San Diego County, California
Join biologist and educator Sharyl Massey as you learn about the unique and diverse characterisitcs of raptors. We'll start with a presentation followed by a chance to meet a live raptor from Sky Hunters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education. Afterward, we'll travel to VMF's Sky Island trailhead for lunch followed by a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike where we hope to see raptors riding the thermals.
Date: Saturday, March 21
Thursday, March 12 - Volunteers Needed! If you're interested in becoming an outdoor education volunteer and inspiring children to love nature, please join us for a fun orientation at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. During this introduction you will learn about the fun hands-on activities we do with youth as well as the teaching techniques used in the field. You will also receive a series of one-on-one trainings with VMF's Educator, Janice Smith and get the opportunity to observe her while she teaches during the spring.
Join San Diego Mycological Society's Vice President, Mark Jenne, as you learn about the life of mushrooms. You'll get a better understanding of their life cycle and their importance to the ecosystem. We'll start with a presentation at VMF's Education Center followed by a foray in the woods and identification of each one collected.
Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Due to the gated entry for VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center, please plan to arrive by 9:45 am.
Saturday, April 18 - Join Eric Jones for a stewardship day on Volcan Mountain. We'll be clearing the 1.7-mile Cedar Loop Trail that begins at Volcan's ridgeline. We'll trim trail side branches and remove downed trees using power equipment, including chainsaws.
If trail clearing is not for you, not to worry. You'll have an opportunity to remove invasive mustard and Medusahead grass instead. Removing these two species is critical in creating healthy ecosystems and preventing them from spreading.
Sunday, March 22 - VMF needs your help! Join botanists and conservationists Larry Hendrickson and Sharyl Massey as well as 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: Sunday, March 22
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
January 23: Join VMF on for a stewardship day on Volcan Mountain. As a wildfire prevention measure, we will be creating piles of wood collected from the forest and burning them throughout the day. No experience necessary.
Date: Friday, January 23
Time: 7:45 am - 4:00 pm (Volunteers are free to leave at anytime).
Bring: Work gloves (VMF has its own supply as well), water, snacks, lunch. Camp chair optional.
Wear: Sturdy shoes and dress warmly and in layers.
January 22: Join VMF on for a stewardship day on Volcan Mountain. As a wildfire prevention measure, we will be creating piles of wood collected from the forest and burning them throughout the day. No experience necessary.
Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 7:45 am - 4:00 pm (Volunteers are free to leave at anytime).
Bring: Work gloves (VMF has its own supply as well), water, snacks, lunch. Camp chair optional.
Wear: Sturdy shoes and dress warmly and in layers.
Sunday, March 29: Step into the magic of spring! In this workshop VMF's outdoor naturalist educator, Janice Smith, will guide you on a short walk to identify and harvest edible wild plants growing around the nature center. Then we will work in teams to make a delicious green feast. These lush plants may include miner’s lettuce, chickweed, cleavers, plantain, stinging nettle, mustard, stork’s bill, conifer needles and more!
Saturday, March 28: Step into the magic of spring! In this workshop VMF's outdoor naturalist educator, Janice Smith, will guide you on a short walk to identify and harvest edible wild plants growing around the nature center. Then we will work in teams to make a delicious green feast. These lush plants may include miner’s lettuce, chickweed, cleavers, plantain, stinging nettle, mustard, stork’s bill, conifer needles and more!
Sunday, February 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?