A family of foxes has made Facebook’s Menlo Park Headquarters their home (photo by Richard Zadorozny)

Perhaps sensing the “friendly” nature of Facebook’s business, a family of foxes chose to raise their young in the Zen garden on the campus, and as a result added approximately 2,500 proud, adoptive parents to their skulk (yes, that really is the proper term for a group of foxes). The new family members? The entire staff at Facebook.

Following the antics of the adorable parents and their three pups on the FB Fox page provides a daily dose of cuteness, but even more heartwarming for me is observing how the employees have become caretakers to these animals. Wildlife in urban areas—and especially in the middle of a busy company office park—are often treated as pests and removed or killed. Instead, Facebook embraced having these wild creatures trotting along Hacker Road and lounging outside office windows.

One of the facebook foxes strolls by the Sweet Shop on the campus (photo by Burhan Syed)

Relaxing after a hard day’s work of posing for photos. (photo by Jeff Ferland)

Alexis Smith, a Facebook marketing team member who started the FB Fox page, also felt inspired by the staff rallying around the foxes:

“I loved how the foxes brought everyone together—that people cared that the animals made their home on our campus and that they merited respect from everyone.”

As is evident from the motto of the FB Fox page itself, “Please honor the MPK Fox—no chasing or feeding—just mutual respect.” Staff posted signs in the Zen garden asking people to keep their distance. An employee recently shared a photo of one of the foxes resting under his automobile, and warned, “Before you drive off, please check if there is a fox under or near your car.” Not the usual job duties that accompany working for a high tech firm, but these employees have embraced it.

Watch a video of the irresistibly cute pups playing made by Facebook employee, John Mendiola, a security systems engineer.

Reports of foxes at the campus had been circulating for about a year, but Jacqueline Rooney, who works in corporate communications, initially thought the sightings were the stuff of urban legends. “I didn’t believe we actually had foxes here until this family arrived and set up home in our garden—sightings then became pretty commonplace.”

The first sighting of the mother fox occurred right outside Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s office window—these foxes certainly know the right people to “friend.” Zuckerberg took a personal interest in the foxes, and his liking the FB Fox page resulted in thousands of followers being added in just hours. To date, over 17,000 people from all over the world tune in to see the latest adventures of the fox family—some from as far away as Pakistan and Afghanistan—and Alexis avidly shares the latest photo encounters and observations from the employees. For Alexis, her favorite fox moment came when she first viewed the pups, and the pictures demonstrate how easily it is to become smitten with these three “foxeteers” from observing them wrestle in the garden, chase each other’s tails, or nurse from mom on a public walkway.

One of the adorable three “foxeteers” born and raised on the Facebook campus (Photo by Renee Glenn)

One of the Facebook foxes sticking his tongue out for the camera (Randall Finley/wildlifist.com)

But perhaps the most endearing action shots involve what makes the animal distinct from its relatives. Although the gray fox is the most widely distributed fox in California, it possesses one unusual trait, as Tamara Eder, author of Mammals of California describes. “Truly a crafty fox, the Common Gray Fox is known to elude predators by taking the most unexpected of turns—running up a tree.”  The FB foxes dart up trees and climb up on the awnings above walkways, napping contentedly above people as they pass underneath.

Gray foxes can climb trees and the Facebook foxes often climbed to the top of the walkway awnings to take a nap. (Photo by Joel Seligstein).

Much to the dismay of the FB Fox fans, Alexis recently announced that the foxes had moved from their den under the deck and dispersed, a post that met with much protest from employees and followers, who implored the young foxes to return. “Come back! there are plenty of great local colleges. I am not ready for you to be away from home,” read one.

Although the foxes have vacated their den now that the pups have grown, they have not left the campus entirely and regular sightings continue. Followers can take comfort in knowing that they will probably reuse the den for breeding next year, as researcher Bill Leikam points out. “Once the pups are gone from the area in which they were born, that particular territory is then available for the adults to return to their traditional den and have their new litter raised in familiar territory.”

When they return to raise a new family, the foxes will be pleased to note their choice of a home is now Ranger Rick approved! When I visited the campus last week, I presented Facebook with the National Wildlife Federation’s official Certified Wildlife Habitat® designation—they had certainly earned it by being fox-friendly. Alexis Smith, who grew up reading Ranger Rick magazine and inherited a love of the natural world from her parents, appreciated receiving the certification. “I was always extremely excited whenever a new Ranger Rick arrived in the mailbox.”

NWF’s California Director, Beth Pratt (and Ranger Rick) presenting the Certified Wildlife Habitat sign to Facebook’s Alexis Smith in the Zen garden where the foxes raised their young (photo by Jacqueline Rooney/Facebook)

The new sign is already on display in the Community Garden, a favorite hangout for the foxes. Our thanks to Facebook and their employees for lending wildlife a helping hand!

Want to make a difference for wildlife in your yard, schoolyard, church, business, neighborhood, or community? Check out the NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat® program website or Facebook page.

Follow NWF California on Facebook for more great wildlife stories and photos from across the Golden State!

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As part of the research for her upcoming book, “When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: Wildlife in Today’s California,” NWF’s California Director, Beth Pratt, is visiting the critter-friendly backyards, schoolyards, businesses and communities of dedicated Californians across the state to celebrate how they are personally making a difference for wildlife. Learn more about the project on the NWF California website or if you have a good wildlife story to share email her at prattb@nwf.org

Dragonflies, Downy Woodpecker, swans, Garter Snake, ladybugs, Red-winged Blackbirds, beetles, ducks and a just hatched aquatic turtle who really wanted to make its first trip to the pond.  That is not typically the list of wildlife one expects to find while viewing the skyline of downtown Manhattan, but all of these species are living just behind the Statue of Liberty.

Google Maps, Gmail, Images, Earth, Finance and Analytics are all products on which much of the world has come to rely for living on the internet.  On June 5, Liberty Park relied on a group of Googlers to help them restore park wildlife habitat after hurricane Sandy.  Liberty Park is just across the Hudson River from downtown NYC, just offshore is Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The park was devastated by the hurricane – the park staff only recently was able to return to occupy their offices after severe flooding.  Liberty Park is an urban park jewel, it includes a natural area with wooded trails, pond and butterfly garden.  Naturally this is the kind of area where National Wildlife Federation wanted to focus a restoration effort.

Snapdragon, American Holly, Milkweed, Bayberry, Foxglove, Coneflower and Winterberry are all plant and tree species that Google trucked in to put in the ground one by one.  National Wildlife Federation partnered with Google to bring in this native vegetation to repair a site that will benefit the whole community, this natural area and garden is used for educational programs for the public and school groups.  Inner city school kids, many of whom never play in outdoor settings, will now be able to spend time here learning about ecosystems, exploring a new environment and getting connected to nature.  Googlers in NYC now know where they can escape the city, view local wildlife and maybe get inspired to create a new app – Google Wildlife.

May 31, Goldman Sachs crew.

Secretary Jewell and NWF at Gateway National Recreation Area.

The company trucked in 2,000 native plants and proceeded to physically get them in the ground one by one, sometimes digging with clam shells found in the sand, not easy work in the 90-degree sun. The volunteers had a real interest in planting properly to help the plants’ survival rates, and many people said they wanted to come back next spring to see the project results.

Photo by Tara Eisenberg

The project partnership between Goldman Sachs and National Wildlife Federation is a prime example of different entities pooling resources to create positive impact for the community at large.  To solve our large-scale issues in sustainability, wildlife habitat or climate change, partnerships are the key; private industry, government agencies, nonprofits and average citizen’s collaborative work is the formula for success.

While the press may have moved on the from post Hurricane Sandy work, New York City has not.

Last week the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council released a draft plan for restoring the Gulf in the wake of the BP oil disaster. While there is much to like in the recent draft, the Restoration Council is also under enormous outside pressure to approve development projects that in some cases can actually cause further harm.

Speak Up In Person!

Now is the public’s opportunity to have its voice heard and let the Council know that we want BP’s oil spill fines to be used solely on projects that help restore the Gulf. The Restoration Council will be holding listening sessions in each of the five Gulf States.

Let the Council know that:

• We appreciate that the Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Draft Initial Plan further elaborates on the requirements of the RESTORE Act that the Council-selected Restoration Allocation (30%) will be dedicated solely to ecosystem restoration projects. The Council should maintain an environmental restoration focus.

• The Impact-Based State allocations, 30% of the RESTORE Act dollars, should not fund projects that will do harm to the environment. The Final Plan should require that provides a net environmental gain.

• The Draft Plan indicates the Council will seek further public comment on a project list. The Final Plan must ensure that the public is granted the opportunity to comment and participate in all phases of plan and project development. It’s important for stakeholders to provide input on the projects that will inevitably affect people in the Gulf and throughout the nation.

**Click here alerts@nwf.org to RSVP for one of the upcoming public meetings**

Have your voice heard! Attend the public meetings and let the Council know you want the Gulf ecosystems restored. Our livelihoods depend on it. (Photo credit: Flickr / Infrogmation)

June 5, 2013
Spanish Fort, AL – 6:00 pm CST
The Tensaw Theater at 5 Rivers
Alabama’s Delta Resource Center
30945 Five Rivers Boulevard
Spanish Fort, Alabama

June 10, 2013
Galveston, TX– 6:00- 8:00 pm CST
Texas A&M University, Galveston
200 Seawolf Parkway, Bldg 3007
Galveston, TX 77554

June 11, 2013
Mississippi – 6:00 pm CST (registration begins at 5:00 pm CST)
Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center
2350 Beach Blvd
Biloxi, MS 39531

June 12, 2013
Belle Chasse, LA – 6:30 pm CST (doors open at 6:00 pm CST)
Belle Chasse Auditorium
8398 Louisiana Hwy 23
Belle Chasse, LA 70037

June 17, 2013
St. Petersburg, FL – 5:30–9:00 pm EST
Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commissions’ Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Ave. SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Click here to learn more about the RESTORE Act and how it can help the Gulf of Mexico.

A male house sparrow is on Craig’s List of backyard wildlife (photo by Craig Newmark)

Yet in between his eclectic posts like a link to an article titled, “Is This Virtual Worm the First Sign of the Singularity?,” his dedicated advocacy for veterans rights, and even answering customer questions for Craigslist (his official title reads Customer Service Representative & Founder), I started noticing a curious pattern.

Squirrels.

Squirrels gathering at a birdbath or raiding a birdfeeder. Or the Mission Impossible-esque squirrel surveillance and reconnaissance video series, where Craig applies his high-tech skills to catch some undeniably cute home intruders red-handed. And his interest in squirrels is not cursory—last year he even announced his intent to create “A New Era of Squirrel Based Activism,” and initiated a #Squirrels4Good fundraising campaign for the National Wildlife Federation.

We’re both self-described nerds (I post YouTube videos of backyard frogs while Craig is, well, Craig), so Mr. Newmark’s nerd stock rose even higher in my estimation when I began noticing his Scuiridae postings. Yes, I connected with a pioneer of the internet not over our common passion for open source systems or strategic web platforms but rather our shared adoration of these bushy tailed, backyard acrobats.

Why the affection for squirrels? As Craig told me in a recent interview:

“Squirrels are survivors; they impressively adapt to the urban environment. My favorite encounters are caught on webcam, where I can see one very smart squirrel coming in to check things out. No interior video, but, well, after seeing the video, I see something to the right of my keyboard, and let’s say, well, that’s not a raisin.”

And it’s not just squirrels that might wander into Craig’s home and leave some mementos. Craig also regularly shares his photos capturing an array of other backyard wildlife. I’ve joked with him that his dwelling in San Francisco might contain more biodiversity than my rural home outside Yosemite. It’s almost a fair fight, he observes, as he does have the benefit of being located near urban greenspace. “I live in the Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, in an odd side street that backs into Sutro Forest. Sutro Forest is an actual forest in the middle of the city, near Golden Gate Park. It’s large enough to have surprises, like a coyote sighting by two different people. It has hiking trails; I’ve been up there twice with the missus.”

Rock doves (photo by Craig Newmark)

Recently married, Craig’s wife Eileen shares his bird and squirrel watching enthusiasm and he gives her full credit on Facebook when she snags a life lister bird or snaps a photo. Craig’s roster of avian sightings in his backyard alone is impressive—42 species and counting as of May 2013—and he documents them in “Eileen and Craig’s Birdography Spectacular” online photo collection. If the technology thing ever fizzles, Craig could easily switch to wildlife photography as a profession.

Given the abundance of critters he sees, what are some of his most memorable encounters? “For me, maybe the first times I saw the most unexpected of birds, particularly hummingbirds, various raptors, and only twice, red-headed conures, a kind of wild parrot. For the missus, the times when a tree rat darted out from behind a plant pot, or maybe more recently when a pair of raccoons tried to break in.”

Anna’s hummingbird in Craig’s backyard (photo by Craig Newmark)

Close-up of an Anna’s hummingbird (Photo by Craig Newmark)

And what animals would he like to add to his wish list of backyard visitors? “I’d like to get a good sighting of the coyote, we could hang out and be pals, though Crosby the next door terrier wouldn’t be so keen about that.”

I’m guessing the squirrels might not like it as well.

A sharp shinned hawk considers his dinner prospects outside Craig’s window (Photo by Craig Newmark)

Want to make a difference for wildlife in your yard, schoolyard, church, business, neighborhood, or community? Check out the NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat® program.

Want some virtual squirrel fun? Check out the new Squirrel vs. Birdfeeder app from NWF.

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As part of the research for her upcoming book, “When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: Wildlife in Today’s California,” NWF’s California Director, Beth Pratt, is visiting the critter-friendly backyards, schoolyards, businesses and communities of dedicated Californians across the state to celebrate how they are personally making a difference for wildlife. Learn more about the project on the NWF California website.

Do you know how to properly fit a life vest?

We hope that you get outside and run and play this weekend, and if you are riding your bike or boating that you wear a properly fitted helmet or life jacket. The US Coast Guard has a lot of information on safety rules and how to select the correct life jacket, and here in Seattle there are a lot of resources available for bicycle safety.

Peter Coyote’s wildlife-friendly yard welcomes foxes and other animals. (Photo by Peter Coyote)

His wild menagerie (complemented with two personable cats, Jackson and Pearl) attests to his lifelong affinity for nature. “I’ve always been fascinated by animals and have felt a kinship. By the time I was eight years old I realized that everything in the world was alive and connected, and had its own business—and you didn’t interrupt it without consequences.”

A resident of Marin County in Northern California since the 1970’s, Coyote has witnessed some of the negative consequences of our actions on the natural world and considers his efforts for wildlife as simply being a good neighbor. “Habitat for wildlife is continually shrinking—I can at least provide a way station.”

Peter Coyote in the gardens at his northern California home (Photo by Beth Pratt).

Indeed, the natural world and his official dwelling seem indistinguishable, an extension of each other. From the road a series of winding staircases suspended among the redwood trees overlook ferns and other lush foliage in the creek bed below. Inside the home, you feel as if you were in the comforting embrace of a giant tree trunk. Peter describes the intent of the design: “my house and my garden are built as part of nature, not over it.”

The animals have definitely noticed the welcome mat he has extended. The garden is simply the native landscape enhanced and retains the memory of days when Roosevelt elk and grizzly bears freely roamed the area. Native wildlife—albeit smaller than the historical mega-fauna—still flock to his mini-backyard nature reserve. Peter also supplements the native plants with bird feeders. The well stocked stash of sunflower seeds entice the titmice and juncos to visit, while goldfinches feed on his offerings of gourmet thistle. While we ate lunch on his deck, a Nutall’s woodpecker eyed the suet.

A Nutall’s woodpecker eyes the feeder (Photo by Beth Pratt)

A raccoon and skunk parade (Photo by Peter Coyote).

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As part of the research for her upcoming book, When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: Wildlife in Today’s California, NWF’s California Director, Beth Pratt, is visiting the wildlife-friendly backyards, schoolyards, businesses and communities of dedicated Californians across the state to celebrate how they are personally making a difference for wildlife.

A pair of bald eaglets in West Newbury, MA (MA Energy & Environmental Affairs on Flickr)

Success Story

First, the good news. Massachusetts announced this week that bald eagles, once completely wiped out in the state, are now soaring to a strong comeback:

Officials from the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) verified 30 active nests in the Commonwealth, including eight nests along the Connecticut River, six at the Quabbin Reservoir and four along the Merrimack River during Massachusetts’ first Bald Eagle nesting survey. The survey, coordinated by the DFG’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and involving agency staff and 35 volunteers, was conducted on April 5, 2013.

In addition to the principal bald eagle nesting territories along the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers and at Quabbin Reservoir, other active nests were observed at Wachusett Reservoir, and in the towns of Framingham, Brookfield, Pittsfield, Webster, Middleborough, Fall River and Plymouth. One nest failure was reported at Assawompsett Pond in Lakeville, where the wind blew a nest and two eggs out of the nest tree in early April. Additional eagle sightings were reported in Arlington, Carver, Lunenburg, Russell, Sandisfield and along the Housatonic River.

Bald eagles, the largest bird of prey native to Massachusetts with a body length of about 3 feet and a wingspan of up to seven feet, have increased in numbers in Massachusetts since being reintroduced to the Quabbin Reservoir between 1982 and 1988. The species was down listed from Endangered to Threatened status in Massachusetts in 2011 and removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007.

To report a bald eagle sighting in Massachusetts, email the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program natural.heritage@state.ma.us.

Mercury’s Threat to Bald Eagles

Bald eagles, our national symbol & once common across North America, were pushed to the brink of extinction by the pesticide DDT, pollution from heavy metals like mercury, hunting, habitat loss, and other factors. While we stopped using DDT, banned hunting, and restored what Aldo Leopold called our land ethic, mercury pollution remains a major threat to bald eagles.

Heavy metals are emitted through the burning of fossil fuels and are washed to our waterways, then bioaccumulate in predators at the top of the food chain:

• If a small fish eats 50 mercury contaminated plants.
• And a large fish eats 100 small fish
• And an eagle eats 100 large fish.
• 50 x 100 x 100 = 250,000. The concentration of mercury in the eagle is 250,000 times larger than it was in the plankton.

It’s not uncommon for sick bald eagles to test positive for mercury poisoning.

Presenting Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, with comments from NWF’s activists.

A Fighter for Wildlife

That’s why it’s so critical for America’s wildlife that Gina McCarthy is confirmed as Environmental Protection Agency administrator as soon as possible. She has a long track record of experience limiting mercury pollution at both the state and federal levels, working for both Democrats and Republicans. Appointed by Gov. William Weld (R-MA) to be executive director of the administrative council at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, McCarthy ran the nation’s largest pollution prevention program, called the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Program.

Then working as head of the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation, McCarthy oversaw development of the new Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) setting emission limits for power plants in order to reduce mercury, arsenic and other toxic air pollution. The MATS rule will not only protect wildlife, it will deliver huge public health benefits for Americans, preventing up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks every single year.

But polluter allies in Congress are working hard to block Gina McCarthy’s confirmation. Republicans on the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee refused to even show up for a vote, delaying McCarthy’s confirmation indefinitely. “Given Gina McCarthy’s long record of non-partisan public service, it’s inexcusable for her nomination to be politicized by senators prioritizing industrial polluters over public health protection,” said Larry Schweiger, president & CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. Some of those senators did, however, make time that same morning for fundraisers with lobbyists for big polluters like BP & Exxon Mobil.

Ask your senators to protect wildlife by giving Gina McCarthy a clean vote.

NWF volunteers spent the day planting native grasses to help rebuild dunes devastated by Hurricane Sandy

On May 4, 2013, National Wildlife Federation and the National Park Service brought in some people who know something about buildings to help us do some building.  On a sunny Saturday, 15 employee volunteers from Cushman & Wakefield, one of the biggest commercial real estate firms around,  joined us to work on a dunes restoration project. Part of a series of Ranger Rick Restores Days being held throughout the tri-state region, the volunteers spent the day planting shoots of Seaside Golden Rod in rows on the beach to start a new foundation for a 1000 foot long sand dune.

Park Ranger Dan Meharg explained to the group that these plants and the dunes not only provide habitat for local wild birds but for migrating monarch butterflies that are in a state of decline due to habitat loss and the use of commercial pesticides.  These vegetated sand dunes outside NYC give the monarchs a stopover safe haven that can help to build their numbers thousands of miles away.

The restoration work required kneeling in the sand and digging with seashell or one’s hand to create a place for one plant at a time.  Each small plant in the sand was a building action: the foundation for new physical protection for millions of people from future weather, the start of new habitat for local wildlife and for a species moving across the hemisphere, and for each planter kneeling in the sand, the building of a new connection to nature.

Courtesy of Conservation Council for Hawai’i

Advocating for Native Species

Guided by a dedicated board and led by a dynamic and deeply committed executive director, CCH has launched numerous campaigns over the years seeking to protect imperiled native species, including coral reef fishes, marine mammals such as the ilioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seal) and kohola (humpback whale), seabirds such as the ‘a‘o (Newell’s shearwater) and ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel), and forest birds such as the palila.

CCH served as the lead plaintiff in three successful lawsuits under the federal Endangered Species Act that not only led to the listing of more than 250 Hawaiian plants and animals as threatened or endangered but secured designation of critical habitat for dozens of these species. CCH was also one of the lead organizations on the E Ho‘omau! Campaign to preserve cultural and natural heritage by securing permanent adequate funding for the state’s Natural Area Reserves System. The system’s 20 reserves protect wildlife, cultural sites and geologic features. CCH is currently engaged in ongoing legal action to compel the State of Hawai‘i to prepare an environmental assessment or impact statement for issuing permits to collect fish and invertebrates for the aquarium trade.

Giving a Voice to the Hawaiian Monk Seal

Hawaiian monk seal in its native habitat by Vanderlip

Connecting Kids and Nature

Each year since the 1970s, CCH has produced a wildlife poster that is distributed free to all public, private, charter and language immersion schools in the Aloha State. Recent versions have combined beautiful artwork by Hawai‘i-based artists with in-depth educational information for teachers and students. The poster effort began as part of NWF’s annual National Wildlife Week celebration.

Highlighting Threats to Flora and Fauna

As the most isolated archipelago on the planet, the Hawaiian Islands are home to hundreds of rare species and fragile ecosystems found nowhere else in the world. These Hawaiian flora and fauna face unprecedented threats from invasive non-native species, human development, climate change, and inadequate funding and political support to fully protect species and their habitats. CCH draws attention to the serious consequences of climate change on the island’s habitats and to the dangers non-native ungulates (hoofed mammals), rodents, insects and other invasive species pose to native plants and wildlife.

CCH sets the bar for scientifically grounded positions on critical wildlife issues and is widely recognized for its diligent work to make sure all voices are brought to the table in the efforts to protect Hawai‘i’s endangered native wildlife. Congratulations to the board, staff and volunteers of CCH for the Affiliate of the Year recognition!