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Docent Training
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Become a Docent of the Martin Griffin Preserve. Learn about the natural history of coastal West Marin and inspire a love of nature in the children you'll teach. Training starts September, orientations in June and August. Contact Raquel Ximenes for more info. |
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Seen Recently
|  St. Helena fawn lily
Defined by the California Native Plant Society as "fairly endangered in California" because its worldwide distribution is entirely in Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties and never far from where those three counties touch, Mt. St. Helena. Found on the Mayacamas Mountains Audubon Sanctuary and the Modini Ingalls Ecological Preserve, both within view of Mt. St. Helena.
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Pond turtles at the Cypress Grove Research Center
Recent rains have reduced their sunning spots to only a few, causing a friend's back to become prime real estate. photo: Kim Greene
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Thanks,
Mill Valley Market | | We'd like to say thanks to our friends at the Mill Valley Market, who support ACR through the Shop & Give program. Next time you are at the market, mention ACR and they will donate 2% of your receipt to the ACR mission, which they have been doing for years. What nice folks. |
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Come explore with us
Opportunities to visit Audubon Canyon Ranch
Martin Griffin Preserve
There's lots to see and discover at the preserve this weekend. Come explore with us, and maybe you'll witness the return of the first egrets of the season! We can barely take our eyes off of the skies. more info
Bouverie Preserve
Guided Nature Walks
Saturday springtime docent-led hikes on ACR's nature preserve in the Valley of the Moon.
April 14, April 21, May 5, May 19
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Where are the birds? Are they late?
We posed this question to our science staff regarding the Great Blue Heron and Great Egrets' return to the Martin Griffin Preserve. Here are their answers:
- They're not particularly late. Last year the first egg was laid on April 4, and the average for the last ten years is March 27. The latest date for the first egg on record is April 30 in 1977. They are a little bit more late than usual this year, so far only by less than a week. Early April seems pretty reasonable for Great Egrets' arrival given past years.
- In 2011, we had no birds in the trees for the last weekend in March. By the second weekend in April, there were 35 nests. Today there are many egrets on Bolinas Lagoon, next to Volunteer Canyon. We've had a couple egrets fly up Picher Canyon.
- There is a lot of variation throughout the region, but Great Egrets do seem to be coming in slowly at other sites. They just showed up this weekend north of ACR's Cypress Grove Research Center and within the last week on San Pablo Bay. There are a couple sites in Marin County with no Great Blue Herons so far this year (Inverness Park and Sand Point). But we don't think there's any cause for concern at this point.
- The cliff swallows came back to Picher Canyon (of Martin Griffin Preserve) in force this week!
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ACR presents A Science Salon
Extremophiles: Life on the edge
Saturday, April 14, 2012 Salon 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Reception to follow
The Bouverie Preserve of Audubon Canyon Ranch
"Extremophiles" are organisms that thrive in environments that are at or beyond what most people consider the limits of possible life...too hot, too cold, too deep, too high, too dry, too toxic. The study of extremophiles that live here on earth can inform us about the origins of life here and guide our search for life elsewhere in the universe.
Speakers
Dr. Peter D. Roopnarine, California Academy of Sciences
Dr. Carol Tang, Lawrence Hall of Science
Dr. David Kavanaugh, California Academy of Sciences
Tickets $25.00
($20.00 for ACR Members at Sponsor level or above)
Purchase tickets by April 9 at RSVP@egret.org or 415.868.9244
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Point Reyes Birding and Nature Festival
April 27-30, 2012 Check out this birding fest with classes hosted over 4 days throughout West Marin, including opportunities for families. Among the presenters this year are ACR staff and collaborators John Kelly, Sarah Millus, Len Blumin and Rich Stallcup. We're especially excited about Rich's program called Farming Birds by Growing Habitat, a family-friendly collaboration with STRAW and the Martinelli Ranch...a great opportunity for kids to get inspired by one of the region's top birders and nature educators!
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The Art of Eating
Please join us for tastings of local food and wine, live and silent auctions, and special culinary selections from Women Who Change the Way We Eat The Art of Eating Sunday, June 3, 2012 1 pm - 4:30 pm
The Bouverie Preserve Get involved: - Buy a ticket
Visit www.egret.org and click on the Art of Eating logo - Volunteer
Large events like this are a community effort! It is our hope that with the commitment of our sponsors and our volunteers, we can double the amount of money raised this year. All of the proceeds of the event benefit ACR Education Programs. Volunteer opportunities are available on Friday, June 1, Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3 and range from helping with set-up and décor, to greeting our guests and answering questions, and helping with food and auction service. Interested? Contact event planner Laurie Vermont.
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Audubon Canyon Ranch 
415.868.9244 Audubon Canyon Ranch protects nature through land preservation, environmental education and conservation science. |
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