The Cupertino Courier
News
New Audubon director answers call of the wild
By HUGH BIGGAR
Birds in the freezer are just one of the challenges new Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Executive Director Bob Power faces as he takes the reins at the group's headquarters in Cupertino.
Power, 51, has worked with trails and wildlife since moving to the Bay Area from Kentucky in 1980. His background includes working in stores specializing in merchandise for the outdoors, including as store manager of the REI outlet on Homestead Road. He's been a trail manager for the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, led birding classes for the Audubon Society and volunteered with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory's hawk-watch program.
His interest in birding and wildlife made him a natural fit for the Audubon Society position when former director Brenda Torres-Baretto moved to New York City in the spring.
Power will oversee Santa Clara Valley projects and, with the chapter's headquarters in Cupertino, bring his expertise to local issues.
The Cupertino issues sit particularly close to home since the chapter has its headquarters in McClellan Ranch--site of a controversial park and trail project.
Power is enthusiastic about Stevens Creek Corridor Park plans for creek restoration, but less so about a multi-use trail.
"Reestablishing and resolving more traditional flow and habitat is great for birds and wildlife," he said of plans to align the creek closer to its historic boundaries and remove concrete walls from its banks.
Plans for a bicycle and pedestrian trail through the city generate more concern, however.
"There are concerns from our members and our environmental action committee about the impact on wildlife and the preserve," said chapter member Nancy Teater of McClellan Ranch, home to bobcats, coyotes, deer, kites, red-tailed hawks and possum.
"Wildlife see humans as predators, especially fast-moving humans on bicycles and roller blades, and that could be a problem," Power said, "especially if the bicyclists start going off-road on unauthorized trails."
He noted other issues of concern as dogs off-leash, adequate signage to keep people on trails and the location of community gardens on the 23.5 acres of open space at McClellan.
"We hope to work with the city to see the trail implemented in the most preserve-friendly manner," Power said, "and make sure it's maintained and the garbage gets picked up."
At the same time, Power plans to continue the society's ongoing activities in the Santa Clara Valley such as serving as an adviser to the water district and to other agencies on large development projects. Power also hopes to expand his chapter's membership of 4,000; increase the number of volunteers; add more corporate partners (it currently partners with Yahoo on a wetlands education project in San Jose, Sunnyvale and Cupertino schools); and find a taxidermist to take care of the bird specimens in the Audubon freezer.
Overall, though, he wants others to share his love of wildlife.
"It's wonderful to see wildlife such as blue heron and quail sentinels in their natural habitat thriving," he said. "It's very visceral when you are out there with them."
For more information on the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, including volunteering or classes, call 408.252.3747 or visit www.scvas.org.
