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ANNOUNCEMENTS
A JOURNEY DOWN
THE SAN DIEGUITO RIVER:
EXPLORING OUR SENSE OF PLACE
A Seminar Series in the Field
sponsored by
the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
“You can’t know who you are until you
know where you are.”
- Wendell Berry |
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| WHAT: |
Eight session seminar series |
| WHO: |
Those who want to strengthen their connection to nature, are able to hike at a leisurely pace for four miles, and are willing to make a commitment to attend at least 6 of the 8 sessions |
| WHY: |
Would you like to…
Experience the San Dieguito River Valley in all seasons?
Follow its path from mountain to sea?
Encounter its plant, animal and human inhabitants?
Hear stories of the valley’s origins and first peoples?
Connect to the River Valley with your heart as well as your mind |
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This seminar series offers you the opportunity to explore your own personal sense of place in the San Dieguito River Valley through readings, lectures, and immersion in nature. In one evening orientation and seven monthly Saturday field experiences, you will walk representative parts of the Valley from crest-to-coast, learn about flora, fauna, geology, and history from local experts, and spend peaceful, creative time alone and with others listening to Nature, sensing the beauty and power of this place we call home. The seminar is designed to be a personal journey to what Joseph Cornell calls “The Heart of Nature.” Like all journeys, this one requires a personal commitment to go the distance: seven leisurely First Saturdays from October through May with a December holiday.
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| WHEN: |
Evening Orientation Tuesday, September 30 7 - 9 pm |
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First Saturday hikes 9 am - 3 pm
October 4 -- Volcan Mountain -- River Park review
November 1 -- Santa Ysabel OSP West -- Mammals / Tracking
January 3 -- Santa Ysabel OSP East -- Native Americans
February 7 -- Lake Hodges -- Birds
March 7 -- Lake Sutherland -- Geology
April 4 -- Piedras Pintadas -- Botany
May 2 -- Beach/Lagoon -- Course Review / Graduation |
| TUITION: |
$200, which includes the two texts and course materials |
| ENROLLMENT: |
is limited to 25 participants, and the course will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis from paid participants. The DEADLINE for registration is August 1st, 2008.
If you are interested in registering for this program, please contact Charty Bassett at chartyb@cox.net. Click here for more information including the Registration Form.
More information about the ESP program can also be found in the June 2008 Currents newsletter. Click here to view the newsletter.
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The Fire Recovery Action Program
Since the Witch Creek fires in October 2007, where the burn area covered over 60% of the River Park’s 80,000-acre Planning Area, both the River Park and the Conservancy have been blessed with an outpouring of support from the San Diego community. Many have donated to the Fire Recovery Fund; while others have volunteered their time patrolling the trails. – It has truly been a group effort, and means so very much to both the recovery efforts and the River Park and Conservancy staff.
Although the scale of the damage has been a shock, we are hopeful about nature’s ability to heal - as well as the efforts we can take to aid in the recovery process. To do this, we have established a detailed Fire Recovery Action Program. We are working with biologists and other technical experts to determine the best use of resources during the recovery phase, including mapping intact habitat areas, identifying priority areas for revegetation and aggressive control of invasive species. Click here or see the Fire Recovery Action Program for more information and to learn ways you can help.
Conservancy receives Grant for Invasive Plant Control
The Conservancy has received a $74,710 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants program for treatment of perennial pepperweed in the San Dieguito River Park. Perennial pepperweed is a persistent, invasive non-native plant that has spread to over 300 acres in the central and western portions of the River Park and tends to form dense monotypic stands that outcompete native vegetation and provide no value to wildlife. This grant will allow the continued treatment of pepperweed toward the Park's long-term goal of eradication in 5-7 years.
Donors on Board – the “Donate a Plank” Campaign
Launched in mid-2007, the “Donate a Plank” campaign has raised over $30,000 for extending the Boardwalk and the Lagoon Trail segment of the 55-mile Coast-to-Crest Trail. To date, over 300 people have purchased custom engraved plaques, which can be viewed on the Boardwalk planks, while others have simply made donations directly for the trail extension efforts. For more information, please see the San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk and Trail project.
Want to “Donate a Plank”? Please click HERE to download the form. Once you have completed the form, please mail or fax to us.
The Trail Acceleration Fund: Off to a Good Start – But has Mountains to Climb
The Conservancy has received nearly $200,000 in donations to the Trail Acceleration Fund (LINK to the Trail Acceleration Fund, under Directed Giving section) for the engineering and assessment of new segments of trail in the River Valley. However, more funds are needed for trail construction and to develop a set of trail maps. Two trails currently in need of additional funding sources are the San Dieguito Lagoon Trail and trails in the Santa Ysabel Gorge area.
Click HERE for more information about the Trail Acceleration Fund. To learn about the trails in the San Dieguito River Park, click HERE.
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Guided Hike
Date: Sunday, September 28
Time: 5:00pm - 7:15pm
Location: Crest Canyon & Torrey Pines Extension ...more.
Habitat Restoration
Date: Saturday, September 20
Time: 9:00am - noon
Location: San Dieguito Lagoon...more.
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DONORS ON BOARD
The “Donate a Plank” campaign...more.
TRAIL ACCELERATION FUND
Off to a Good Start
But has Mountains to Climb...more. |
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Located on the western end of the River Park, Crest Canyon was threatened with residential development when citizens convinced the Cities of San Diego and Del Mar to purchase the land and protect it as open space...more.
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