Things To See And Do On The Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge While Your Friends Are At Burning Man

While people are observing wildlife of another sort at Burning Man, come to the refuge to see the local wildlife on your own or on a guided program.

1. We Don't Burn Our Art

USFWS

Craving art? You don't need to go to the desert for that. At the Environmental Education Center in Alviso, view Michele Guieu's art exhibit that illustrates the trash found around the San Francisco Bay . Meet the artist Oct 1 in a program that has you turning litter into art. More info at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Don_Edwards_San_Francisco_Bay

2. You Can See Feathers on Real Birds, Not Costumes

Michael Lufting

The migration of raptors has begun! Walk on the refuge trails in Fremont or Alviso to see if you can find the Bay Area's most abundant raptor, the Red-tailed Hawk with their distinctive feather patterns. Binoculars are available for borrowing at the Visitor Center.

3. Want a euphoric high? No problem. Go on a nature walk!

USFWS

Raise your endorphins naturally by going on a guided Healthy Parks Healthy People walk this Saturday, September 3 at 10:30 a.m. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/don_edwards_san_francisco_bay/event/NatureWalk4Health.html

4. Prefer crowds? You may get one when hiking the Alviso Slough Trail in Alviso, CA.

Jerry Ting

More and more birds are beginning to arrive on the refuge. Recent reports claim 12,000 western sandpipers and 1,400 red-necked phalaropes are hanging around the ponds adjacent to the Alviso Slough Trail. Go to http://www.fws.gov/refuge/don_edwards_san_francisco_bayl for trail maps.

5. You'd Rather See Wild Mammals

Ambarish Goswami

If you're still hankering to observe some wild mammals other than birds, the antics of the refuge's ground squirrels are sure to be entertaining.