Past Talks: Watch recordings
Bay Nature Talks: Sperm Whales of the Golden Gate
Bay Nature Talks: Tule Mats and the Importance of Wetlands
Bay Nature Talks: Endangered Flowers with Bruce Baldwin and Sarah Gordon
Bay Nature Talks: Native Bees with Diony Gamoso
Bay Nature Talk: The Grebes of Clear Lake with Floyd Hayes
Bay Nature Talks: Conservation Detection Dogs with Karen DeMatteo
Bay Nature Talks: Sperm Whales with William Oestreich
Bay Nature Talk: Birding By Ear
Join Bay Nature Magazine and expert birder and artist Clay Anderson for a virtual talk about birding by ear on March 26, from 12 – 1pm. This will be a fun, informal class where attendees will learn how to “ear bird” with Clay. During this virtual session we will go over some different ways to learn bird calls / songs over Zoom.
Bay Nature Talk: Tahoe Invasives
Join Bay Nature Magazine and UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center’s Brandon Berry for a virtual talk about the invasive species living in Lake Tahoe and the efforts to slow their spread on March 12, from 12 – 1pm. Lake Tahoe faces a constant and serious threat from the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, which can devastate aquatic ecosystems and negatively impact the recreation opportunities that drive Lake Tahoe’s economy. Whether intentional, accidental or illegal, these species introductions can have profound impacts on Lake Tahoe’s native ecosystems and water quality, something that researchers like Brandon are working hard to address.
Bay Nature Talk: Sunflower Sea Star
Join Bay Nature Magazine and Cal Academy marine biologists and experts Riah Evin and Elora López-Nandam for a virtual talk about sunflower sea stars on Wednesday, March 19, from 12 – 1pm. Sunflower sea stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) were an important generalist predator in kelp forest habitats in California prior to being devastated by sea star wasting syndrome in 2013. Loss of this top predator has contributed to overpopulation of purple sea urchins, which has in turn led to overgrazing and loss of giant kelp in California. Now, Cal Academy is rearing and studying sunflower stars spawned in aquaria, with the goal of eventually reintroducing this keystone species back onto our coast. This talk is based on this piece written by former Bay Nature editorial fellow, Guananí Gómez-Van Cortright about the sea stars and the efforts to conserve them.
Bay Nature Talk: Moss Landing Fire Forum
Bay Nature and two Moss Landing Marine Lab scientists join for a public conversation and Q&A session about the fire at Vistra Moss Landing Power Plant, which started January 16th and burned for three days, consuming 75 percent of the plant and its 100,000 lithium-ion cells.
Bay Nature Talk: Tracking 101
Expert tracker Garth Harwood shares a virtual talk with the Bay Nature audience about how to go tracking. Garth shares about the evidence that local wildlife species leave on the landscape, focusing on tracks and trails, but also on “sign” tracking that involves scat, territorial markings, feeding sign, kill sites, and more.
Bay Nature Talk: Birds on the Brink
Point Blue’s Pete Warzybok shares a virtual talk with the Bay Nature audience about the seabirds of the Farallon Islands on February 19, from 12 – 1pm. At this talk we learn about the 500 thousand seabirds who call this island home and the threats they face living in an ever-changing environment where they grapple with warming temperatures, avian flu, and more.
Bay Nature Talk: Western Pond Turtles
Join us online for a Bay Nature Talk on Wednesday, February 12 from 12–1pm with Matthew Bettelheim to learn about western pond turtles. Matthew, who is a wildlife biologist specializing in herpetology and freelance science writer, will share his expertise and knowledge of these turtles, plus provide an overview of the western pond turtle identification guide he made with three other turtle experts.
Bay Nature Talk: Wildlife Crossings
Join us online for a Bay Nature Talk on Wednesday, January 22 from 12 – 1pm with Mari Galloway, California Program Director of Wildlands Network, an organization which works to reconnect, restore & rewild North America. Mari will highlight the essential role of wildlife crossings in reconnecting California’s landscapes and promoting wildlife movement and will describe how government, tribal, and NGO partners work together to plan these crossings, aiming to restore fragmented habitats for future generations.
Bay Nature Talk: Sachi Cunningham
Filmmaker Sachi Cunningham and our digital editor, Kate Golden, discuss themes from the piece Sachi wrote in our Fall 2024 issue, which focuses on the ways Sachi’s relationship with the ocean has shaped her life, what makes Ocean Beach unique, and Sachi’s motivations as a documentary filmmaker working to highlight inequalities in the surf industry. Sachi also shares some practical tips on ocean safety 101 and audience members can engage more with the ocean in their own lives.
Bay Nature Talk: Snowy Plovers
Former National Park Service wildlife biologist Matt Lau highlights the Point Reyes snowy plover population. Learn about their ecology and natural history, as well as conservation efforts, the ongoing saga to protect them from predators, and efforts to bolster their populations.
Bay Nature Talk: The Ocean Issue
Former Bay Nature digital editor Eric Simons and UC Davis researcher Tessa Hill, guest editors for Bay Nature’s ocean edition, share their insights on this special issue. They dive into the topics featured in its pages as well as their co-written book, At Every Depth: Our Growing Knowledge of the Changing Oceans, which highlights the ways people are working to safeguard the future as oceans continue to change. Eric and Tessa discuss themes from both the magazine and their book, as well as some of the stories that didn’t make it into print.
Bay Nature Talk: Deep Sea AI
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute principal engineer Kakani Katija shares her work using artificial intelligence to inform our understanding of the deep sea and how these developments are happening at a critical time for these precious ecosystems. As lead of the Bioinspiration Lab, Kakani and her group investigate ways that imaging and broad community engagement can enable observations of ocean life.
Bay Nature Talk: Night Sky Photography
This talk is a beginner’s guide to astrophotography. Science communicator Jacob Saffarian shares how you can use digital cameras and tripods to capture correctly-focused images of the night sky, expose properly for low-light conditions, and intentionally manipulate a camera to capture star trails. This event aims to increase the accessibility of astrophotography for local amateur photographers and naturalists and construct a space for inexperienced astronomers and curious would-be astrophotographers to build the foundational skills required to use photography as a way to engage more deeply with the night sky.
Bay Nature Talk: Sharks of the California Coast
Learn about shark migration, behavior, and diversity along the California coastline with David McGuire, founder of Shark Stewards, a shark conservation nonprofit dedicated to saving sharks and protecting critical marine habitat. As a sailing captain, dive master and filmmaker, David has explored the world ocean on numerous sailing voyages producing media with an emphasis on sharks and ocean awareness.
Bay Nature Talk: Gull Identification
Learn the basics of gull identification with Rudyard Wallen, expert birder, instructor, and gull specialist. Rudy highlights ways to distinguish the most commonly seen gull species and shares knowledge about their populations and antics here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Bay Nature Talk – Live!: The California Forest Project
Join photographer Stefan Thuilot on the closing night of his California Forest Project exhibition at the David Brower Center in Berkeley. The project raises public awareness of California’s distinct forest biodiversity through large scale, high-resolution photography highlighting all 25 California forest ecosystems. After a brief presentation, Thuilot is joined by Obi Kaufmann, Joe McBride, and Adina Merenlender for a panel discussion on the importance of California’s forests and the work of naturalists and photographers to highlight these critical landscapes.
Slippery, Slimy, and Sensational Banana Slugs
Banana slug researcher Janet Leonard, of UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of Marine Sciences, gives a talk on September 23, 2024, sharing information on banana slug biology and ecology plus a look at ongoing research on their sexual behavior, taxonomy, and rapid evolution. This talk is inspired by this piece from Bay Nature’s Fall 2018 issue.
Seals of the Farallon Islands
Point Blue researchers Amanda Spears, Jeannie Johnson, and Meredith Elliott introduce the seals of the Farallon Islands and their diets (hint: the research involves seal scat!). This talk builds on Bay Nature’s Spring 2024 naturalist notebook by John Muir Laws, featuring the seals of the SF Bay Area.
An Interview with Amy Tan—Wild Birds and Backyard Journals
Bay Nature’s editor, Victoria Schlesinger interviews Amy Tan about her newest book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, a selection of Tan’s journal entries, anecdotes, observations, and drawings of the birds who visit her Bay Area backyard.
Bears of the North Bay
Join Bay Nature and Meghan Walla-Murphy, tracking expert and lead wildlife biologist of the North Bay Bears Collaborative, to learn about bears in Northern California. Meghan shares the ways that we can ensure that both humans and bears stay safe as bear populations increase.
Ospreys of the San Francisco Bay
Join osprey expert Tony Brake for a presentation on San Francisco Bay Area ospreys, their recent nesting expansion, conservation efforts, and nest camera footage.
The Bat Healers
When insects emerge and flowers bloom in spring, the bats soon follow. And so do the calls for help to NorCal Bats. Go behind the scenes with bat rehabbers and the work they do to keep these tiny, furred and flying insect-eaters healthy and well.
Snake Fungal Disease
Last summer, CDFW wrapped up the first year of monitoring for snake fungal disease—an emerging infectious disease that can debilitate snakes—and it turned out the fungus had spread more widely across California than anyone had realized (including five Bay Area counties). As statewide funding for disease surveillance runs out this year, here’s what to look out for—and how to be a friend to your local snakes when you’re out hiking.
A Last Best Hope for Coho in the Russian River
Join Bay Nature with Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District lead scientist John Green, NOAA Restoration Center marine habitat resource specialist Sarah Nossaman Pierce, and environmental journalist Alastair Bland for a fascinating discussion about efforts to bring back the Russian River watershed’s salmonids.
An Astronomer’s Guide to the City
You may be surprised to learn that a telescope is not a requisite piece of gear for astrophotography. A DSLR camera and lens can be a great foundation. Join Bay Nature and author Jeremy Miller to discuss amateur astronomy, viewing techniques and gear, and astrophotography basics. Learn more about the effects of Bay Area light pollution, the characteristics of ideal viewing locations, and recommended experiences.
Chanterelles Vs. Death Caps
Have you been chante-relishing the abundance of mushrooms this winter? It’s been a banger of a year for delicious California golden chanterelles, Cantharellus californicus—our new state mushroom—and for deadly death cap mushrooms, Amanita phalloides. Join us for a cozy fungal online chat between Bay Nature digital editor Kate Golden and Bay Area Mycological Society cofounder Debbie Viess about these two fascinating mushrooms.
5 Photos with Vishal Subramanyan from Concept to Capture
Improve your outdoor photography skills! We’ll go behind the lens with local rising star wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan to learn all the elements of a beautiful image in nature.
Join us online for a Bay Nature Talk as award winning wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan shares the stories behind five exemplary images from his portfolio. Hear about his use of natural light, field techniques, and the equipment that helps him capture compelling images. We’ll explore what Vishal hopes to contribute to the field of wildlife photography, the career options available to young photographers, and stories about his most memorable wildlife encounters.
Tarantulas, Gentle Giants of Mount Diablo
Made monstrous in Hollywood movies, tarantulas are truly one of the gentle giants of the animal world. Here in the Bay Area, early fall is tarantula mating season. Let’s get to know these misunderstood spiders during their season of love.
Join us online for a Bay Nature Talk as Mount Diablo Interpretive Association naturalist Michael Marchiano shares a retrospective of learnings, observations, and stories from 50 years tracking tarantulas across the mountain ranges of the San Francisco Bay Area. Come to understand the basic biology of the many species of tarantula living in California, dispel myths and misconceptions about these gentle giants, and hear how climate change is impacting their local habitats. You’ll learn about the lives of tarantulas and their mating habits at this time of year, as well as the best places to discover these spiders in the wild.
The Ribbit of Pacific Chorus Frogs — More than Meets the Ear
A common sound of California’s spring nights is the iconic “ribbit, ribbit” of Pacific chorus frogs. Yet, what is the meaning behind these unassuming sounds, and how does a frog’s environment impact their calls?
Join us online for a Bay Nature Talk with San Francisco State University Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Alejandro Vélez Meléndez. This follow up to our 2023 Summer issue cover story, “Scientists Are Decoding the Love Language of Pacific Chorus Frogs,” will bring you into the field to teach you how frogs use sounds to communicate, as well as the importance of communication in their social lives. You’ll learn about several research projects related to Pacific chorus frog communication presently being conducted at study sites from Point Reyes, Stanford, and Orinda.
Wild Billions — Meet BIL and IRA
Embark on a journey with Bay Nature to grok the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, two bills with forgettable names that belie their contents: unprecedented federal funding for environmental justice and climate change projects. With our summer issue, Bay Nature launches a reporting project to examine their impact in the greater Bay Area and Northern California—“Wild Billions.”
Join us online for a Bay Nature Talk with editor in chief Victoria Schlesinger and digital editor Kate Golden. This webinar will take you behind the scenes of their reporting for a fascinating discussion that will illuminate how this historic money is shaping nature in our area.
Coexistence? Humpback Whales and Dungeness Crabbers
Join humpback whale scientist John Calambokidis, commercial fisherman Dick Ogg, and science journalist Anne Marshall-Chalmers for a fascinating discussion building on the Spring 2023 Bay Nature story, “As Whale Populations Grow, Dungeness Crabbers Foresee Their Own Demise.” During this talk, you’ll learn about the conservation successes of the past 50 years that have enabled humpback whale populations to recover. We also discuss the climate effects pushing these same endangered whales towards shore — increasing the potential for conflicts with humans in the form of ship strikes, underwater noise pollution, and, in recent years, a spike in the number of whales entangled in crabbing gear. This has California’s iconic and highly profitable Dungeness crab fishery, which routinely earns crabbers $80 million for a season’s catch, facing an uncertain future.
The Enduring Mystery of Synchronized Acorn Booms
Some years are great for acorns but during some the crop fails entirely. Walt Koenig takes us through an informative and engaging presentation about California’s oaks. During his talk, you’ll learn about the issues that affect the variation and synchrony of acorn production in the trees around us. His presentation draws from data collected for the California Acorn Survey, encompassing more than 1,000 trees at 25 sites spread across California. You’ll gain knowledge about booms and busts in acorn production, as well as the implications for animals that depend on acorns for food in an ever-changing world.
Paleo Valleys
This webinar explores paleo valleys and their potential to help manage California’s flood waters and store it for future droughts. Our conversation is moderated by Bay Nature editor in chief Victoria Schlesinger together with journalist Erica Gies, author of our Winter 2022’s cover story “Capturing the Flood in California’s Ancient Underground Waterways,” and UC Davis professor emeritus of hydrogeology Graham Fogg.
A Year with the Urban Gray Fox
Join the Fox Guy, Bill Leikam, as he takes us through an informative and engaging presentation about the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). Although gray foxes are frequently spotted in the Bay Area, very little is known about them, especially their behavior. His presentation will begin with an overview of the gray fox’s general ecology, then will weave the science with personal stories about the foxes he studied over the course of five years.
Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
Join artist, author, and educator John Muir Laws for a virtual walk in the woods to explore how to observe with the eyes of a naturalist, discovering and celebrating the signs of the Bay Area season in a nature journal.
Join us for a deep dive on mushrooms and enjoy just watching or pick up your pencil to sketch!
Living on Public Lands
Join us for a conversation about public lands and their increasing role as a refuge for the unhoused during California’s affordable housing crisis. It’s indisputable that more people are living both legally and illegally on public lands and that it’s an issue communities and agencies are already facing. Who is living on public lands? Why are they living there? And what is the impact on the land?
Q&A on don’t feed the coyotes
After a century of extirpation, coyotes returned to the green spaces of San Francisco in the early 2000s. Twenty years later, a thriving population of Canis latrans resides in the city’s parks and forests. The documentary don’t feed the coyotes observes several years in the intertwined lives of these urban animals. It centers around a three-year-old coyote, fondly named Scout, and her territorial challenger, the scientifically dubbed 15F. Chronicling their lives through two starkly different researchers observing them, it’s about humans, the natural world, and the lines we’ve drawn between the two. And of course, not feeding the coyotes.
Bay Nature hosted an advanced screening of the film don’t feed the coyotes which can be viewed at dontfeedthecoyotes.com. Following the screening of the film, Bay Nature hosted a Q&A with filmmaker Nick Stone Schearer alongside Bay Area self-taught naturalist, Janet Kessler, and wildlife ecologist with Presidio Trust, Jonathan Young.
Tales of Urban Whales
Learn about the whales, dolphins, and porpoises of the San Francisco Bay Area! Join marine mammal biologist Bill Keener as he presents the results of The Marine Mammal Center’s latest studies. This is a story of environmental change in the bay, as these fascinating animals have adapted to life in our urban waters. Here’s your chance to learn from a local scientist about the lives of whales, the difference between porpoises and dolphins, where to see them, and what you can do to help in the research.
An Inside Look at Bay Area Bobcats
Join conservation photographer Sarah Killingsworth, a Marin County-based California Naturalist, for an intimate look at bobcats in the Bay Area. In this webinar you will learn more about this elusive species as well as how to ethically approach bobcat photography, what gear Sarah uses, the zen of wildlife photography and tips for coexisting with bobcats in your neighborhood (yes, in the Bay Area, you probably have them).
People, Science, and Nature at One Tam
Join One Tam’s Community Science Program Manager Lisette Arellano in conversation with author and science journalist Mary Ellen Hannibal about how community science is fueling conservation on Mount Tamalpais. Hear from Lisette about three of One Tam’s community science programs: the Marin Wildlife Picture Index Project, the Bioblitz series, and the Tamalpais Bee Lab. Mary Ellen explores the connection between individual action and regional, state-wide, and global efforts.
Chaparral Fire Ecology & the Fire Following Plants Around us
In this timely Bay Nature Talk, senior botanist Heath Bartosh delves into chaparral fire ecology, including fire return intervals and climate concerns. Learn how California’s chaparral ecosystems recover from fire, meet some common fire-following plants, and find out where to see fire followers this spring! Heath is joined by ecological engineer and senior scientist Christina Toms who leads a Q&A following the presentation.
Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
Artist, author, and educator John Muir Laws helps us observe with the eyes of a naturalist, discovering and celebrating the signs of the Bay Area season in a nature journal. Learn how to sketch and document mushrooms, seasonal birds, raindrops, and a misty winter landscape. For lots of free nature journaling resources, visit johnmuirlaws.com.
Tennessee Hollow Watershed Restoration
For twenty years planners in the Presidio of San Francisco have been restoring the buried-and-forgotten watershed of the former Army Base. Much of the project is already completed, and the next phase opens to the public in December. Watch this webinar with Presidio Trust ecologist and Associate Director of Natural Resources Lew Stringer to find out how they did it!
Infectious Disease & the Environment
In this Bay Nature Talks webinar, editor in chief Victoria Schlesinger discusses the history of plague and wildlife in the West with Elena Conis and Daniel Roman. Check out Elena and Daniel’s Bay Nature article here.
River Otters
Join Megan Isadore, co-founder and executive director of River Otter Ecology Project, for an inspiring presentation about the important role that community science played in changing the range map for river otters in California.
Tidepools
Cal Academy’s Rebecca Johnson and Alison Young and Bay Nature’s Eric Simons share their knowledge, tips, and tricks so you can get the most out of your next tidepooling experience. Where and when can you find the best pools? What are some common species you might see? How can you help provide critical data for science and management on your tidepooling trip?
The Journeys of Trees
Science writer and author of the new book The Journeys of Trees, Zach St. George has traveled the globe talking to ecologists, foresters, and activists about the future of forests and how they will or won’t persist. In this Zoom webinar with Bay Nature editor in chief Victoria Schlesinger, St. George will discuss his new book, as well as his latest Bay Nature story focusing on the California species Monterey pine.
