Best National Reserve Oakland Near Me

4worldlovers: Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve is an ecological jewel. The native plant community here is found nowhere else in the East Bay. It represents a relic plant association found only in certain areas along California's coast where ideal soil and climatic conditions exist.

The vegetation association of Huckleberry Preserve finds its roots in past climates and geologic history. The plants originated in the distant past along the southern coast of California when the climate was moister and tempered by the cool coastal fog. Today, similar vegetation is found on the islands off the Santa Barbara coast and in isolated pockets on the mainland coast from Point Conception to Montara Mountain, south of San Francisco.

The rock strata exposed in the preserve were laid down in a deep ocean basin and contain the remains of microscopic diatoms and radiolaria. Through time these beds have been subjected to uplift and folding and stand exposed as hard, brittle bands of interbedded chert and shale. The resulting soil is very low in nutritional value and favors pioneering chaparral species that tolerate harshness and colonize the most sterile, rocky knolls. The soils are well drained at the surface, but the fractured and bedded rocks below hold water for deep roots. Although the barrens seem superficially dry at the surface, these sites are actually relatively moist. Being directly across from the Golden Gate, the barrens receive ample summer fog; northerly exposure is isolated from the sun; and on the crest of the Berkeley Hills, the rainfall is sufficient.

In the absence of fire, leaf litter has been deposited in great quantities, and the soil has become rich and deep. Live oaks and bay laurels have gradually moved into the chaparral areas to shade out the chamise and manzanitas. This plant succession is a natural part of the evolution of California's landscape.

Huckleberry Preserve has a year-round display of blossoming plants, many rare to the East Bay. As you stroll through the 241-acre preserve, stop periodically and reflect on your sense of place, for here you can experience an ancient slice of time.

The preserve is not accessible to wheelchair users at this time.

4worldlovers: Did you know that you could survey for bats using acoustic detectors that record echolocation calls? The calls are unique to each species so it's a valuable non-invasive technique to survey for bats. This year, the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR was part of the North American Bat Monitoring Program. Staff from Bat Conservation International deployed a single recorder for one week at Bair Island and recorded two bat species: the Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and the Brazilian free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). Bats play an important role in the ecosystem by consuming insects and pollinating plants. To learn more about bats, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service story about bats and Bat Conservation International (batcon.org).

Mallard Slough Trail and sections of Alviso Slough Trail are Closed due to construction at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso California. South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project (Phase I) between the Alviso Slough/Guadalupe River and Coyote Creek is underway.


For more information see the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Fact Sheet


In the heart of California's high-tech industry lies a wildlife oasis in an urban sea with 30,000 acres of habitat for millions of migratory birds and endangered species. Established in 1972 through local activism, the refuge provides not only critical habitat for threatened and endangered species, but opportunities for people to enjoy the benefits of nature.


We are so excited to welcome your campers back for another year of Marsh-In Summer Camp at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This is the 44th year of free Summer Camp being offered to Bay Area youth entering Grades 1-6. Campers will have the opportunity to learn, complete fun self-guided activities, interact with Refuge Rangers & Biologists, learn to fish, explore the Refuge in Fremont, and much more!


Applications are due on June 9th. Here is the application link: https://forms.gle/cq6vCc9uYtM37ddR6. The form provides the rest of the camp details.


Please reach out to summercamp@sfbayws.org if you have any questions.


Sits on the southern end of San Francisco Bay. It is indeed a wildlife oasis in an urban sea. The refuge, created in 1972, was largely the result of grassroots efforts by the local community to protect the San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Today, it provides not only critical habitat for threatened and endangered species, but opportunities for people to enjoy the benefits of nature.


Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat; protect migratory birds and threatened and endangered species; and provide opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation and nature study for the surrounding communities.


Fifteen habitat types exist on the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, contributing to the diversity of wildlife on the refuge. More than 340 plant species and 280 species of birds call the refuge home, and millions of individual birds fly through the area during peak migrations. In addition to plants and birds, the refuge provides habitat for fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates!