Read about what's blooming at Richardson Bay.
| The tell-tale signs have arrived at long last: delicate blossoms on trees, jungly fields of too-tall grass, and eggshells under the feet of new nestlings encourage us all to unwind and enjoy the spring. With life teeming everywhere this time of year, there couldn't be a better opportunity to get outside and explore the treasures of the rich landscapes — both macro and micro — of the Bay Area. It's a perfect time to dust off your citizen science skills, reconnect with the community, and simply admire the harmony of spring. Get familiar with some of the best citizen science resources for your springtime adventures here. | | | | |
| House Finch. Deborah Roy / Audubon Photography Awards | | | | |
| With more than a fair share of winter showers, Bay Area residents are now relishing in the opulent explosion of wildflowers all across the region. Not in the mood to face the congestion of eager tourists vying for a glimpse? Luckily, the gardens at Richardson Bay are flaunting a lush superbloom of their own with many of the same annual natives that can be seen across the state. Emily Daane has the scoop on superblooms, both at the Center and beyond. | | | | |
| Superbloom in Southern California. John Fowler / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) | | | | |
| One in every four bites of food we enjoy is thanks to bees, who pollinate 75% of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we produce for agriculture. Every bud and blossom you see this spring is inextricably linked to pollinators like the yellow-faced bumble bee, who play a critical role in maintaining floral diversity. Though they may be tiny, their environmental impact is mighty! | | | | |
| Yellow-faced bumble bee on coyote mint. John J. Kehoe / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) | | | | |
Spring is a time of abundance, but it is also a reminder that excess can be detrimental. International Dark Skies Week, which was celebrated mid-April, emphasizes the impairment caused by light pollution to both animals and humans. Turning off non-essential lights at home and in our cities and enjoying the bliss of a truly dark sky will reveal that the night skies are bursting with beauty, just like our gardens during this time of bounty.
Read more about Audubon's Lights Out Program here. | | | New York City. Kevin Deamandel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) | | | | Earth Day is also celebrated in April, but it has increasingly become a day where we are inundated with advertisements for greenwashed products, encouraged to 'shop smart' and become better consumers. Instead, try committing to doing less — in some cases, as little as you can! Celebrating the Earth by resisting mass consumerism is one way to ensure a future where we can enjoy lush springtimes for many years to come. Get tips on how to celebrate Earth Day everyday with simplicity. | | | A tern monitoring program volunteer. Luke Franke / Audubon | | | | | |
| As we observe the growth of plants at Richardson Bay, it invites us to reflect on how the Center itself grew into what it is today. The gardens, greenhouse, native seed library, and Sanctuary would not exist if not for the heroic and bold efforts of conservationists at the crux of the fight for environmental protection in the mid-1900s. The historic Lyford House also owes its scenic view to these visionaries — did you know it was built in an entirely different place and moved by boat to its location today? Longtime Tiburon resident and Richardson Bay steward Carolyn Kohler recounts the hard-fought battle for the Bay in this historical article. | | | | |
| The Lyford House. Archives / Audubon | | | | |
| Thank you for your continued support of Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. Visit us weekdays from 9-5 and for our monthly bird walks on the second Thursday of every month. | | | | |
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