There is a rotating exhibit in Danville’s Museum of the San Ramon Valley on wildflowers and climate change, named Beauty and the Beast. This display of photographs will run until the end of March, 2020. A docent at the museum told me that the wildflower bloom occurs earlier each year and that this messes with the rest of the ecosystem.
“Erratic weather cycles cause more severe and longer droughts, followed by more frequent wet years and flooding. Native plants and life that depend upon them, are being crowded out by invasive species that benefit from this greater rainfall. Our beautiful wildflowers are losing ground.” (Quote from one of the panels in the exhibit.)
In my experience most wildflowers are really small and to see a large image of them is quite a treat! In fact they also show you the process of the photographers, Rob Badger and Nita Winter. The images span from the superbloom of the California deserts to the alpine ‘rock gardens’ of the Sierra Nevada.
To get up close with some wildflowers you can use a microscope and zoom in on some dried species.
To combat climate change you are encouraged to become a citizen scientist.
For history buffs this museum, a former train station, feed store, and a home for an eccentric artist, is also full of local artifacts. One of the most precious artifacts is a part of a Mastodon jaw.
The restroom outside in the caboose is also a lot of fun with a train driving soundtrack!
Admission to the museum is $5, it is open Tuesday to Friday 1 pm – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm and Sundays 12 pm – 3 pm.
Did you know about the relationship of wildflowers and climate change?