Recreation Archives

A colony of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats flies near Austin, Texas.

From Fear to Fascination: Understanding the Essential Role of Marin County’s Bats in Our Ecosystem

October 24, 2024

Marin County’s 13 species of bats are essential to the ecosystem, eating nocturnal insects and agricultural pests, building biodiversity, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds.

cows trotting through a field, kicking up dust

Enhancing Marin’s Rangelands: Innovative Soil Amendment Strategies for Landowners

October 11, 2024

As ranchers and farmers know, healthy soil is the foundation of viable agriculture and resilient ecosystems. Here in Marin, one ranch, with the support of the CDFA and MALT, is experimenting with using soil amendments traditionally used in orchards and row crops – gypsum and lime – in a rangeland setting.

Tarantula Hawk: These Wasps Lay Their Eggs in the Backs of Tarantulas

October 9, 2024

California’s tarantula hawk is one of the greatest monsters of the insect world. While these spider wasps might sound like something dreamed up by a Hollywood horror writer, the unfortunate reality is that this parasitoid wasp is no science fiction invention. The tarantula hawk’s reproductive rituals are one of the most terrifying natural history stories…

Poets on the Land: Heather Bourbeau

October 2, 2024

Art is fundamental to human existence. In all its many forms, art can help guide us towards our sense of place. Right here at home, West Marin with its pastoral beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and dramatic seashore has inspired many artists and poets – past and present. Recently, a Bay Area poet spent time at the…