiral Snake Craft
Make this simple snake craft. Color the example on this page, then cut it out the along the dashed lines. Or create and decorate your own from a single piece of colored or white paper. Supplies needed: ¨ Construction paper ¨ Tape ¨ Crayons or markers ¨ String ¨ Scissors ¨ Googly eyes and glue (optional)
Steps: 1. On a piece of construction paper, 2. Draw a face on your snake 3. Cut along the spiral the snake from draw a spiral. The center of the (optional: glue on googly eyes). lines you drew. the ceiling, near a spiral will be the head, so draw an Decorate the body of your snake 4. To display: tape a length of string window, or carry it around with you oval-shaped area in the center. to look like patterned snakeskin. to the snake's head. You can hang when you walk outside. Enjoy!
See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. 9 Crab Cove VISITOR CENTER AND AQUARIUM
Common Snails of Crab Cove
hen most people think of snails, they envision the Atlantic oyster drills are predators which drill tiny holes Wcommon European brown garden snail, Cornu into oysters, mussels, and barnacles. They secrete a glandular aspersum, formerly known as Helix aspersa, munching away substance to help soften the shell of their prey, use their radula on plants in their vegetable or home gardens. The gardens to drill a hole, and then insert their tubular mouthpart, called a surrounding the Crab Cove Visitor Center even have them. proboscis, to feed on its soft tissues. Atlantic oyster drills lay However, snails are extremely diverse and very successful. vase-shaped eggs underneath rocks. They have been around on the planet nearly 500 million years! The third type of common snail is the Japanese bubble snail Snails, slugs, clams, oysters, mussels, octopuses, and squid (Haminoea japonica), introduced into San Francisco Bay in 1999. belong to a group of animals called mollusks, soft-bodied This snail is unusual as it looks inside-out – the squishy body organisms without backbones. Snails and slugs belong to the on the outside and the shell hidden inside. They can easily be Make a class Gastropoda, meaning stomach-foot, a perfect definition. found roaming about the mud – Not only do they slide around on their “foot,” but it contains just look for their slime tracks. Paper a radula which has tiny “teeth” that they use to scrape and Bubble snails lay their bright eat their food. Snails also have beautiful, varied shells which yellow eggs inside jelly-like egg Snail they use for protection. Many marine snails have a “trap door” masses attached to seaweed. Craft called an operculum which they close tightly to keep moisture Last summer we had an in. Snails that live in the water have gills, while snails that live outbreak of Swimmer’s Itch on land breathe with lungs. along Crown Beach. When the 1. Color There are over 200 water is warm, this parasite inside this native species of sometimes burrows into the pattern or snails in California, skin of people, causing an draw your but the three most itchy rash which lasts a couple own. Glue common snails found of weeks. Normally, this or draw along the edge of the microscopic parasite will burrow Japanese Bubble Snail on eyes. San Francisco Bay into the legs of animals like gulls, in the mudflat and ducks, and even raccoons. Adult parasites live in the blood of 2. Cut out rocky shore of the these infected animals, and their eggs are the snail Crab Cove Marine passed in feces, releasing larvae that along the Conservation Area search for a snail host. Once they dashed line. Eastern Mudsnail are all non-natives. find a snail, the larvae undergo growth and are then passed from 3. Wrap Eastern mudsnails (Tritia obsoleta) snails into fresh or saltwater. paper and Atlantic oyster drills (Urosalpinx One way to prevent the parasite around cinerea) were accidentally introduced from attaching is to shower off a marker, into the bay when oysters from the and dry vigorously with a towel pencil, east coast were brought to California after swimming. or finger, beginning in 1850. Mudsnails often Snails are easy to find and to curl form herds and are the “cows” of the fascinating to watch. Come look paper mudflat, grazing on diatoms, algae, for them at Crab Cove during low into a and detritus on the surface of the tide. And back to that snail in your shell mud. But they will also feed on tiny garden, put some coffee grounds shape. worms in the mud and scavenge dead around your plants to deter them fish, crabs, and other critters. They and enjoy the wonder of these often deposit their egg capsules in amazing creatures! rows on eel grass. Atlantic Oyster Drill
10 See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. T stargazing so you don’t hurt your neck. your you so don’t hurt stargazing awhile spend to you plan if chair areclining use or lay down to sure up. Be straight is that point highest sky, or the of zenith the to close away. located is years It light 25 about –only stars three these of system solar our to closest located is triangle, the in star third star. abig the is Vega, That Earth! the touch to out extend would it that big so is it Sun, our of place the took away. far Denab If very located is it star, even though bright a very is It swan! the on is it where at –look tail means and Arabic from comes Denab Sun. our as mass much as twice about has and sky the in star brightest twelfth the is Altair triangle! that form together that star bright avery has them of Each eagle. –the Aquila and harp, –the Lyra swan, –the Cygnus are triangle summer the up make that constellations three The constellations. different three from sky night the in high appear that stars bright three Triangle – Summer the spot you can if see night, adark on out you are when summer This sky. night the of beauty the enjoy and lights the off turn to time some take sunset, after place dark another Valle at or Del at camping out you are time Next towns. and cities our of pollution light the Summer Stars in Dark Skies inSummer Dark Stars sets, but usually only the brightest stars are able to blaze past past blaze to able are stars brightest the only usually but sets, sun the after night each acompanion are sky the in stars he and free star guides you can download ahead ahead download you can guides star free and be able to see stray meteors from July 17 July from to meteors stray see to able be Shower is August 9 to 13 (peaking the night night the 13 9to (peaking August is Shower August 24. There are lots of great low-cost low-cost great of lots are 24. There August of July and August, and the Perseid Meteor Meteor Perseid the and August, and July of of August 12 13), to August of you should although Saturn and Jupiter are visible for most most for visible are Jupiter and Saturn of time to your phone that don’t that phone your to time of require Internet access to use use to access Internet require and Perseid (which is important important is (which at Del Valle). Del at Planets Planets Del ValleDel REGIONAL PARK Del Valle Visitor Center Come Visit the New or just stop by and say "Hi!" say by and stop just or aprogram, for us join wildlife, about learn out, it check Come exhibits. bilingual art the of state redesigned, features It weekends. on open is Center Visitor new right), our turn and bridge, over the kiosk, the past (go park the to entrance the from lake the of side far the on Located See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. upcoming for ebparks.org/rin See
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Image: Sky Center and Observatory Mobile Education Photo: JerryPhoto: Ting
Urban Evolution in Pigeons
Urban evolution happens when plants and animals change in response t the Mobile Education Unit, we typically travel to schools and to living in cities, and these changes are passed along to their offspring. Aspecial events, and find that nature abounds everywhere in the East Bay. Some scientists are studying urban rock pigeons because they thrive in One of the creatures we meet everywhere we go is the pigeon: an urban areas, and they're learning a few interesting things! interesting animal that we humans often overlook, and even sometimes New York, New York: Blood glucose tests on city pigeons found that a frown upon. The pigeon (also known as rock dove) is one of the most high sugar diet, such as bread and other baked goods, did not give them prolific introduced species in the world. It is native to Northern Africa unhealthy blood sugar levels. and southern Europe, but now lives on every continent except Antarctica. Paris, France: A study examining why city pigeons are often dark in Scientists hypothesize that these feathered friends were our first color finds that it might be because the melanin in feathers helps pull domesticated birds over 15,000 years ago. toxic metals like zinc and lead out of their bloodstream. To their credit and success, pigeons have found a way to adapt alongside humans, and we have used their skills to benefit our needs. Their amazing flying abilities and homing instincts helped us send messages before Pigeon Word Scramble telegrams (and later, phones, and the Internet) were invented. Pigeons have helped us find shipwrecked passengers at sea. They have been trained to TEHFSREA detect cancer, and to recognize the letters of the English alphabet. They recognize themselves in mirrors, and they are even better at multitasking than us humans! So the next time you encounter a flock of pigeons outside your house or SGWNI school or office, tip your hat to these clever, resourceful adventurers who have been our neighbors and helpers for millennia. WLCSA What did the bag of chips say to the angry pigeons? Answer: "I don't want to ruffle any feathers." What does a pigeon with sunglasses on say? ALTI Answer: "Coo man coo." What is a pigeon’s favorite poem? Answer: A hai-coo KAEB I asked my pet pigeon what he thought of my new shoes. Answer: He said, "They're coo." JOKES
Photo: JerryPhoto: Ting Answers: Feathers, Wings, Claws, Tail, Beak Tail, Claws, Wings, Feathers, 12 See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. Outdoor Recreation
Eight Tips for Hot-Weather Hiking
Check the Weather – On the morning of your hike. Be prepared! Start Early and/or Finish Late – Set your alarm and finish your adventure before the heat of the day. Note the hottest time of the day is generally around 3 p.m. Wear Layers and Cover Up – Wear light colors and appropriate fabrics to wick moisture from your skin. Be sure to wear a sun hat with full coverage to prevent overheating. Drink Plenty of Fluids – Always bring plenty of water for your outing. Two liters is recommended for adults. Eat Salty Snacks – This will help keep your electrolytes in balance. Take Regular Breaks – Pull up a patch of shade. Take a well- deserved rest in the shade. Choose Your Trail Wisely – When planning your outing on warm days, consider shaded trails or “Easy” hikes found in the Trails Challenge 2021 Guidebook. Also consider the list of shaded and easy- level Regional Park trails listed below. Know the Signs of Heat Stroke – Symptoms include nausea, muscle cramps, bad headache, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, and lack of sweating, even when temperatures are high. When planning your outing on warm days, consider “Shaded Trails” or “Easy” hikes found in the Trails Challenge 2021 Guidebook.
Shaded Trails in EBRPD to Consider Hiking on Warm Days
• Tilden Park...... Wildcat Gorge Trail • Huckleberry...... Huckleberry Interpretive Loop Trail • Tilden Nature Area...... Sylvan Trail • Anthony Chabot...... Big Bear Loop and Bird Trails • Reinhardt Redwood...... Stream Trail
For a list of easy and flat trails generally 1 to 3 miles in length, or 1-2 hours to complete, visit the Trails Challenge web page: ebparks.org/TrailsChallenge
Hikers enjoy the shade of redwoods in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Oakland Photo: GaryPhoto: Crabbe See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. 13 Sunol Wilderness REGIONAL PRESERVE Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta) Summer Butterflies Naturalist Event Calendar
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK @SUNOLREGIONALWILDERNESS Beauty at its Peak Don’t use Facebook? Discover our naturalist activity site A wide diversity of butterfly species abound during the warm and register for programs by visiting: ebparksonline.org summer months. Wild Wonders – Weekends in July 10 and 18, August 14 It may seem as though we are seeing the same butterflies and 22, 2 p.m. over and over in our east bay parks, but the reality is more complicated and interesting. Most adult butterflies live two to Wildness Awaits! Discover the wonders of the wilderness three weeks at most. With common small species, the first females through exploration and activities. Great for families and to emerge in spring or early summer lay eggs that will soon hatch. all ages. Registration only. The caterpillars grow rapidly and pupate, and another batch of adults West Coast Lady Nocturnal Journal – August 21, 7 p.m. – Explore the park appear. This means there may be three or more generations in these (Vanessa annabella) after dark as you learn techniques for nature journaling warm summer months. at night. Join a naturalist for this guided stroll along the Camp Ohlone Road as the sun sets. Make nighttime Climate Impacts discoveries as you record your sightings along the way. There has been a decline in butterfly populations, particularly at lower elevations. Registration only: Limited space available, masks Some Bay Area species have already gone extinct while others are threatened. and distancing required. The reasons for their decline are complex. Shorter summers often mean Recommended supplies: paper/journal, pencil, fewer generations of butterflies. headlamp, other coloring materials. Helping From Home While planting native milkweeds can Butterfly or Moth? be extremely beneficial to monarch Butterflies rely mostly on sight and Moth antennae are often feathery, have thin, clubbed antennae. Moth to increase their surface area. antennae are never clubbed. Some male moths can smell females miles away!
HEAD ANTENNAE
Kotolo Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa) butterflies, planting non-native milkweeds may do more harm than good. Non-native milkweed species may act as a physiological trap for monarchs during the fall and spring migrations. Choosing to grow plants native to your region will encourage normal monarch migration patterns and contribute to their natural life cycles. Visit calscape.org to discover which milkweed species are native. Activities • Create a bat box • Grow native plant species • Make a bee or butterfly ‘bath’ • Use pesticide alternatives by putting rocks and water like diluted soaps and natural in a shallow dish plant oils, like cedar oil, to deter pests ABDOMEN THORAX
14 See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. Tilden NATURE AREA Ode to the Odonata
Happy 300 million and oneth birthday Dragonfly! You haven’t changed a bit (well a little, but not too much). Still with the four wings that scatter sunlight as you skim and twist and hover. Still your all-seeing compound eyes composed of thousands of tiny eyelets, the chagrin of Argus Panoptes. Still patrolling waterways, hunting, and seeking, a summer synonym, a Dragon!
You have seen so much in your lifetimes! Remember when you watched reptiles arise from amphibians, take to the land, only to become giant dinosaurs? That was funny. And how about that time when plants finally invented flowers? I wish I could have been there. Oh, and humans. They sure put their stamp on the Earth, huh? They did give you poetic names though, like skimmer and darner, pondhawk and dasher, meadowhawk and spiketail.
Dragonfly, Thank you for your flair and dash and dance and hawk. You will always have a place in the heart of summer. Photo: Anthony Fisher Anthony Photo: – Naturalist Anthony Fisher
Summer Time Whose Baby is That? WORD SEARCH MATCH THE LITTLE FARM ANIMAL WITH ITS BABY
Cow Piglet
Goat Chick
Pig Calf
Sheep Kid BARBECUE HIKE SHADE ? BEACH HYDRATE SUMMER BIKE PICNIC SWIM CAMPS PLAY VACATION Chicken Lamb FUN POOL WATER
See ebparks.org/rin for upcoming programs. 15 Volunteer PROGRAM
2950 Peralta Oaks Court Oakland, CA 94605-0381 ebparks.org VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: The Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol
he East Bay Regional Park District offers many kinds of volunteer Tactivities to our communities! One of our programs, the Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol (VTSP), is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for volunteers to work with the Park District’s police department.
Members of the VTSP are frequent and enthusiastic visitors to our parklands who enjoy riding and hiking Park District trails and interacting with the public. Members receive training They are dedicated to preserving the safety of the public and care for the East in all facets of park user Bay Regional Park safety and are charged with District's natural a duty to Observe, Educate, and historical Report ... and Enjoy. The resources. Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol promotes safe and courteous There are five park and trail use by Park different patrol District visitors. Patrol groups you may members seek to create and see on the trails: maintain positive relationships the Volunteer among trail user groups and Mounted Patrol, love being the face of the the Volunteer East Bay Regional Parks. Bicycle Patrol, the Volunteer Hiking It takes a lot to be a member Patrol, the Companion Dog Patrol, and of the Volunteer Trail Safety the Volunteer Marine Safety Unit. Also, Patrol. Each member must attend each group can support our search and rigorous training sessions and rescue team! maintain a series of certifications to demonstrate their abilities for These folks are our eyes and ears on the required tasks. But it is also the trails, observing and reporting safety a wonderful opportunity to get issues, incidents, and emergencies to to know park staff, and learn about park staff and police. They truly love how exciting these careers can be! interacting with – and educating – visitors about Park District resources, If you want to learn more about the programs, facilities, and rules. The Volunteer Trail Safety Patrol, or find volunteers will often assist at Park out how to apply to become a member, District sponsored public events. please visit us at ebparks.org/VTSP. 16