Volcan Mountain Foundation

Monday, December 22: Join the Volcan Mountain Foundation for a citizen science bird survey on Volcan Mountain in Julian. This is a great opportunity to contribute valuable data for the National Annual Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count. We'll be focusing our attention on VMF's pond and Volcan Road near our Sky Island trail. 

Date: Monday, December 22

Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Bring: Snacks, drinking water, comfortable shoes, a warm coat....and, of course, your binoculars.

Sunday, December 28: 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?  

January 24, 2026 – Winter Conifer Tea Party! 

There is nothing more cozy than enjoying a hot cup of tea on a cold winter day.  In this class, VMF's Education Coordinator, Janice Smith, will teach you to identify, forage, and make an assortment of wild conifer teas. We will pair these teas with delicious Douglas fir lemon bars, which we will also make together. Finally, you will create your very own conifer tea bag blend to take home.

We're excited to have you join us at a special Rubenson Endowment Artists' Reception featuring the art work inspired by Volcan Mountain and created by 2025 residency recipients, Nicole Dornsife and Sonja Kodimer!

Date: Sunday, December 7

Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Ilan-Lael Foundation in Julian. Parking and event location directions will be sent after registration.

Price: $45 per person.

November 23, 2025 Wildcrafting: Acorn Pancakes and Waffles

Join VMF's Education Coordinator, Janice Smith, for a fun workshop making acorn pancakes and waffles!  Note: Due to its popularity, this workshop occurs on Saturday, November 22

November 22, 2025 Wildcrafting: Acorn Pancakes and Waffles

Join VMF's Education Coordinator, Janice Smith, for a fun workshop making acorn pancakes and waffles!  Note: Due to its popularity, this workshop repeats on Sunday, November 23

Saturday, November 15 - Join Track and Sign Professional Terry Hunefeld as you learn the basics of animal tracking, sign identification, and tracking in the field. You will also learn how to read the landscape to understand animal movement. We'll start with a presentation followed by a short walk along VMF's Watershed Trail. 

Date: Saturday, November 15

Time:  9:30 am - 11:30 am (ARRIVE BY 9:15 am)

Cost: $15 per person

October 27: 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: Friday, October 27

Sunday, October 26: 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 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!