About this Event
Naturalist Patty Donald will share her knowledge of nudibranchs, mudsnails, and pickleweed--and an appreciation for the creative forces of both humans and nature. In an adventurous low-tide 2-mile walk we'll consider the stunning variety of the Albany Bulb's ecosystems including beach, mudflat, salt marsh, upland, and rocky shore. We'll explore the Bulb’s tidepools and learn about some of the 150 bird species at the Bulb, the impacts of climate change, and the complex functioning of the San Francisco Bay estuary.
We'll imagine possibilities for future citizen science projects and artist-scientist collaborations at this former construction debris landfill. And we'll think about the ways that humans and nature have interacted at the Bulb, where anonymous artists have built castles and kinetic sculptures out of found materials in the midst of dynamic ecosystems.
Please read "logistics" below for information on hazards and challenges of this sometimes slippery walk.
is an environmental education innovator who headed the Berkeley Shorebird Nature Center at the Berkeley Marina for almost 40 years before retiring in 2017. Donald taught generations of children about the ecosystems of San Francisco Bay and through the Bay Interpretive Program trained scores of adults not just in marine biology but in creative teaching methods. Her wide-ranging legacy includes Berkeley's Adventure Playground, a haven for free-range play where children (and their parents) enjoy hammering nails and building forts in a wild-looking sandlot.
She is responsible for the creation of the eco-friendly straw bale building at Shorebird Park, organized the annual Berkeley Bay Festival and helped start the Berkeley Kite Festival. A veteran of managing beach cleanups, Donald coordinated the efforts of 700 volunteers to assist with wildlife rescue when the Cosco Busan tanker spilled 53,000 gallons of oil into the bay in 2007.
Few people know the ecology of the Bulb better than Donald, who walked here each morning with her dog Tigger for many years.
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IMPORTANT LOGISTICAL INFORMATION
Family-friendly; designed for ages 8 and up. Children under 12 should come with a parent.
Please meet between 8:15-8:30am at the bathrooms near the parking lot.
We’ll start walking promptly at 8:30am--please don't be late! We will walk about two miles total roundtrip over dirt trails, algae-covered rocks and sometimes uneven and sloping ground.
IMPORTANT: We will be walking on some wobbly and extremely slippery rocks where even surefooted people sometimes get a bit wet. If you do not feel comfortable in these conditions, please consider joining a different Love the Bulb nature walk when we will be on more stable ground.
What to wear: comfortable closed-toe shoes that can get wet and muddy with good tread on the soles (sturdy sneakers or light hiking boots--no Tevas or open-toed sandals), layers, including a windbreaker (it can be very windy!), and a hat.
Synthetic fabric and synthetic or wool socks will be more comfortable and less chilly if you get wet than cotton.
What to bring: Water and sunscreen in pockets or backpack. No shoulder bags, purses, or water bottles that are not in backpacks or carriers (you'll need two free hands for maximum mobility and balance). Feel free to bring binoculars and a frisbee (for holding critters for temporary viewing).
Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Albany Bulb, 1 Buchanan Street, Albany, United States
USD 0.00
