About Laura

Laura Baker is an environmental activist and former conservation chair of the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. She holds an MA in ecology and systematic biology. Growing up in Missouri, she learned early that the cure for most ills rests in spending time out in nature. She wishes for every child to have the experience of wholeness that nature provides. Laura's Knowlander blog is dedicated to building an online library of the natural history of Knowland Park so that the public may enjoy the park for the natural heritage treasure that it is. Knowing the land is a never ending process of inquiry open to all. We welcome your comments, contributions, and photos.
Author Archive | Laura

An Evening Talk with Jim Hale, Wildlife Biologist, on the Wildlife of the East Bay Hills

By on April 18, 2012 in Nature & Wildlife, Uncategorized

Jim Hale

by Laura Baker and Donna Reynolds

Guests at the talk by wildlife biologist Jim (Doc) Hale on Friday night were treated to fascinating accounts of his encounters with East Bay wildlife.  Jim grew up in the area and has been a wildlife biologist for over 40 years, tramping the hills, valleys, woodlands and creeks of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.  During the course of his career, he has studied nearly every local critter you can imagine from badgers to bobcats and skinks to skunks. Continue Reading →
Email, RSS Follow
Comments { 0 }

The “Galapagos Islands” of the East Bay Hills
What you won’t learn at the Oakland Zoo’s Earth Day, #1

By on April 12, 2012 in Nature & Wildlife, Uncategorized
After the California Native Plant Society was told that it would not be welcome to bring materials about Knowland Park’s plants and animals to the Zoo’s Earth Day (see http://www.saveknowland.org/2012/03/27/earth-day-at-the-oakland-zoo/) , we decided to share here some of what we might have presented. This is the first in a series on what you WON’T learn about Knowland Park at the Oakland Zoo’s Earth Day. As the designated steward of the park and as an organization that claims the “conservation” mantle, the Zoo should be focusing its conservation message on its own back yard. Continue Reading →
Email, RSS Follow
Comments { 1 }

Earth Day at the Oakland Zoo: New and Improved Greenwashing?

By on March 27, 2012 in Nature & Wildlife, Oakland Politics
Everyone is welcomed (well, almost everyone) to the Oakland Zoo for its Earth Day,April 14. The theme this year is “Action for Animals”. Local environmental organizations have been invited for a fee of $30 to set up a table and bring informational materials about what they do to protect the environment. It is suggested that groups may want to bring materials to conduct letter-writing campaigns to further their cause. The event is described on the zoo's website: Continue Reading →
Email, RSS Follow
Comments { 3 }

When the Swallows Come Back to Knowland Park

By on March 19, 2012 in Nature & Wildlife, Uncategorized
Every March the California town of San Juan Capistrano celebrates the return of cliff swallows to the mission where they flock to build their nests. This annual migration is such a predictable event that the town has built an entire tourist industry out of it. Continue Reading →
Email, RSS Follow
Comments { 0 }

Poison Oak

By on March 13, 2012 in Nature & Wildlife
Poison oak! Does your skin itch at the very thought of this common plant? If you've ever accidentally brushed up against poison oak and developed a skin rash, you know how uncomfortable that can be. So, what's the good of poison oak? Can't we just get rid of it once and for all? Continue Reading →
Email, RSS Follow
Comments { 0 }