Volcan Mountain Foundation

Saturday, February 15 -  Join the Volcan Mountain Foundation for a mushroom foray! Mycologists Les Braund and Bonni Thorsen will discuss the protocols for collecting them. Afterward, we'll collect mushrooms for an hour at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center and then examine what we found together. The mushrooms that we collect will be brought to the San Diego Mycological Society's Annual Fair held on Sunday, February 16 at Balboa Park. All are welcome to attend the fair. 

Sunday, February 23 -  FULL -- WE'VE RECEIVED THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS EVENT. Senior Meteorologist for SDG&E and former VMF Board Member, Steve Vanderburg, will give a presentation on San Diego County's weather. You'll learn about the many different weather systems that affect our region ― from El Niño to the Santa Ana winds. You'll also learn how weather patterns combined with topography cause different regional climates. The presentation will take place at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. 

Cancelled: Saturday, May 30 - Join a San Diego County Park ranger for a fun and creative activity making your own hiking stick! Supplies and tools will be available. Afterward, stop by the educational displays or go for a walk with your new hiking stick along the scenic trail at county's new Santa Ysabel Nature Center.    

Date: Saturday, May 30

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Wear: Clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 - Join a San Diego County Park ranger for a fun and creative activity using nature as your canvas! Supplies and tools will be available. Afterward, stop by the educational displays or go for a walk along the scenic trail at county's new Santa Ysabel Nature Center.   

Date: Sunday, March 29

Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Wear: Clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 - Join San Diego County Park rangers for a discussion on one of the top preditors in the sky ― hawks!  Learn how they hunt and survive in San Diego and other wilderness areas. You'll even get a chance to see them up close! Afterward, stop by the educational displays or go for a walk along the scenic trail at county's new Santa Ysabel Nature Center.   

Date: Sunday, March 29

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Cancelled: Sunday, May 24 - Spring is finally here and the feeling of renewal is in the air!  To celebrate we thought it would be fun to pamper ourselves with a DIY wild and natural spa experience!   

Regrettably, due to the widespread health concern of the coronavirus, Wildcrafting: Forest Feast has been cancelled. We will issue a refund to each participant. The Volcan Mountain Foundation strongly believes in public health and safety and, therefore, made this decision as a precautionary measure. We will be hosting this event in the future and will let you know the date as soon as we know it.

Waiting List just added for the Saturday, January 11 Mushroom Foray.

We've received the maximum number of registrations, so please continue to the waiting list and submit your name and contact information.

Monday, December 16 join VMF staff for Audubon's 120th Christmas Bird Count. Results will be part of the Lake Henshaw Circle. 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 the Volcan Mountain Foundation and National Audubon Society. We'll be focusing our attention on the areas near VMF's Watershed and Sky Island trails and hope to hear owls in the earlier part of the morning. There is a combined two miles of walking during this survey. Hiking is easy to moderate. 

On Saturday, December 14, from 9am-11pm, come join the Volcan Mountain Foundation, I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD), the County of San Diego, the Julian Chamber of Commerce, Ramona Disposal Service, and Nickel Beer Company for litter cleanup in Julian!

We'll meet at Nickel Beer Company (1485 Hollow Glen Road, Julian, CA 92036) and make a loop through downtown Julian to divert waste from the San Diego and Anza-Borrego watersheds.