Volcan Mountain Foundation

Join VMF on December 26 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: Tuesday, December 26

Time:  8:30 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.

Monday, December 18: Join the Volcan Mountain Foundation for a citizen science bird survey on Volcan Mountain in Julian. This is a great opportunity to contribute valuable data for the National Annual Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count. We'll be focusing our attention on the areas near our Sky Island trail 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: Monday, December 18

Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

November 12: Join the Volcan Mountain Foundation for its quarterly bird count 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: Sunday, November 12

Tuesday, October 10 -  If you're interested in becoming an education volunteer, please join Janice Smith, VMF's Outdoor Educator, for an orientation at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. You'll learn about the different programs we offer school groups as well as the fun activities we do with youth. 

Date: Tuesday, October 10

Time:  9:00 am - 3:00 pm 

Saturday, October 14: Join wildlife biologist John Lovio for an evening learning about the lives of owls. John will share his knowledge about owls living in Southern California, including their habitat, mating rituals, diet, and more. Afterward we'll go on a night walk to listen to owl calls. 

Date: Saturday, October 14  

Time: 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm. Due to the gated entry for VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center, please plan to arrive by 6:15 pm.

November 19, 2023 Wildcrafting: Acorn Holiday Cookies

Join VMF's Education Coordinator, Janice Smith, for a fun workshop making acorn cookies!  Note: Due to its popularity, this workshop is also held on Saturday, November 18.

November 18, 2023 Wildcrafting: Acorn Holiday Cookies

Join VMF's Education Coordinator, Janice Smith, for a fun workshop making acorn cookies!  Note: Due to its popularity, this workshop repeats on Sunday, November 19.

Sunday, December 3: We're very excited to have you join us at a special Rubenson Endowment Artists' Reception featuring the art work inspired by Volcan Mountain and created by 2023 award recipients, Ethan Staats and Sue Britt!

Date: Sunday, December 3

Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Ilan-Lael Foundation in Julian. Parking and event location directions will be sent after registration.

Price: $45 per person.

Saturday, September 23: Have you ever wondered what your favorite hiking trails and other outdoor spaces look like at night and which secretive nocturnal animals are moving around in those areas? Join Ethan Staats, Marine Biology graduate student at UC San Diego and frequent night-hiker around Southern California, for a 1 1/2-mile, moderate night hike on VMF's Sky Island Trail. Ethan is VMF's 2023 recipient of the Marjorie and Joeseph Rubenson Endowment for art and Science at Volcan Mountain award.

Saturday, September 23  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 trash and debris in a forested area near the headwaters of the San Dieguito River. Specifically, volunteers will remove small debris left from the demolition of an old cabin.

The Volcan Mountain Foundation greatly appreciates the time and energy volunteers take to restore the beautiful ecosystems of the Volcan Mountains in Julian, CA.