San Diego County, California
Saturday, October 29: Join Diane and her family at VMF's dedication of the Diane B. Coombs Watershed Trail at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. We will have a light lunch catered by VMF's own volunteer committee followed by a trail dedication ceremony and plenty of time for conversation and exploration of the trail.
Time: 11:00 am
Tuesday, November 1: Thank you to all the artists and merchants who have donated to VMF's Annual Dinner Dance and Auction Fundraiser. As a way to acknowledge your generosity and partnership, you are invited to VMF's Auction Donor Appreciation Day, which includes a light breakfast and tour of VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center, including its newly acquired 42 acres.
Saturday, November 12: As offical stewards of Farmer Road (between Volcan and Wynola Roads), the Volcan Mountain Foundation invites to you participate in its Adopt-A-Road Clean-Up Day. VMF is looking for a few volunteers who aren't afraid to roll-up their sleeves and pick-up trash along this quite and gentle portion of Farmer Road.
Date: Saturday, November 12
Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
What to Bring and Wear: Snacks and/or lunch and water. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Saturday November 5: Join the Volcan Mountain Foundation for a citizen science bird survey 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: Saturday, November 5
October 23: 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 the first walk of a new series of bi-monthly Forest Bathing walks offered through VMF.
What is Forest Bathing?
October 22: Join biologist and research scientist Dr. Lori Hargrove for a presentation on how wildfires and climate change have effected bird distribution and populations in Southern California. Using the Grinnell Resurvey, Lori will provide an overview and specific examples of the shifting patterns birds have adapted to survive. After the presentation we'll go on a bird walk at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center.
Saturday, September 17: The Volcan Mountain Foundation is partnering with I Love a Clean San Diego to clean up VMF's newly acquired Copper Spur Ranch. The focus will be to remove large and small trash items in a forested area near the headwaters of the San Dieguito River. Larger trash includes tires and metal fences.
The Volcan Mountain Foundation greatly appreciates the time and energy volunteers take to restore the beautiful ecosystems of the Volcan Mountains in Julian, CA.
September 24: There are many ways manzanita berries can be used for food. In this workshop we will use the ripe red berries to make two different kind of manzanita crackers. We will also make a delicious herb ricotta cheese from scratch as well as manzanita bark tea.
August 13: Join bat biologist Don Endicott as he discusses the lives of bats. Guest presenter Don Endicott will teach you about the life cycle, habitats, and unique features of bats as well as the methods he uses to conduct his research. After the presentation we'll go on a short walk to view bats during sunset.
Don Endicott is also a volunteer naturalist for the San Diego Natural History Museum, California State Parks, Mission Trails Regional Park, Cabrillo National Monument, Project Wildlife, and other local and regional organizations.
July 24, 2022 Join Janice Smith, VMF's Education Coordinator, in this fun (and messy) hands-on workshop. You will learn how local red clay is processed, explore how the Kumeyaay made beautiful pottery, and practice creating your own decorative item. We will also discuss the geology of how the red dirt was created.