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| Fall Newsletter November 2023 | | | | |
Fall has always been characterized as a time of prosperity here at Richardson Bay — the wintering ducks have returned from their northern nesting grounds, milkweed plants are strewn with monarch chrysalises, and fall leaves blanket the ground in a quilt of brown and orange. In a place so rich with natural beauty, it's easy to take abundance for granted, but we are more grateful than ever for the sanctitude of the Center. We've been taking full advantage of the incredible natural gifts Richardson Bay has to offer — check out our Instagram to see all the cool things we've been up to lately!
As we approach the end of a year in which the Center has welcomed much positive change, we'd like to take a moment to share our gratitude for the community that has lifted us up time and time again. We couldn't do the work we do without you — we are so thankful for you! To read up on ways to get involved or help preserve the natural beauty we are so lucky to have, click here. | | | | |
| Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Mick Thompson / Audubon | | | | |
| The holiday season emphasizes connection with our loved ones and reminds us of the importance of nurturing close relationships with our friends, family, and community. When, however, was the last time you asked yourself about how connected you are to the food you are eating? It's our pleasure to introduce our new community conservation fellow Lily Melendez with her poignant essay about the traditions, languages, invisible ties — and yes, foods — that connect us to each other and to those who came before us. Sovereignty is not something reserved for the holidays, but rather a conscious, consistent commitment to challenging the status quo, and one of the best ways to do so is to embrace community wholeheartedly. | | | | |
| Canada Goose. Priscilla Morris / Great Backyard Bird Count | | | | |
| Ever caught a glimpse of a hummingbird's iridescent feathers and thought for a moment that it looked as if it was on fire? You wouldn't be the first! The Coast Miwok tribe that calls this land home has long honored the animals that reside here, integrating them into their traditions, beliefs, and stories. This special Creature Feature highlights some of the animals that are most prominent in Coast Miwok mythology, including a coyote that turned water into land, a robin that formed the sun, and a hummingbird that brought fire to mankind. | | | | |
| Coyote. Joshua Tree National Park / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) | | | | |
| If you were standing on the shore of Richardson Bay and all of the water suddenly disappeared, you'd be able to see an aquatic pasture carpeting the seabed — a field of lush grass fit enough to host a rollicking game of Thanksgiving football. Eelgrass literally underpins the entirety of the Bay ecosystem, and just like your picky cousin at a holiday dinner, eelgrass is very particular about what it likes. The conditions required for eelgrass to thrive are hard to come by, but luckily, Richardson Bay boasts Goldilocks conditions for this fastidious plant. | | | | |
| Great Blue Heron foraging in eelgrass revealed at low tide. Susan T. Cook / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) | | | | |
| Walk Thanksgiving dinner off with us at Richardson Bay! Native plant walks are back and will be led by Community Conservation Fellow and native plant savant Lily Melendez. Plant walks were the single most requested event in the last newsletter's survey, so we included two dates! Join us on November 28th from 11-12 or on November 30th from 4-5 and get to know the biology and ecological benefits of native plants to help you grow them at home. Before you go, be sure to collect seeds from our Native Plant Seed Library to kickstart your garden! Sign up today! | | | Bartel Grasslands, Illinois. Luke Franke / Audubon | | | | The Audubon Youth Leaders program kicked off its 10th year this fall and boasts the largest cohort of interns to date! 17 students from 6 different high schools are joining us this year for our paid, hands-on conservation internship that lasts the entirety of the academic year. The program offers academic and career guidance for the environmental stewards of tomorrow. We can't wait to take this year's AYLs kayaking to Aramburu Island, camping on the Pacific Coast, on a field trip to the Marine Mammal Center, and more! Read more about the program here. | | | Song Sparrow. Gerald Lisi / Audubon Photography Awards | | | | | |
| Wondering what to do with all those food scraps after a big family dinner? As we approach the feasts intrinsic to the holiday season, so too do we encounter excess food waste and overflowing trash bins. In the U.S. alone, food is the largest category of waste in municipal landfills. As it decomposes, it releases one of the most potent greenhouse gasses: methane. The good news is that there are simple and influential ways to mitigate waste and have a sustainable (and delicious) holiday meal. With a mindful approach, we can celebrate while reducing waste, turning food scraps into new recipes as well as nutrient-rich soil. | | | | |
| An earthworm found while digging a hole for a native plant. Maggie Starbard / Audubon | | | | |
| Thank you for your continued support of Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. Visit us on weekdays from 9-5 and for our monthly bird walks on the second Thursday of every month. Happy holidays! | | | | |
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