The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is offering three family-friendly programs and activities free of charge on Saturday, Oct. 1 in honor of Bay Day.   The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is gearing up for Bay Day in a major way on Saturday, Oct. 1 with three major events that are free of charge to the Bay Area community. Named after former Rep. Don Edwards, the Refuge now serves as a 30,000-acre oasis for millions of migratory birds and endangered species. “The Refuge is the first urban national wildlife refuge in the country,” said Carmen Minch who serves as the Refuge’s Outdoor Recreation Planner. “It lives in three counties and nine cities, and provides wildlife habitat for endangered species and migratory birds, and offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education.” All three free activities have been carefully planned by the staff at the Refuge in honor of the first-ever Bay Day, and encourage residents and visitors alike to celebrate and learn more about the Bay’s significance to our community. “The Bay is so important ecologically,” said Minch. “Not only does the Bay and surrounding marshes provide food and shelter for organisms from plankton to fish to birds, it also provides essential ecosystem functions to all living organisms, including humans and ecosystem functions such as clean air, clean water, flood control and carbon sequestration. The Bay also gives us great recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and fantastic scenery.  We all depend on the Bay at some level and we should celebrate it!” The Refuge is offering the following family-friendly programs and activities free of charge on Bay Day Saturday, Oct. 1: Bay Day Bike Ride 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Every day is Bay Day! See the beauty of San Francisco Bay by taking a 4.5-mile bike ride that winds around Mallard Sough at Alviso and ends at Coyote Creek in San Jose. Throughout the ride you’ll learn how wetland restoration benefits the San Francisco Bay and the overall ecosystem. Bring your hybrid or mountain bike, water, helmet, and sense of adventure. You’ll never know what you’ll see. This Bike Ride will be led by Steve Dill, and meets at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso, located at 1751 Grand Blvd. Register here. Bay Day Litter Poster Making 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Using paper cuts, plastic debris and photography, visitors can flex their creative muscles to design a poster that celebrates our Bay and encourages watershed protection. This workshop is led by Michele Guieu who is exhibiting her “Coastal Clean Up” installation at the Education Center for the summer. Visitors are asked to bring their smart phone and/or tablet, and download the free app PicCollage prior to arrival. This event takes place at the Environmental Education Center in Alviso, located at 1751 Grand Blvd. Ages 7+ are encouraged to participate. Reservations are required and can be made here.  Contact Julie at (408) 262-5513 ext. 104 for more information. Bay Day Bair Island Walk 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Bair Island is now open! On this 1.5-mile walk, witness wetland restoration in progress. Hear the story of Bair Island and see how the Refuge is turning the former salt pond back into a healthy tidal marsh. Reservations are required and can be made here. Contact Julie at (408) 262-5513 ext. 104 for more information. The Bair Island Walk is located in Redwood City. Driving directions to the Bair Island Walk:  Take Highway 101 and exit at Whipple Ave. in Redwood City. Head west toward the Bay. The road winds 0.5 miles becoming East Bayshore, then Bair Island Road. The Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge Bair Island parking lot is located on the right. Meet by the restrooms.   For more information about the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge click here.