Calendar of Events
The Nature of This Place | Course
Registration | Course
Proposals
Past Events
Winter/Spring 2010
Our Ecological Puzzle-
Three programs on Putting the Pieces Together
SPECIES
Part 1: Influential Plants and Animals of the San Juan Ridge
Friday, February 12, 2010 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
A panel presentation exploring the specific plant and animal species that contribute to the ecological foundation of the area. Four experts discuss the natural history and conservation challenges and implications for these ecologically significant species. Some of the species to be discussed, include: sugar pine, mountain lion, dusky-footed woodrat, foothill yellow-legged frog, goshawk, California spotted owl, pileated woodpecker, and more.
Panelists: Kathy Van Zuuk, Karen Wiese, Ted Beedy, Tom Van Wagner, Peter Stine
Members $7.00
General Admission $10.00
HABITAT
Part 2: Threats to Biodiversity: Conservation in Critical Habitats
Friday, March 12, 2010 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Two forest management specialists discuss the critical role riparian, hardwood and mature forest habitat types play in maintaining biodiversity while addressing the conservation issues and current threats they face.
Presenters: Joann Fites-Kaufman and Doug McCreary
Members $7.00
General Admission $10.00
THE GREATER LANDSCAPE
Part 3: Landscape-scale Conservation: Creating and Linking Islands of Refugia
Thursday, April 29, 2010 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
How can you help to put the pieces together? This program engages private landowners in a discussion about how, within the public/private land matrix, we as individuals can restore and maintain healthy islands of biodiversity that can create refugia for species across the greater landscape. Private land can play an essential role in connecting these islands. Land management practices, long-term conservation strategies and their applications will be explored.
Members $7.00
General Admission $10.00
Understanding Bird Song
A presentation with naturalist and author David Lukas
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
The APPLE Center for Sustainable Living, 412 Commercial Street, downtown Nevada City
Spring is here and birds will soon be singing everywhere. For most of us, learning how to identify birds by their songs is an overwhelming task, so this evening program focuses instead on understanding how birds sing, why they make different types of vocalizations, and how birds use vocalizations to organize their social communities. Come open your ears and learn how to understand what the birds are saying.
$7 General
$5 YWI and APPLE Members
Bridgeport Bird Walk with David Lukas
Sunday, April 18, 2010, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
South Yuba State Park, Bridgeport
Meet at the Buttermilk Bend Trailhead parking lot
Following the evening bird song presentation, or for anyone who wants to go on a delightful spring bird walk along the South Yuba River, join us in search of singing birds that we can admire, identify and discuss.
$10 General
$7 YWI Members
Foraging Skills for Edible and Medicinal Plants
A field seminar with Matt and Rachel Berry and Daniel Nicholson
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Dancing Pines Farm on the San Juan Ridge
Come discover the richness of the Sierra Foothills’ native and wild springtime flora. Join us as we explore native bulbs, herbs, and spring greens. Discussions will include: making cordage, fermentations, plant identification tips, strategies for improving wild food production, sustainable harvest techniques, and a medicine-making demonstration. Acorn processing as well as the uses of native trees is another focus of the day. Our goal is to send people home with a deeper understanding and appreciation of our local plants, their nutritional value, availability, usefulness, and importance. Potluck lunch encouraging wild, local, and seasonal ingredients.
$25 General Admission
$20 YWI Members
Space is limited. Pre-registration Required.
Water Bugs: A Magical Underwater World
Saturday, May 8, 2010, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
On Deer Creek just one mile from downtown Nevada City
Join Lisa Cutter of the California School of Flyfishing for this fun creekside adventure for kids! Through observation and interactive activities, children will learn how to identify aquatic insects in various life stages while discussing food chains, fish and watershed health. Bring a picnic lunch. Wear river shoes or rain boots and don’t forget a change of clothes. Suitable for children 3-8 years of age. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Per-child:
$20 General
$15 YWI, SYRCL, FoDC Members
Space is limited. Pre-registration Required.
Fire, Mining and Logging: The Long Ravine of the ‘Inimim Forest
A half-day trek in partnership with the Nevada County Land Trust
Saturday, May 15, 2010. 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Studying a forest through the clues of tree rings, size and ages of trees, composition of species and other details can tell the ecological history of that place. Yale-trained forest ecologist, Don Harkin, has been coring trees and making careful measurements of forest stands near North Columbia for 30 years. He will lead you on a walk that follows game trails and old skid roads for about 2 miles. This ravine is home to spotted owls, pileated woodpeckers and many mammals. Bring your own lunch, water and suitable attire for a walk in the woods.
Note: The program ends at 1 pm but for those who would like to stay longer, Don will be available for anyone who wants to learn about practice using the forest ecologist's tools of the trade.
$15.00 General
$12.00 YWI and NCLT Members
SOLD OUT!
Spring Fungus Field Seminar
With local fungus expert Daniel Nicholson
Saturday, May 22, 2010, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Meet at the Senior Center in North San Juan
Join local mycologist Daniel Nicholson and friends as we carpool with a small group to investigate the Sierra’s spring fungi. We will visit somewhat pre-determined fungal hot spots through the mid-elevations to snowline. Identification, foraging skills, edible fungi (morels and spring kings mostly), and snowmelt fungi will be the focus of discussions. As with most fungi events, it runs rain or shine.
Bring a sack lunch and be prepared for walking extensively through the woods.
$25 General Admission
$20 YWI Members
Space is limited. Pre-registration Required.
For more information for this event only contact Daniel Nicholson at danmadrone@gmail.com