Tierramor Hikes

10/10/2026

The County of Santa Clara Vector Control District has detected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in several areas of the county. They can transmit dangerous diseases, such as dengue, yellow fever, and Zika. These mosquitoes can lay eggs in the slightest bit of water. Help do your part to prevent them from taking hold in your neighborhood by dumping, draining, and cleaning items that collect water. Learn more at https://vector.santaclaracounty.gov/invasive-mosquitoes/aedes-aegypti.

10/04/2026

From the Santa Lucia preserve: "The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recently released its comprehensive statewide bobcat study, estimating approximately 62,000 bobcats in California. While the population appears stable overall, the study identifies important threats to their numbers, including disease, habitat fragmentation, and exposure to rodenticides.

One particularly troubling finding: Nearly 78% of deceased bobcats tested had been exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides."
(image is from my own, apparently healthy, bobcat sighting at Sunol regional wilderness, Califor ia.

09/05/2026

September is , which is a great time for a reminder on how to be courteous to nature and the animals who live there.

Here are some of our top tips for treating wildlife with courtesy and respect:

💚 LEAVE THEM ALONE!
💚 Admire from a respectful and safe distance.
💚 Don't approach, chase, or feed. Even for a photo.
💚 Don't attempt to handle up animals, even smaller ones, like lizards and frogs. This leads to unnecessary stress for the animal and can result in getting bitten.
💚 Never remove any animal from the wild as this can harm them and impact local populations.
💚 Did we mention leave them alone?

At the end of the day, approaching and harassing wildlife (even for a photo) is disrespectful AND risky to your own safety.

Let’s strive to be kind and respectful to nature and all that inhabit it. 🤝🐾❤️

F️or more tips about keeping wildlife (and yourself) safe, check out our blog! https://www.openspaceauthority.org/whats-new/guide-keeping-wildlife-and-yourself-safe

Graphic inspired by National Park Service

08/28/2026

08/16/2026

08/02/2026

07/30/2026

This calving season, remember to keep it moo-ving. 🐮 August through October is the time of year that you're likely to see young calves among grazing herds in East Bay Regional Parks. We know, they're cute and fluffy, but for your safety and the safety of the cattle, no touching! Here are some of our udderly essential DOs/DO NOTs:

🐂 DO NOT approach.
🐄 DO admire the calves from afar.
🐂 DO NOT get between mother cows and young calves.
🐄 DO keep your distance to avoid causing cows distress.
🐂 DO NOT worry if you see a calf by itself.
🐄 DO assume the mother cow is nearby and will return.
🐂 DO NOT approach, touch, or try to relocate a calf by itself. This includes selfies!
🐄 DO keep your dogs on a leash where livestock are present.

If you believe a calf is in significant distress or appears to be injured, sick, or dead, please note the location, the color of the animal, the ear tag number, and report it to park staff at (510) 881-1833.

📷 John 'K' on Flickr