San Diego County, California
In December of 2011, the 37 acre Santa Ysabel Creek headwaters property at the end of Farmer Road was acquired for conservation by the Volcan Mountain Foundation. Rich in riparian habitat with incredible coniferous forest, oak woodlands and meadows, this uniquely situated property is also contiguous to VMF’s Sky Island Trail property on the north, and the
On December 5th we were graced by a visit from a group of 16 year old students from various countries who have been staying with host families in the U.S.
They joined us as part of a larger group called GreenHeart, based in Chicago. Allison and Stephanie led the group to us via Camp Stevens.
Kindergarten children from Julian Elementary School recently visited Santa Ysabel Nature Preserve with VMF teachers Sheana Fry and Kathleen Beck who led the youngsters on a Place In Nature hike. We gazed upon local wildflowers, felt the cool waters of the stream, observed the local wildlife and learned about scat. The day ended with an activity called Sound Mapping.
In early August several middle school students attended a class in Conservation of the Oak Woodland through Art. We hiked into the nearby Preserves to find Oaks as models to draw in graphite and charcoal. There, we learned about what is happening with the bark beetle infestation and how planting new trees is one way to help with the problem of the disappearing oaks.
Walking to work has helped me in so many ways to create the projects I do.
Last winter I began walking to work in Julian from my home in Wynola. So many things I noticed along the way!