The season is approaching when monarch butterflies congregate at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont and several other Bay Area locations, where they overwinter as part of their multi-generational migratory life cycle.<\/p>\n
Ardenwood schedules a series of programs from late November through February during which visitors can search for the clusters of butterflies in the park\u2019s eucalyptus groves. Last year monarch numbers dipped precipitously low.<\/p>\n
You can become a citizen scientist volunteer, helping to count the numbers of butterflies returning to sites around the Bay Area, adding to the insects\u2019 population database. The project requires an in-field commitment from November through January.<\/p>\n
A training session for volunteers is planned from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Mulford-Marina Branch of the San Leandro Public Library. Leaders are Park District naturalist Susan Ramos and Mia Monroe of the Xerces Society, a non-profit environmental organization that promotes invertebrate conservation.<\/p>\n
Registration is required for the training session. To make reservations, call 888-327-2757. Select option 2 and refer to program number 27455. For more information on the program, call Susan Ramos at 510-544-3182.<\/p>\n
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From butterflies to birds: there\u2019s a bird walk planned from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, led by naturalist Kristina Parkison. It\u2019s for ages eight and older, but all levels of bird-watching experience are welcome.<\/p>\n
Or you can learn how Native Americans used (and many continue to use) plants for food, medicine, shelter and tools during a program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3 and again on Dec. 22 with naturalist Francis Mendoza.<\/p>\n
The program is for ages 15 and older. It includes a short walk to the park\u2019s native plant gardens and out to the freshwater marsh.<\/p>\n
Both programs meet at the Coyote Hills visitor center, which is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There\u2019s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle; the programs are free. Call 510-544-3220.<\/p>\n
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Sunol Regional Wilderness in southern Alameda County offers several programs that highlight the park\u2019s natural history, every weekend in November and December.<\/p>\n
\u201cNature Crafts\u201d is from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday and Sunday. There\u2019s a different craft each week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWild Wonders\u201d is from 2 to 3 p.m. on those days. It\u2019s an exploration of nature through games and activities, designed for families of all ages.<\/p>\n
And visitors can watch the staff feed the animals at the park\u2019s visitor center from 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Sunday.<\/p>\n
Sunol is at the end of Geary Road off Calaveras Road about five miles south of I-680 and the town of Sunol. Call 510-544-3249.<\/p>\n
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Crab Cove Visitor Center and Aquarium in Alameda has a series of recurring programs, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cStorytime and Nature Fun is from 11:30 a.m. to noon every Sunday in November and December. Meet characters including the Lorax, hermit crabs and Swimmy the Fish. Afterwards visitors can make nature crafts, go on a scavenger hunt, or watch nature videos.<\/p>\n
Family Nature Fun Hour is from 2 to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, with lots of nature-themed activities. After that, watch the staff feed the fish from 3 to 3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
And the whole family will enjoy \u201cSongs and Stories by the Shore,\u201d from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 and again on Nov. 16 with naturalist Morgan Guenther. It\u2019s all about worms, fungus, leaves, flowers, predators, prey and more.<\/p>\n
Crab Cove is located at 1252 McKay Ave. off Alameda\u2019s Central Avenue. Call 510-544-3187.<\/p>\n
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At Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley, the Little Farm offers \u201cFarm Chores for Littles\u201d from 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Saturday in November and December. Small children will enjoy caring for little animals. Meet at the rabbit hutch.<\/p>\n
And there\u2019s a nature ramble with naturalist Trent Pearce, starting at the Environmental Education Center, from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Nov. 2, 9 and 16. Trent will highlight features of the changing season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s fireside story time at the center from 11 to 11:30 a.m. every Sunday in November and December.<\/p>\n
The center and Little Farm are both at the north end of Tilden\u2019s Central Park Drive, accessible via Canon Drive from Grizzly Peak Boulevard in Berkeley. Call 510-544-2233.<\/p>\n
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Historic Somersville is the theme of a program from 1 to 2 p.m. every Sunday in November and December at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. Local history, miners\u2019 tools and mining town life are among the topics, which change weekly.<\/p>\n
Meet the naturalist in the parking lot at the end of Somersville Road, 3 \u00bd miles south of Highway 4. Call 888-327-2757, ext. 2750.<\/p>\n
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Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley plans Dunes Restoration Day from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 and again on Dec. 14. Volunteers can help to restore some historic dunes by removing invasive weeds and reintroducing native plants.<\/p>\n
Bring water, gloves, a hat, closed-toed shoes, dress for the weather and expect to get dirty. Good physical condition is required for pulling vegetation.<\/p>\n
Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley\u2019s Main Street. Call 888-327-2757, ext. 3050.<\/p>\n
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