Volcan Mountain Foundation

Saturday, September 27: We’ll begin with a guided walk around our nature center, identifying a variety of edible and non-edible berries while learning about their uses, folklore and how and when to harvest them. Then, we’ll come together to craft rustic elderberry and chokecherry galettes, blackberry chia jam, and berry-rosehip tea – a true celebration of nature’s fall bounty!  To top it off, we’ll enjoy our handmade treats with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Come gather, create, and indulge in the magic of the fall wild harvest!

Sunday, September 28: We’ll begin with a guided walk around our nature center, identifying a variety of edible and non-edible berries while learning about their uses, folklore and how and when to harvest them. Then, we’ll come together to craft rustic elderberry and chokecherry galettes, blackberry chia jam, and berry-rosehip tea – a true celebration of nature’s fall bounty!  To top it off, we’ll enjoy our handmade treats with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Come gather, create, and indulge in the magic of the fall wild harvest!

Sunday, August 24: Join Janice Smith, VMF’s Education Coordinator and Certified Forest Therapy Guide, on a guided Forest Bathing walk at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. This is a new program of bi-monthly Forest Bathing walks offered through VMF.

What is Forest Bathing?  

Saturday, September 20: The Volcan Mountain Foundation is partnering with I Love a Clean San Diego to clean up VMF's Copper Spur Ranch. The focus will be to remove trash items in a forested area near the headwaters of the San Dieguito River. By participating in this clean-up, you will be restoring the forest to a healthy ecosystem. 

The Volcan Mountain Foundation greatly appreciates the time and energy volunteers take to restore the beautiful ecosystems of the Volcan Mountains in Julian, CA.

Date: Saturday, September 20

Sunday, July 20: Join VMF's Outdoor Naturalist, Janice Smith, as we explore the summer flavors of Volcan Mountain. We will start with a walk in the forest, collecting edible plants that we will use to create a variety of wild-inspired, tasty bites. Together, we will make manzanita wildfire crackers, wild spinach pesto, and ricotta cheese. We will also make white fir-citrus chutney and sweet and savory pine nuts, all of which will pair nicely with our manzanita mint tea.  

Date: Sunday, July 20

Tuesday, June 17 -  If you're interested in becoming an education volunteer, please join us for an orientation at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. You'll learn about the different programs we offer school groups as well as the fun activities we do with youth. 

Date: Tuesday, June 17

Time:  9:00 am - 3:00 pm 

May 28: Join the Volcan Mountain Foundation for its quarterly bird count on Volcan Mountain in Julian. This is a great opportunity to hone your bird ID skills with experts, learn about our local mountain bird species, and contribute valuable data to VMF and the Cornell Lab of Orinthology. We'll be focusing our attention on the areas near our Watershed and Sky Island trails as well as VMF's recently acquired pond. There is a combined two miles of walking during this survey. Hiking is easy to moderate. 

Date: Wednesday, May 28

Sunday, June 22: Join Janice Smith, VMF’s Education Coordinator and Certified Forest Therapy Guide, on a guided Forest Bathing walk at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. This is a new program of bi-monthly Forest Bathing walks offered through VMF.

What is Forest Bathing?  

Sunday, June 8 - If you’ve ever wondered what that bright yellow bird is, who's singing that beautiful song, or what made those rows of little holes in a tree, then join us for an introductory presentation about birds and bird identification.  We’ll cover a variety of ways to observe birds, including physical characteristics, behaviors and their habitats.  We’ll also share some of the best birding apps to help you identify birds wherever you go.  After a one-hour presentation, you’ll get to try out your new skills by birding at some of Volcan Mountain Foundation’s most beau

Saturday, June 21-  VMF needs your help! Join botanist and conservationist Larry Hendrickson and VMF's Suzie Meyer for a morning removing non-native and highly invasive bull thistle at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. By removing this plant species, you will have the satisfaction knowing that you are restoring the forest to its healthy, natural ecosystem! 

Date:  Saturday, June 21

Time:  9:00 am - 12:00 pm