Ecology
Mountain lion photo from the Bay Area Puma Project remote cameras
Hiking through the Berkeley Fire Trails always seems like a relaxing experience after a busy day of online classes, meeting, and projects. Coast live oak, deer, and other chaparral wildlife are certainly comforting sights. But during dusk and dawn, it is not uncommon for a crepuscular predator to roam through the hills.
Read MoreThe year is 2070. The location, Berkeley, California. It’s a warm summer evening, and a humid breeze blows through the grass. The sun is setting over the hills, and the sky is ablaze with orange, red, and purple streaks. You’re content, the temperature soothing and the fabric of your shirt and shorts soft.
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In recent years, and especially during quarantine, electronic device usage has seemingly overtaken the world. LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are responsible for illuminating many electronics that are currently in use such as computer and phone screens. Artificial lighting has seriously impacted many types of wildlife, from trees to frogs to migratory birds and beyond, and many organisms are suffering as a result.
The chicks beginning to hatch on April 17
For five years, two peregrine falcons named Annie and Grinnel have been living peacefully in the Campanile on Cal’s campus. Peregrine falcons usually mate for life, and this couple has had five successful breeding seasons on campus, resulting in thirteen chicks being born. On April 19th, triplets hatched and can be seen on the livestream.
Go Bears! The chant for Cal’s mascot, the California Golden Bear, embodies passion, excitement, and even sarcasm. Inspired by the California grizzly bear (Ursus arctos v.californicus), the figure was the symbol of the Bear Flag Revolt, when American settler-colonists rebelled against the Mexican and Spanish rule to declare California an independent republic in the summer of 1846.
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One of the largest facets of the environmental protection movement is biological conservation through protecting vulnerable species. There are many organizations and leaders dedicated to protecting wildlife and their ecosystems. The Gulf of California is a dynamic region where biological conservation, social justice, and other initiatives often collide.
Read MoreAlthough the Bay Area has the widely beloved BART system to provide public transportation at low emission rates, many people still depend on commuting with their own vehicle. Getting caught in a gridlock is nothing out of the ordinary for a local resident…
Read MoreWhen one hears the word “pollinator,” an image of a bee usually pops into their head. Pollinators provide a niche service to ecosystems across the globe, helping plants reproduce the next generation and increasing genetic diversity…
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Intense downpours of rain lead to flooding, which causes thousands of dollars worth of damages to a community. This photo shows the flooding damages in Sonoma County in 2019.
If you are from California, there is a good chance that you are familiar with droughts. From switching to a drought-tolerant lawn and the rise of astro-turf, to shorter showers and no at-home-car-washes, the scarcity of water in this state is an everyday reality for millions of Californians.
Read MoreThe common public perception of bats is historically negative. They are thought of as vectors of disease, aggressive towards humans, and often connotated with myths of vampires. However, bats are an integral and often overlooked component of the food system.
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Photo of Tilden taken by Ava Castanha
The COVID19 pandemic has created a renewed interest in getting outdoors for many people, especially in the East Bay Regional Park District, which maintains park and trails stretching across the Alameda and Contra Costa counties. I was fortunate to talk to Joseph Mouzon, who is the COO of Outdoor Afro, a nationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and reconnect black people with nature, and Brian Holt, the Chief of the Planning, Trails and GIS Department at the East Bay Regional Park District.
Read MoreIf you ask Berkeley students where they like to hike, chances are that someone will mention the Berkeley Fire Trails or Tilden Regional Park. These areas are prominent fixtures in Berkeley student life as hotspots for hikers, runners, nature-lovers, and overworked students alike, but there is much more to them than meets the eye. There is history behind Berkeley’s natural spaces - and all of California - that is valuable and important to be conscious of when considering their resilience in the face of forces such as global warming and the climate crisis which already impact our daily lives.
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