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In this talk, Eddy Rubin delves into the human and natural forces—biological and physical—that have shaped San Francisco’s western shoreline. Through a blend of scientific analysis and personal narrative, he explores the interactions of members of this vibrant coastal ecosystem, with particular emphasis on the birds of Ocean Beach.

About Our Speaker

Eddy Rubin is a Berkeley scientist and longtime Ocean Beach enthusiast who, in addition to contributing to the Human Genome Project, has spent decades walking, surfing, and foraging along San Francisco’s western edge. He is the author of Ocean Beach: Fog, Fauna, and Flora, which explores the unique ecology of this sandy Pacific shoreline. His work reflects both a deep love for this coastal habitat and a passion for making science accessible to the public.

Date: Thursday, August 21 (7pm)

Location: In-person at the David Brower Center (2150 Allston Way Berkeley, CA) and online via Zoom

Register to attend speaker series in-person here.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87367265546?pwd=aDANKzzKy1IZ0RcYO5PD8bmMuH8hGR.1

Passcode:261212…

Hawaii is tragically known as the endangered species capital of the world and the archipelago is home to approximately one third of all endangered species in the United States. We will introduce you to Hawaii’s rare endemic birds, from petrels to honeycreepers, share the threats they face, and highlight the conservation initiatives in place to help save them from the brink of extinction. 

About Our Speaker

As a tremendous lover of birds and wildlife, Mandy Talpas has dedicated her life to avian conservation. After working in the field with birds in northeastern United States, the remote forests of southeastern Peru, and the islands of Hawaii, she launched Hawaii Bird Tours. She is honored to support Hawaii’s people, culture, land, and wildlife conservation efforts through ecotourism, as Hawaii’s only bird tour operator.

Date: Thursday, September 18 (7pm)

Location: Online via Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84537864022?pwd=ChAnB8cHWE2iWaGbqTq5CGPZyEd3cc.1

Passcode: 206218

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Learn about the biology of these charismatic birds, the largest North American shorebird: their habitats, nesting requirements and migratory journey. Learn how satellite technology is uncovering some of their mysteries and is connecting communities from the mountains of Idaho to coastal California.

About Our Speaker

Heather Hayes is a research biologist and the Community Science Coordinator for the Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) in Boise, Idaho. In addition to the Long-billed Curlew Satellite Tracking program, Heather has worked on the 8-state Western Asio flammeus
Landscape Study (WAfLS) community science program for Short-eared Owls, and the IBO’s Hummingbird Monitoring Program.
Heather loves integrating her fieldwork with education, not only in the K-12 classroom but also in Hunter’s Education.

Date: Thursday. July 24 (7pm)

Location: Online via Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83897582723?pwd=1Nc6IbOGx1PXlnVqAVBJKSUS9DFL7l.1…

Chelsea will be sharing her thoughts and perspectives on “Nest Building”. No, not bird nests per say, but rather the spaces we build to create a lasting community with our fellow birders.

About Our Speaker

Chelsea Connor is the co-founder of Black Birders Week, a 2024 GGBA Birding for Everyone Fellow, and an MS candidate at SFSU.

Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025 (7pm)

Location: Online via Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86714178233?pwd=l4bsUnQAmdRESjJ25qdNzI2aXZp4St.1

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The San Francisco Bay is the largest estuary on the west coast of the United States, and is home to a wide range of birds, from rails to shorebirds, waders, and ducks. Over 90% of the tidal wetlands around the estuary have been lost, but there is now large-scale local support for protecting and restoring the estuary. We’ll review efforts to restore San Franciso Bay wetlands, including challenges and opportunities associated with sea-level rise and climate change, and implications for local birds. 

About Our Speaker

John Callaway is a wetland ecologist who specializes in plant and soil ecology of tidal wetlands, but his original motivation for researching wetlands was driven by an interest in waterbirds. He recently retired from Department of Environmental Science at the University of San Francisco. His research has focused on sea-level rise impacts, carbon sequestration, and restoration issues for salt and brackish marshes in the San Francisco Bay estuary.

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025 (7pm)

Location: Online via Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87631566197?pwd=Eb7h5It2RWiLoBoJbzAML0KE2TYHG7.1

Passcode: 381334…