See and Do!
Our Mission
The Wildlife Volunteers are an "elite" group of caring people of all ages, striving to improve the quality of life for birds and wildlife in the East Bay Regional Park District. We are dedicated to assisting the East Bay Regional Park District's Stewardship staff with protecting, managing, conserving and enhancing the region's important scenic and natural resources. Wildlife Volunteers renew their connections to the land through hands-on conservation and resource management activities.
Please give some careful thought to the activities you would most like to help with, then give me a call at (510) 544-2319, or e-mail me at docquack@ebparks.org. Also, please give me at least two weeks notice and a phone number where I can leave you a voicemail message. Based on weather conditions, or other unseen circumstance, projects may be cancelled.
Dave "Doc Quack" Riensche
Wildlife Resource Analyst
Certified Wildlife Biologist ®
docquack@ebparks.org
Volunteer Activities
Scheduled Group Activities
Amphibian Ambassadors
Discover the region’s “moist-skinned” treasures while participating in field research and restoration projects to conserve and manage these amazing “tongue zappers”, newts and salamanders. These are on-going dates that include setting our research plots, trapping, monitoring, vegetation survey and hands-on data entry.
Space is limited to current Wildlife Volunteers. These are remote and rugged areas that require all participants to be “self-contained resources,” and in most cases vehicle access is by four-wheel drive.
Date(s): Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: TBA - “Out Where the Blacktop Ends”!
California Black Rail Habitat Helpers
During this hands-on adventure, you’ll help create 1,000 square feet of habitat for the State threatened California black rail. We will remove non-native plants, pick-up trash, and clear debris from clogged channels to improve tidal water cycling, which restores and creates nesting habitat for the California black rail. By participating, you’ll earn your “Black Rail Habitat Helper” patch. Space is limited to current Wildlife Volunteers.
Date(s): Thursday, September 17, 2009 Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond
Directions: Driving from I-80, take the Richmond Parkway exit and go west towards the Bay. Cross San Pablo Avenue and watch for the Point Pinole/ Giant Highway exit. Turn right (north) at Giant Highway. The park entrance will be ahead on the right, past the railroad tracks.
It’s Your Tern
An exciting adventure over land and water to help create nesting habitat for the State and Federal Listed endangered California least tern. We will pull weeds, remove and clean up tern decoys, and store the sound system for next year. By participating, you’ll make new friends and earn your “Least Tern Habitat Helper” patch. Parent participation and reservations required (510-544-2340).
Date(s): Sunday, August 30, 2009 Time: 9:30 a.m. to noon
Location: Hayward Regional Shoreline, Hayward
Directions: In Hayward, from Hwy 880 south, right on Hwy 92, exit at Clawiter Road, make a left onto Breakwater Ave., (which parallels Hwy 92).
Rail Rescue Rangers
During this hands-on adventure you’ll help create habitat for the federally and state endangered California clapper rail. We will remove non-native plants, pick-up trash, and plant wildlife friendly vegetation which will restore the upland areas of the Roemer Bird Sanctuary for rails. By participating, you’ll earn your “Rail Rescue Ranger” patch. Parent participation and reservations required (510-544-2340).
Date(s): Saturday, October 31, 2009 Time: 9:30 a.m. to Noon
**Cancelled Due to Oil Spill: Saturday, November 7, 2009 Time: 9:30 a.m. to Noon
Location: Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary/ Crown Memorial State Beach.
Directions: In Alameda, Exit 880 on 23rd Ave, head west over the Park St. Bridge into Alameda. Follow Park St. West across the island which dead ends at Shoreline Drive; turn left for the bird sanctuary (on the Bay between Park St. and Broadway). Meet at the Marsh Overlook.
Burrowing Owl Buddies
During this hands-on conservation project you’ll discover the “wild side of life”, while helping to build new “owl outposts” for these “flying mouse traps” to raise their young. Parent participation required.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland
Directions: In Oakland, take Hwy 880 north or south to Hegenberger Road in Oakland. West on Hegenberger Road to Pardee Drive. Right on Pardee Drive to Swan Way. Left on Swan Way to park entrance. Meet at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove parking lot.
Restoration Rangers
Here is your opportunity to help the park’s wildlife by planting willow, cottonwood, redwood and oak sapling along a barren bank; and then crafting nests for tree swallows, wood ducks and grebes. Parent participation required.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Quarry Lakes Regional Park in Fremont
Directions: In Fremont, take Hwy 880 to Decoto Road (Hwy 84) exit. Travel east on 84 and make a right onto Paseo Padre Parkway, then a left onto Isherwood Way. Proceed to the park entrance. We will meet at the south end of the Ensenada parking lot.
Forest of the Future
During this fun-filled opportunity you’ll discover the “nutty wildlife truths” about oak trees, and help the world breathe easier by tending and caring for trees. We will be helping the Fremont Bank Foundation with their project. Each tree helper will receive a “Forest of the Future” patch. Space is limited to current Wildlife Volunteers. Parent participation required.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
Directions: In Fremont, take Hwy 880 to 84 – Decoto Road exit. Drive West on 84 and turn right to Paseo Padre Parkway. Drive approximately a mile, then left on Patterson Ranch Road to the park entrance. Meet in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.
Quail Rangers
Join in some family fun as we improve the Park’s habitat for the State bird. Each participant will receive a “Covey Conservation” patch for planting and creating a safe place for quail to eat, rest and nest. Snacks and water will be provided. Parent participation required.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Contra Loma Regional Park, Antioch
Directions: From Oakland, north on Hwy 24 or 680 to Hwy 4. East on Hwy 4 to Lone Tree Way exit. South on Lone Tree Way to Golf Course Road. Right on Golf Course Road to Frederickson Lane. Right on Frederickson Lane to park entrance.
Breeding Bird Biologists
Here is your opportunity to get “nose to beak” with birds, while “conduckting” real fieldwork, during the early morning hours to help manage our feathered friends. We will be using the spot-mapping method to estimate the densities of breeding birds on the site. By participating, you’ll earn your “Breeding Bird Biologists” patch. Parent participation required and reservations required (510-544-2340).
We recommend the following personal protective items for recording breeding bird activity in a wet, muddy, and insect rich environment: Outdoors clothing (long pants), hiking/mud boots (waterproof footwear), gloves, hats, water, insect repellant, and sunscreen.
Dates, Times and Locations: “East Bay Hills”!
April through June, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Hole-in-the-tree-Gang
Here is your opportunity to meet the park’s star cavity nesting critter – the tree swallow! We will clean, build and install nest boxes. By participating, you’ll earn your “Habitat Helpers” patch. Parent participation required.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
Directions: In Fremont, take Hwy 880 to 84 – Decoto Road exit. Go west on 84 and right to Paseo Padre Parkway. Drive approximately a mile, then left on Patterson Ranch Road to the park entrance. Meet in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.
Riparian Re-Leaf
During this hands-on habitat restoration effort, we will enhance the plant life found along a 3,500 foot stretch of stream that has in-stream plunge pools designed for the threatened California red-legged frog. By participating, you’ll earn your “Riparian Re-Leaf” patch. Parent participation required.
We recommend the following personal protective items for working in a wet, muddy, and insect rich environment: Outdoors clothing (long pants), hiking/mud boots (waterproof footwear), gloves, hats, water, insect repellant, and sunscreen.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Diablo Foothills Regional Park (Arroyo del Cerro Resource Enhancement Project), Walnut Creek.
Directions: Northbound 680 in Walnut Creek to Ygnacio Valley Road exit. Drive east on Ygnacio Valley Road to Walnut Avenue. Right on Walnut Avenue. Left on North Gate Road and follow to North Gate Entry Station of Diablo State Park. We will meet inside the gate just before the Entry Station.
Nesting Bird Surveys
During this “scientific safari” you’ll see and record what the “stork” brought to parent ducks, shorebirds, songbirds and more! Your efforts will help with the long-term monitoring and management of this restored marshland. We will be using a grid-transect method to estimate the densities of nesting birds. By participating, you’ll earn your “Breeding Bird Biologists” patch. Space is limited to current Wildlife Volunteers.
We recommend the following personal protective items for recording nesting bird activity in a wet, muddy, and insect rich environment: Outdoors clothing (long pants), hiking/mud boots (waterproof footwear), gloves, hats, water, insect repellant, and sunscreen.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland
Directions: In Oakland, take Hwy 880 north or south to Hegenberger Road. West on Hegenberger Road to Pardee Drive. Right on Pardee Drive to Swan Way. Left on Swan Way to park entrance. Meet at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove parking lot (first lot on your left as you enter the park).
Least Tern Colony Monitors
Here is your opportunity to become a “Birding-Peeping-Tom” by peering into the family life of terns. You will be helping to record data about their nest distribution, chronology and reproductive success using the Type 2 monitoring method. In this method, surveys are conducted from a vehicle approximately 25m (75ft.) from the island at various times of day, with the majority of the surveys conducted from 0700 to 1700 hours, seven days a week. A Cabela’s professional 60mm (2.4 in) spotting scope on a car window mount will be available. Space is limited to current Wildlife Volunteers.
Date(s): To Be Announced. Check back soon!
Location: Hayward Regional Shoreline, Hayward
Directions: TBA
Other Special Projects
If you are available on a weekday and are willing to help on any of the projects listed below, please give me a call, or e-mail me at docquack@ebparks.org. Also, please provide me a phone number where I can leave you a voicemail message.
1. Dates, Times and Locations: “Out Where the Blacktop Ends”!
May through August, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Sunol Regional Wilderness
Lizard Legionnaire
Discover the beauty, mystery, and magic of the region’s reptiles while participating in field research to conserve and manage grassland wildlife. These are on-going dates that include setting our research plots, trapping, monitoring, vegetation survey and hands-on data entry. By participating, you’ll earn your “Managed Grasslands Research” patch.
Space is limited to current Wildlife Volunteers. These are remote and rugged areas that require all participants to be “self-contained resources,” and in most cases vehicle access is by four-wheel drive.
Date(s): Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Time: 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 5, 2009 Time: 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: TBA – Sunol/Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol
Directions:
Fundraising
Poster and Brochure Distribution. We need some help identifying financial resources to support our wildlife habitat enhancement projects. Please place our current posters and brochures in a visible location to generate support for our projects. To download our program flyers, click on the following links:
- Doc Quack's Call for Wildlife Volunteers
- Volunteers Answer the Call of the Wind
- Covey Conservationist: California Quail Habitat Helpers
- Keeping Nature A-Float: Improve Western grebe nesting success.
- Help the Frogs "Leap" Into the Future: Pond restoration and habitat enhancement.
- EBRPD Managed Grassland Study Design: Conserve and manage grassland wildlife.
- Lizard Legionnaire: Learn how to become a Lizard Legionnaire.
- Breeding Bird Biologist: Assess nesting requirements and develop management strategies for bird populations.
- Black Rail Habitat Helpers: Point Pinole Habitat Enhancement: Give the California black rail a wing up.
- It's Your Tern: Least Tern Habitat Helpers: Give the California least tern a wing up.
Office Heroes
We need some help once a month sending out correspondences and with maintaining files.
How to Volunteer
To become a Wildlife Volunteer, download the volunteer application and return completed application to: Dave "Doc Quack" Riensche, Wildlife Resource Analyst, East Bay Regional Park District, P.O. Box 5381, Oakland, CA 94605-0381.
Some scheduled group activities require registration. To register, call (510) 544-2340 at least two weeks before the event. Based on weather conditions or other unseen circumstance, projects may be cancelled.
Make a Tax-Deductible Donation
Please make check payable to the Regional Parks Foundation in support of a Doc Quack program of your choice and send to the Regional Parks Foundation, P.O. Box 21074, Crestmont Station Oakland, CA 94620. The Regional Parks Foundation's Federal Tax ID # is 23-7011877.
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