Volcan Mountain Foundation

Saturday, May 25: Join VMF's Outdoor Naturalist Janice Smith as we start our spa day by relaxing quietly at our individual sit spot. Afterward, we will walk around the nature center to identify and forage some of the plants that we will include in three unique DIY nature inspired beauty products that you can use at home. We will make pine needle lemon tea to sip while we make wild mountain soap, horsetail raw sugar scrub, and wild herbal bath salts. 

Sunday, May 5: The Volcan Mountain Foundation invites you to help remove trash alongside a mile stretch of road on S2 (San Felipe Road) located on the east side of Volcan Mountain. As stewards of the 684-acre Peckham Keenan Wildlife Sanctuary located on S2, you will also get the very rare opportunity to tour this sanctuary, which is not open to the public.

Date:  Sunday, May 5

Time:  10:00 am - 1:00 pm

What to Bring and Wear:  Snacks and/or lunch and water. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Saturday, May 18 - Join geology expert 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 two-mile hike along Cedar Loop Trail, which begins and ends at Ferguson Flat - a County-owned portion of Volcan's ridgeline not typically open to the public.   

Date: Saturday, May 18

Time:  10:00 am - 3:00 pm 

Sunday, June 9: 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, April 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, April 20

Eighty lots of incredible art, food, experiences and more… donated by Julian businesses and individuals plus businesses from across Southern California!

Sunday, April 21: 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, March 23: Join VMF's outdoor naturalist educator, Janice Smith, as we identify, collect, and cook wild edible plants at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center.  

In this workshop we will take a short walk to identify and harvest some of the easy to find edible wild plants growing around the nature center. Then, we will roll up our sleeves and work in teams creating delicious recipes from nature and enjoy a freshly foraged meal.

Sunday, February 25: 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 28, 2024 – 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 fresh baked Douglas fir lemon bars that we will also make together. Finally, you will create your very own conifer tea bag blend to take home.