October Regional Nature Journal Club Field Trip @ Big Break Regional Shoreline

Let’s take a break!
At Big Break, that is! A visit to the “Inland Coast” promises water, birds, views, and estuarial habitat.

From the website: “Big Break Regional Shoreline is a part of the massive Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Water flowing past Big Break (via the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers) drains half of California and creates the largest estuarine environment on the Pacific coast.” Pretty cool, right?

From the parking area, a 1/4 mile walk takes you to the Delta Discovery Experience, a 1,200-square-foot interactive map of the Delta that demonstrates the flow of water throughout the area. Sounds amazing!

• Learn more about the location here: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/big-break
• It's also part of the SF Bay Water Trail: https://sfbaywatertrail.org/trailhead/big-break-regional-shoreline/
• Free; Suggested $20 donation for the Wild Wonder Foundation.

Field trip hosts:

• Brooke Morales, Nature Journal Facilitator
• Kate Rutter, Regional Nature Journal Club Trip host

Weather note:
If for any reason excessive heat or rain is forecast for the day of the field trip, wear appropriate clothes/grab an umbrella and come anyway. There’s not a lot of cover, but we can journal the hot or wet conditions! Do note that conditions may be windy, wet or hot, so bring a hat and plenty of water and sunscreen.

Transit & Parking:

• Public Transit is not readily available, but you can take BART to Antioch station and get a carpool or rideshare from there.
• Please post a note in the Meetup comments or email the host to see about carpools.
• No-cost parking is available in the park lot. (106 spots)

How to find us:
Meet near the parking lots, on the path to the Visitor Center, at the benches near the bathrooms. (If you come a little late, look for people sketching. :)
* Location Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8ViMdLocPgxNSrBs8

Bring:

• Seasonally appropriate clothing / dress for variable (including HOT or WINDY) weather.
• Sunscreen and hat.
• Waterbottle (water is available onsite.)
• Nature journaling supplies.
• Potluck Lunch: Bring potluck treats to share for lunch, and bring your own bowl and spoon.
• A sense of wonder and humor.
• Anything else to make the day lovely for you: folding stool, magnifying loupe, umbrella, depending. ;)

Flow of the day:

• We'll gather together for our opening circle at 10am and do short intros and a warm-up. Then we'll head out for journaling, either in small clusters, or solo, whichever you prefer.
• We'll re-gather together at 12:30 for lunch, to share work, and to socialize. Then we'll head back out for more journaling!
• Lucky us! It’s Bat Awareness Day, and there will be a drop-in program at the Visitor Center from 2-3pm.
• We'll meet again at 3:30 for a final closing circle and connection time, then wrap.

Good to know:

• Open to all ages and ability levels. No registration is necessary. $20 suggested donation.
• Accessibility: paved and relatively flat and accessible pathways; benches and seating; Wheelchair accessible drinking fountains and a wheelchair-friendly restroom are located adjacent to the trail.
• Bathrooms are available onsite.
• Cell coverage may be moderate so plan accordingly.

Bring friends and family!