Volcan Mountain Foundation

Saturday, June 1st - Join Mike Thacker as you learn about the geologic forces that shaped San Diego County as well as the specific geologic features of the Volcan Mountains. We will begin the day with a presentation at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center followed by a moderate 1.5-mile hike on VMF's Sky Island Trail. We will also get the rare opportunity to go onto Volcan's ridgeline for a discussion and lunch.  

Date: Saturday, June 1st

Time:  9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Thursday, June 6th join Volcan Mountain Foundation for a citizen science bird survey on Volcan Mountain near 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 the Volcan Mountain Foundation. We'll be focusing our attention on the areas near our Watershed and Sky Island trails. There is a combined two miles of walking during this survey. Hiking is easy to moderate. 

Thursday, May 9th - Join Lyda Harris as she collects samples of water from the Santa Ysabel Creek at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. As a 2019 award recipient of VMF's Marjorie and Joseph Rubenson Endowment for Art and Science at Volcan Mountain, Lyda is conducting a study on microplastics found in water, and her starting point is on Volcan Mountain ― the headwaters of the San Dieguito, San Diego, and San Luis Rey Rivers. Lyda will also take samples from some of these waterways as she makes her way to the Pacific Ocean.

On Saturday, May 18 the Volcan Mountain Foundation will be having its first Family Discovery Day! 

Come by VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center with your friends and family to learn about the unique ecosystems and wildlife on Volcan Mountain. There will be fun, educational nature activities throughout the day, including creating a rainstorm effect on a 3D watershed relief map, making a shelter from willow branches, and going on a scavenger hunt. You can also go on a gentle guided plant walk on VMF's Watershed Trail. See below for a list of scheduled activities.

Sunday, May 5th - Join Eric Jones as you learn the basics of animal tracking, sign identification, and tracking in the field. You will also practice how to read the landscape to understand animal movement. This is a moderate four-mile hike at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. 

Date: Sunday, May 5th

Time:  9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Saturday, April 27th, join the  Volcan Mountain Foundation and our partners with the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy for a Watershed Explorers exploration of VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center from 10am-4pm.

Come see where it all starts, the headwaters of the San Dieguito Watershed at Volcan Mountain Nature Center!

On Saturday, April 13th, from 10am-12pm, 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 and make a loop through downtown Julian to divert waste from the San Diego and Anza-Borrego watersheds. Return to Nickel Beer Company after the cleanup and celebrate with a free pizza party, courtesy of the Julian Chamber of Commerce!

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, April 13 at Camp Stevens. The Celebration of Life service and supper are free. Camp Stevens staff needs interested attendees to pre-register (even if you're not planning on staying overnight) so that they can get a head count for supper.

Sunday, April 14th - Join naturalist Valérie Cournoyer as she discusses the diverse plants on Volcan Mountain. Together, we'll explore VMF's trails and examine the unique plant adaptations and habitats on the mountain. From wild fires and hot dry summers, to snowy winters, plants have evolved fascinating strategies to thrive in these environments. Not only have they adapted to these conditions, they are tightly intertwined with the fauna around them, supporting a diverse array of animals.

Saturday, March 30th - Bill Augustus is looking for a few good volunteers who aren't afraid to to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Of course, there’s always fun to be had too! Come to Volcan Mountain to help remove invasive plants. We'll also do some light plant trimming along our 1.5 mile Sky Island Trail. 

….MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK, SO ANYONE INTERESTED IS WELCOME!

Date:  Saturday, March 30th

Time:  10:00 am - 1:30 pm