On Oct. 1, an event called “Bay Day” was held to build awareness and appreciation for San Francisco Bay located at the heart of our 9-county Bay Area. It was the first of what will hopefully be an annual “Bay Day” event.
Bay Day PAJMZ At Lucy Evans Welcome 2016
One organizer summed it up nicely, “Bay Day is like Earth Day, only for the Bay.” Two of the 51 events held that day were local: a walk in the Palo Alto Baylands and a drop-in event and photo exhibit after that.
Bay Day Walk The 1.6 mile walk included stops at Lucy Evans Nature Center, the Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter, and Byxbee Park. With birdwatchers, photographers, a family and tech savvy locals in tow, we comfortably navigated the trails. Thank you to The City of Palo Alto, Junior Museum & Zoo (for bringing out Sequoia the bald eagle) and the Environmental Volunteers
Bay Day Walk Group with group inside EcoCenter 2016
(EcoCenter), and to both organizations for staffing these facilities that morning.
We enjoyed the educational environmental displays at the EcoCenter, and looking down and through the “window” in the floor where you can see the Bay underneath.
Bay Day Lucy Evans Nature Center Sign City PA 2016
After the walk, there was a Drop-In Bay Day event at Keeble & Shuchat Photography in conjunction with “Walking the Bay 2” photo exhibit. The exhibit included pictures taken from the Bay Trail from all 9 counties, and included shots from Palo Alto and Mountain View baylands. People dropped by to look at photos, pick up coloring sheets, ask questions about parks and walks, and read info about local environmental organizations.
Bay Day 2016 EcoCenter
Upstream from the Bay, GreenTown volunteers are doing creek cleanups and water monitoring, helping to keep the Bay healthy. The baylands and trail systems serve as a great way to improve health and well-being. The Bay Trail, especially when connected to the Stevens Creek and other trails, can also provide a scenic, alternative commute to and from work. And commuting by bike can help cut down on vehicle miles traveled and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Bay Day Walk John with eagle “Sequoia” at Lucy Evans 2016
Measure AA’s passage will help continue to provide funds to improve infrastructure, trails, etc. along the Bay/Bay Trail.
Overall, a fun, educational event that we hope to continue for years to come.
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