At UWRP, we study the behavior of gray foxes and other wildlife in the San Francisco Bay Area to support the conservation of the biodiverse habitats they need to thrive. Through research, advocacy, and public education, we work to promote coexistence between people and wildlife.
The Urban Wildlife Research Project is dedicated to preserving habitats and wildlife corridors in the greater Palo Alto Baylands, ensuring that gray foxes and other species can thrive alongside humans.
Since 2009, Bill Leikam, known as “The Fox Guy,” has monitored gray foxes twice daily, gathering trail camera data and firsthand observations. His work is focused on creating healthier environments for our urban wildlife neighbors, who face increasing challenges due to shrinking habitats.
The Matadero Creek Wildlife Corridor Restoration Initiative
In the 1980s, Valley Water transformed the Silicon Valley landscape by replacing natural creeks with concrete channels to control flooding. While effective for water management, this alteration severed vital wildlife corridors between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Baylands, leading to habitat fragmentation, inbreeding, and weakened immune systems in local species. Gray foxes, raccoons, and skunks have nearly disappeared due to disease outbreaks, while rodent populations have surged. Additionally, high-velocity runoff has likely driven federally threatened steelhead trout to local extinction.
To restore ecological balance, a proposed project seeks to remove these concrete barriers, reconnect wildlife corridors, and rehabilitate riparian habitats. This initiative would enable wildlife to move freely, strengthen genetic diversity, and improve the resilience of local ecosystems. Restoring Matadero Creek and similar waterways is a crucial step toward ensuring a thriving and biodiverse Bay Area.
NEW INTERVIEW
UWRP on Ologies with Alie Ward
We here at the Urban Wildlife Research Project are proud to announce that the Alie Ward interview for her internationally acclaimed podcast Ologies is now live. The podcast can be accessed on any of the podcast “stations” online such as Apple, Spotify iHeart, Podbay, or here at her website https://www.alieward.com/ologies/urocynology.
Enjoy and please, spread the word through your personal networks.
Alie said, “Thank you so, so much for being on the show. This is one of my favorites and I’m so excited to have listeners get to know you and our little gray fox friends! We also plugged the non-profit, your book, and the documentary! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!”
Her audience is between 300,000 and 400,000 people and for every episode she draws down approximately 3 million downloads. I’d say that’s a rather respectable audience for the gray foxes!
Gray Fox Reports
Monthly reports by William C. Leikam
President, CEO & Co-founder, Urban Wildlife Research Project
Featured Video
The "Triggered by Motion" Experience
a documentary by Jessica Hatfield
Triggered By Motion is a captivating video installation showcasing a year’s worth of trail camera footage from 21 conservation projects around the globe, synchronized and displayed at the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich. Among the featured research is work by the Urban Wildlife Research Project’s own Bill Leikam. In April 2022, Bill traveled from California to Switzerland to witness this breathtaking exhibition firsthand.
More Videos
Trail Camera Footage
Collaborations
Interviews
Lectures
To dive deeper into Bill’s incredible legacy of researching gray foxes, check out his latest book: ‘The Road to Fox Hollow’
Support our work in ensuring gray foxes and all wildlife continue to live alongside us on our beautiful land.