Feb. 18, Tues.,
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Hike: Rattlesnake Canyon (Strenuous)
*See
Hike Ratings*
Leaders: Terri
Straub and Carmelita Logerwell
This is an 8-mile hike,
1375’ gain, strenuous. Walk up a beautiful canyon to where it ends
at an interesting 25-foot dry waterfall. Have fun figuring out the
best way up the canyon, as it is quite wide, and there are many
different routes you could take, with many rocks to step up and
around. But none of them are too difficult. No dirt driving, park
right off road. Max 15 people. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring
lunch, snacks, water.
Feb. 18,
Tues., 9 a.m. – Noon
Nature Journaling (Easy)
Leaders: Pat Matthews
and Pam Blake and Selden McKee
This activity repeats on the first
and third Tuesdays of the month to explore nature journaling in the
ABDNHA garden and other nearby areas. No experience is
necessary—just a curiosity about the natural world. Participants
will need a small, unlined journal, pencil, eraser, micron pen,
colored pencils or compact watercolor set, and a chair. We will be
outdoors, so a sun hat, water, and snack are recommended. Meet in
parking lot of ABDNHA No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.
Feb. 19, Wed., 8 a.m. - Noon
Photography Workshop: Nature in the
Abstract, Discovering Patterns in South Palm Wash
Leader: Tom
Hogan, ABDNHA Volunteer and photographer
Join Tom as he leads you on a search for
interesting natural patterns on a creative exploration of the narrow
and rocky canyon at South Palm Wash. High Clearance vehicles are
needed for a short (.6 mile) drive to the canyon entrance from the
paved road. Open to all levels of experience and equipment,
including smartphones. Meet at ABDNHA where we will carpool as
available. No charge but registration is required. Call
760-767-3098 or visit the ABDNHA Nature Center at 652 Palm Canyon
Drive
Feb. 21, Fri., 10:00 a.m. start time (Every Friday)
See Important
Bike Ride Infomation
ABDNHA
Friendly Friday
Bike Ride Volunteer Leader: Paul Petersen
Relaxed
social ride of 20-30 mostly flat miles at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes
will vary weekly, fun rides to highlight the roads less travelled.
Return time will vary with route chosen. No charge, and no
registration required. Note the meeting location this season: Meet
in the parking lot opposite the county library south entrance.
Feb.
21, Fri., 9 a.m. - Noon
Hike and Write (Easy)
*See
Hike Ratings*
Leader: Amy Brewster
Join naturalist/writer Amy Brewster on a short hike in Glorietta
Canyon, where we will rest and put pen to paper to express whatever
arises or just listen to what others have written. Hike is
approximately a mile on uneven terrain. Bring hiking poles if so
desired, water and a hat. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot to carpool.
No charge. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Feb. 21, Fri., 3 p.m. – 5
p.m.
Hawkwatch Volunteer Training & Orientation
Instructor: Hal Cohen,
Hawkwatch Founder & Coordinator
The Borrego Valley Hawkwatch official begins on
Saturday February 22. If you would like to particiapte in the
hawkwatch this year as a new volunteer then attend this training
session. The training begins in the ABDNHA library and the group
then goes out to the morning and evening watch sites.
Feb 22, Sat., 9AM – 2PM
4WD Tour: Cut Across
Trail to Borrego Mountain
Leader: Jim Torian ABDNHA Volunteer
This
off-road adventure will take us through the scenic, soft sandy
washes of Anza-Borrego’s northeast region. We’ll meet and brief at
9AM in the ABDNHA parking lot, then drive the S22 for 17 miles to
the Arroyo Salado Campground turn-off. From there, we’ll air down
and head south to the serene Seventeen Palms Oasis, stopping at the
historic post office. Next, we’ll tackle the Cut Across Trail to
Borrego Mountain, then wind our way up Buttes Canyon, known for its
stunning smoke trees. We’ll stop for lunch at Hawk Canyon before
descending and continuing south on Buttes Pass Road to Highway 78
where our adventure ends. This 18-mile, 4-hour journey requires a
4WD vehicle with high clearance and a full tank of gas. GMRS radio
is optional. Lunch is BYO. 22 participants max. No charge. Register
at the Nature Center or call 760-767-3098.
Feb. 21, Fri.,
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Astronomy Lecture: Dark Stars, The Hidden
Universe of Brown Dwarfs
Speaker: Adam Burgasser, Ph.D., UCSD
Stars
illuminate the cosmos, converting fusion energy into light. However,
a vast population of non-fusing dark stars is also known
to exist, and their unique properties are providing new insights
into extreme states of matter, planetary atmospheres, the history of
the Milky Way, and the fate of the Universe. Join UC San Diego
Professor Adam Burgasser as he discusses what brown dwarfs are, how
we find and study them, and what we are learning from them. Dr.
Burgasser will include some of the most recent results on brown
dwarfs coming out of the James Webb Space Telescope, and what
astronomers are looking forward to with future deep surveys. Dr.
Burgasser is the Director of the Cool Star Lab, leading a team that
studies the atmospheres of the coldest stars, brown dwarfs. He is
the current Vice President of the American Astronomical Society and
a Physics Professor at UCSD. In the ABDNHA library. The General
Public is $12, Members are $10, and Volunteers are $8. You can
register online or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Feb 22, Sat., 9AM – 2PM
4WD Tour: Cut Across Trail to Borrego
Mountain
Leader: Jim Torian ABDNHA Volunteer
This off-road adventure will take
us through the scenic, soft sandy washes of Anza-Borrego’s northeast
region. We’ll meet and brief at 9AM in the ABDNHA parking lot, then
drive the S22 for 17 miles to the Arroyo Salado Campground turn-off.
From there, we’ll air down and head south to the serene Seventeen
Palms Oasis, stopping at the historic post office. Next, we’ll
tackle the Cut Across Trail to Borrego Mountain, then wind our way
up Buttes Canyon, known for its stunning smoke trees. We’ll stop for
lunch at Hawk Canyon before descending and continuing south on
Buttes Pass Road to Highway 78 where our adventure ends. This
18-mile, 4-hour journey requires a 4WD vehicle with high clearance
and a full tank of gas. GMRS radio is optional. Lunch is
BYO. 22 participants max. No charge. Register at the Nature Center
or call 760-767-3098.
Feb. 22,
Sat., 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
It’s All About the Miraculous Bees! The
Making of Honey in Borrego Springs
Presented by Beekeepers Tanner
and Candace Obermeyer
Join us and local beekeepers Tanner and
Candace Obermeyer, owners of Desert Bee Company, and have a taste of
their desert wildflower honey as they explain what it takes to
manage the hives, inspect the frames, and maintain the overall
health of their bees. It requires wealth of knowledge about bee
behavior, biology, and honey production. In the ABDNHA library.
This program is free but registration is required. Register at the
ABDNHA Nature Center, or 760-767-3098.
Feb. 22, Sat. 1:00 p.m to 1:30 p.m. (New)
A Short
Walk in ABDNHA's Desert Garden
Leader: Amateur Botanist Kathy
Bussey
Join Kathy Bussey for a short stroll around ABDNHA’s
garden, a peaceful and beautiful spot full of desert plants from
throughout the southwest—deserts, trees, cacti, shrubs, and annual
flowers, with many colorful signs and artwork. The garden begins to
bloom in mid-February. Bird activity, artwork and information panels
lend additional color. The garden surface is flat with very easy
walking. Meet in ABDNHA Parking lot. Call or drop by at the Nature
Center to register.
Feb. 22, Sat, 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. (This is a new
program, not listed in the Sand Paper )
ABDNHA Travel Series -
Photography
Favorite Shots and The Stories that Go with Them
Presented by: Mike McElhatton, ABDNHA's Program Director.
Mike McElhatton has been in and out of photography since he was 18
and shot weddings for a studio in Philadelphia. In the four years
before coming to Borrego he was back in it full time, with a
business called Digital Arts Photography, shooting over 200 weddings
in Idaho and Washington, many hundreds of business portraits, senior
pictures, special events, real estate, some very strange
assignments, and whatever else clients would hire him to do. But
travel photography, beautiful places and the people who live there
have always been his favorites. So street photography in
interesting foreign places became the theme for many years. In
tonight’s program, Mike will take us from Syria to Cuba to Albania
to Jordan to Ireland to Greenland, and on from there, to show
people, interesting places, and scenery that have appeared in front
of his lens at one time or another, along with the stories that go
along with the photos. It’s a program of pictures and stories from
all over the world. In the ABDNHA library. The General Public is
$12, ABDNHA members are $10, $8.
Feb. 23, Sun., 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Hike: The Bench (Moderate)
Leader: Kathy Bussey
Surround yourself with the natural
beauty of Santa Rosa Mountains, Clark Dry Lake and the Borrego
badlands on this easy 2.5 mile round trip hike. We will drive up
Inspiration Wash, then hike up an unnamed wash to the man made
memorial bench for a 360 view. It is an easy hike, except for the
final short ascent up a sandy wash to the bench. AWD or 4WD OK. Meet
at ABDNHA to carpool. No charge, call 760-767-3098 or stop by to
reserve.
Sun., February 23, 2025, 10:00
A.M. - 12:30 P.m.
IPhone Photography in the Garden
Leader:
Sandy Zelasko
Join professional photographer instructor
Sandy Zelasko in the ABDNHA garden to learn how to use your iPhone
to create striking images. This immersive program will help you to
see your subject with a skilled photographer’s eye. We will explore
composition, light, color, and shape while watching for patterns and
complimentary backgrounds before we take our photos. Join us for a
list of tips and tricks to help you create beautiful garden images!
This class will be both in the classroom and outside in the Garden.
Please download the FREE Snapseed app on your iPhone or iPad before
class. General Public $45, Members $40, Volunteers $35. Register
online or at the Nature Center.
Feb.
23, Sun., 9:00 a.m. -
12>30 p.m.
Field Trip: Ancient Lake Cahuilla ( Easy to moderate)
Leader: John Peterson,
Hydrologist and Geologist
The trip will include two minor hikes at both sites that are about
200 yards long. This is on uneven terrain and off trail and should
be considered a moderate short walk. Four-wheel vehicles are
required since sand and rough roads will be encountered. This is a
half-day trip to explore the old historical expanse of Lake
Cahuilla. Thousands of years ago, the Colorado River flowed into the
closed desert basin known as Salton Sea. Evidence of this ancient
lake still exists! The trip is designed to show how large and
expansive the lake was. At our first stop we will venture up to the
old seashore which is approximately 250 feet above State Route
#86. From that location, you will be able to scan out and imagine
the scope of this ancient sea that covered the region. At our second
stop, we will examine the features that still remain, showing the
Desert Cahuilla Indian tribes' method of catching their next
meal. The stop has an excellent array of rock features that the
tribe used to trap; fish within, called fish traps. These traps are
located on an old seashore with freshwater seashells still present.
The site also presents the expansive extent of the ancestral Lake
Cahuilla. Limit of 15 people. 4WD is required. We will be able to
arrange some carpooling before we start. General Public $20, Members
$18, Volunteers $15. Call to register or visit the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Feb.
24, Mon., 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Hike: Mecca Aster Vista (fairly
strenuous)
*See
Hike Ratings*
Hike Leader: Robin Halford
This hike will be in a wonderful canyon in Mecca
that includes colorful canyon walls, a slot canyon, two short
ladders and a view of the Salton Sea. This is a 4.2 miles out and
back hike. Most of the walking is easy, with a few steep sections,
ladders and uneven ground. Limit 10. Bring snack, hat, and wear
sturdy shoes. Meeting Place: From Borrego, drive east on S-22. Turn
left and drive north on Hwy86. Turn Right (East) on 66th and go over
the bypass bridge. Turn right (East) at the light and drive 4.5
miles (66th Ave turns into Box Canyon Road). Turn left (West) onto
Painted Canyon Road (Dirt). We will caravan from here. AWD with high
clearance OK. No charge, call or stop by to reserve.
Feb. 26, Wed., 2 p.m. Borrego Rock
and Gem (BRAG) Club Meeting
Repeats 4 th Wed. of each month through
April.
Meet at ABDNHA Activity Room
Feb. 26, This hike had been rescheduled to
March 11
Hike: Alcoholic Pass Trail to Rockhouse Canyon (Strenuous)
*See
Hike Ratings*
Leader:
ABDNHA Volunteer Rachel
Rench
Feb.
27, Thu., 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
(note time change)
Pam’s Canine Amble (Easy)
*See
Hike Ratings*
Leader:
Pam Blake
Come amble with Pam and her dog Olaf on a park jeep road,
meeting in the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Please make sure to
bring water for your dog as well as yourself! All canine companions
must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and should be comfortable
with strangers and other dogs. We will stay on roads exclusively, as
per park rules—but there are some great ones! Max 15 people. No
charge; call 760-767-3098 to reserve. This amble will repeat on the
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
Feb. 28, Fri., 10:00 a.m.
start time (Every Friday)
See Important
Bike Ride Infomation
ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
Volunteer
Leader: Paul Petersen
Relaxed social ride of 20-30 mostly flat miles
at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes will vary weekly, fun rides to highlight
the roads less travelled. Return time will vary with route chosen.
No charge, and no registration required. Note the new meeting
location this season: Meet in the parking lot opposite the county
library south entrance.
| The
Desert Lecture Series is a collection of the top lectures
offered by ABDNHA each year. |
 |
ABOUT OBI KAUFMANN
Obi Kaufmann is an award-winning author of many
best-selling books on California's ecology, biodiversity,
and geography. Most famously, his 2017 book The California
Field Atlas, currently in its seventh printing,
recontextualized popular ideas about what he calls
“California’s more-than-human world.”
Following his
initial Field Atlas, his following books, THE STATE OF
WATER; UNDERSTANDING CALIFORNIA’S MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE and
THE CALIFORNIA LANDS TRILOGY: THE FORESTS OF CALIFORNIA, THE
COASTS OF CALIFORNIA and THE DESERTS OF CALIFORNIA present a
comprehensive survey of California’s physiography and its
biogeography.
Most recently, Obi was the 2023
artist-in-residence for the National Park Service at
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and his latest book,
The Deserts of California, won the 2024 Book Award for
California Lifestyle from the California Independent
Booksellers Association. You can catch him every month in
conversation with author and tribal chairman Greg Sarris in
their podcast called Place and Purpose. His latest book,
2024’s THE STATE OF FIRE; WHY CALIFORNIA BURNS, is among his
most popular books to date.
Obi Kaufmann regularly
travels around the state, presenting his work and vision of
ecological defense and reciprocation from the
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildland Center to the Mojave Desert Land
Trust. A lifelong resident of California, when he isn’t
backpacking, Obi Kaufmann makes his home base in Oakland,
where he is working on more Field Atlases to come. |
|
This lecture takes place at
the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. Seating is first come
first serve. Open to the public, ABDNHA members no charge, all
others $10 at the door. Books will be availble for purchase and
signing.
|
Mar.
1, Sat. 12:30 p.m to 1:00 p.m. (New)
A Short Walk in ABDNHA's
Desert Garden
Leader: Amateur Botanist Kathy Bussey
Join Kathy Bussey for a short stroll around ABDNHA’s garden, a
peaceful and beautiful spot full of desert plants from throughout
the southwest—deserts, trees, cacti, shrubs, and annual flowers,
with many colorful signs and artwork. The garden begins to bloom in
mid-February. Bird activity, artwork and information panels lend
additional color. The garden surface is flat with very easy walking.
Meet in ABDNHA Parking lot. Call or drop by at the Nature Center to
register. Walk repeats on Feb 22 and March 1.
Mar. 1, Sat., 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Photography: Around Town Photo Walk
Leader: Sandy Zelasko,
Professional Photographer
Join Sandy
Zelasco as she leads a photography walk in Borrego Springs in search
of exciting subject matter, with guidance from Sandy on interesting
ways to capture what you see. A very informal program; all levels of
photography and equipment welcome, including smartphones. No charge,
but registration is required. Max 15 people. Register online, or at
the ABDNHA Nature Center, or call 760-767-3098.
Mar., 1, Sat. afternoon, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Program:
Astrobiology, The Search for Life
Speaker: Dr. Neil Farber JPL Solar
System Ambassador
After a career as an internal medicine
physician for 40 years, Dr Farber turned his attention to space,
which has been an interest and hobby for many years. He now serves
as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, educating the public about what
we know and what we don’t know about space. As a physician, he has
always been attracted to the question of life in the universe.
People have often pondered whether we are alone in the universe.
More than seeking intelligent life, a fundamental question is
whether life of any form exists on other planets or moons. This talk
will examine how NASA seeks the possibility of life on other
worlds—from planets that orbit other stars to planets and moons in
our own Solar System. The answers may also help us understand how
life came to pass on Earth. In the ABDNHA library. General Public
$12, Members $10, Volunteers $8. Register online or at the Nature
Center, 760-767-3098.
Mar. 2, Sun., 9:00 a.m. -
12:30 p.m.
Field Trip: Ancient Lake Cahuilla ( Easy to moderate)
Leader: John Peterson,
Hydrologist and Geologist
This program is full
The trip will include two minor hikes at
both sites that are about 200 yards long. This is on uneven terrain
and off trail and should be considered a moderate short
walk. Four-wheel vehicles are required since sand and rough roads
will be encountered. This is a half-day trip to explore the old
historical expanse of Lake Cahuilla. Thousands of years ago, the
Colorado River flowed into the closed desert basin known as Salton
Sea. Evidence of this ancient lake still exists! The trip is
designed to show how large and expansive the lake was. At our first
stop we will venture up to the old seashore which is approximately
250 feet above State Route #86. From that location, you will be able
to scan out and imagine the scope of this ancient sea that covered
the region. At our second stop, we will examine the features that
still remain, showing the Desert Cahuilla Indian tribes' method of
catching their next meal. The stop has an excellent array of rock
features that the tribe used to "trap" fish within, called fish
traps. These traps are located on an old seashore with freshwater
seashells still present. The site also presents the expansive extent
of the ancestral Lake Cahuilla. Limit of 15 people. 4WD is required.
We will be able to arrange some carpooling before we start. General
Public $20, Members $18, Volunteers $15. Call the Nature Center,
760-767-3098.
Mar. 4,
Tues., 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hike: Coyote Peak (Strenuous)
Leaders: Terri Straub and Carmelita Logerwell
Hike 6 miles, 2,618’ gain, strenuous.
Join Terri and Carmelita on their grand finale hike for the season!
Come hike that peak you've driven by so many times and always
wondered what it's like up there. This is an out-and-back hike to
Coyote Peak from Rockhouse Truck Trail. Wonderful 360-degree views
from the top. The trail is well-marked once we're on the ridge. This
dirt road should be passable for AWD cars. Max 15. Meet at ABDNHA by
7:50. Bring lunch, snacks, and water. No charge. Call 760-767-3098
to reserve.
Mar. 4,
Tues., 9 a.m. – Approx. Noon
Nature Journaling (Easy)
Leaders: Pat Matthews, Pam Blake, Selden McKee See Feb.
This activity repeats on the first
and third Tuesdays of the month to explore nature journaling in the
ABDNHA garden and other nearby areas. No experience is
necessary—just a curiosity about the natural world. Participants
will need a small, unlined journal, pencil, eraser, micron pen,
colored pencils or compact watercolor set, and a chair. We will be
outdoors, so a sun hat, water, and snack are recommended. Meet in
parking lot of ABDNHA No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.
Mar. 6,
Thur., 9 a.m. – Approx. Noon
Plant Amble (Easy)
Leader: Pam
Blake
This activity is focused on plants,
flowering or not. Short, slow, and easy amble in a wash (Glorietta
or similar). Plan for frequent stops to discuss vegetation — flowers
if there are any, and more likely, desert adaptations of the plants
we encounter, including cacti. No experience is necessary — just a
curiosity about the desert plants. For these Pam’s Ambles, please
leave your dogs at home! Max. 12 people. Meet at ABDNHA. Call
760-767-3098 to reserve.
Mar. 6,
Thur., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
ABDNHA Travel Series: Ilulissat is
Icebergs
Sanjiv Nanda & Urmi Ray
This presentation will be live
in the ABDNHA Library and also as a ZOOM Webinar.
Ilullissat, Greenland, lies just north of Ilulissat Kangerlua (Icefjord) that
feeds 10% of the icebergs into the North Atlantic. The Icefjord is
fed by Sermeq Kujalleq, the fastest flowing glacier in the world,
flowing on average 130 feet every 24 hours. The glacier calves more
than 11 cubic miles of icebergs per year, equivalent to 12 trillion
gallons of fresh water. The Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO world
heritage site. Illulissat is the third largest city in Greenland,
home to 5,000 people and 3,500 sled dogs. It is the birthplace of
Knud Rasmussen, the famous Danish-Inuit explorer known for some of
the earliest long-distance dogsled expeditions. We will share our
encounter with the Icefjord, travel with thousands of icebergs, and
observe the iceberg traffic jam at the exit of the Icefjord. We will
travel overnight on the coastal ferry to visit the settlement of
Uummannaq, the northernmost point of our journey at 70 degrees north
latitude.
GP $12; M $10; V $8. Register for the live presentation
online or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
To register for the
webinar go to
Mar. 7,
Fri.,10 a.m. (Every Friday)
ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
Volunteer Leader:
Paul Petersen
Relaxed social ride of 20-30 mostly flat miles at a
10-12 mph pace. Routes will vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight
the roads less traveled. Return time will vary with the route
chosen. There is no charge, and no registration is required. Note
the meeting location this season: Meet in the parking lot opposite
the county library's south entrance.
Mar. 7, Fri., 6:30 p.m. –
7:30 p.m.
Lecture: The Palm Oasis
Speaker: James Cornett,
Biologist, Author
The desert
palm oasis is the most unexpected and spectacular environment in the
California deserts. Abundant shade, relatively cool temperatures,
and shimmering green have attracted animals and humans for the past
10,000 years. Many of the most pristine oases occur here in the
Anza-Borrego region. In the ABDNHA Library. Join palm oasis expert
James Cornett as he leads us on a fascinating and humorous journey
through this remarkable habitat.GP $12; M $10; V $8. Register online
or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Mar. 8, Sat., 1 p.m. – 1:30
p.m.
A Short Walk in ABDNHA's Desert Garden
Leader: ABDNHA
Botany Volunteer
Join us for a short stroll
around ABDNHA’s garden, a peaceful and beautiful spot full of desert
plants from throughout the Southwest deserts, trees, cacti, shrubs,
and annual flowers, as well as many colorful signs and artwork. The
garden is in bloom now, attracting birds. Artwork and information
panels lend additional color. The garden surface is flat, making
walking very easy. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot. No charge. Call
or drop by at the Nature Center to reserve.
Mar. 8, Sat., 6:30 p.m. – 8
p.m.
Lecture: Plate Tectonics 2.0
Speaker: Geoscience
Educator Don Barrie
While many are familiar with plate tectonics, few appreciate its
complexity. Retired geology professor Don Barrie will cover the
topics of plate tectonics on a sphere, boundary migration, and the
mechanisms that drive these processes. He’ll conclude by
illustrating how plate tectonics has influenced Earth's air, water,
life, and solid structures. In the ABDNHA Library. GP $12; M $10; V
$8
Mar. 10, Mon., 8 a.m. – Noon
Hike: Cool Canyon (Fairly Strenuous)
Leader: Bruce Kelley
ABDNHA Volunteer This is a 4-mile hike (round trip) up the wash with
several “step-ups” plus several 10’-15’ waterfalls to climb. We pass
many beautiful rock formations and many types of cacti. The hike
will end at a small Native American encampment. There isn’t much
shade, so wear sunscreen, bring water, a hat, hiking boots with good
traction. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot by 7:50 a.m. The hike
starts at a 35-minute drive past Scissors Crossing and through most
of Shelter Valley to a short jeep road. No charge. Call to reserve,
760-767-3098.
Mar. 11, Tue., 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This hike had been
rescheduled from February 26
Hike: Alcoholic Pass Trail to Rockhouse Canyon (Strenuous)
*See
Hike Ratings*
Leader:
ABDNHA Volunteer Rachel
Rench
The hike starts on a well-worn route up to the top of the
hill, then continues through a wide pass used by Native Indian
families to cross from one valley to the other. If we’ve had some
rain, the bushes will be in bloom, and the ground will be covered in
colorful “belly flowers.” After 4 miles, we’ll reach Rockhouse
Canyon Road and take a break before returning the way we came. 15
people Max. Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, lunch, and your own
story on how Alcoholic Pass got its name. Meet at 7:45 at the ABDNHA
parking lot to carpool to the parking area in Coyote Canyon.
Mar. 12, Wed., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Borrego Rock and Gem Club Field
Trip
Meets at ABDNHA 2nd Wed through May.
Mar. 12, Wed., 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
4WD Tour: Gas Domes,
Shell Reef, Pumpkin Patch, OWSVRA
Leader: Jim Torian ABDNHA
Volunteer
Explore points of interest in the Ocotillo
Wells SVRA. Meet and brief at 8:30 a.m. in the ABDNHA parking lot,
then caravan about 27 miles to Poleline Road on SR 78, where we will
air down to begin our journey. Restrooms are available here and in
other areas of the park. We will wind our way through the SVRA in a
north and west direction. With over 8 features on our route, we will
visit as many as we have time for, including the Gas Domes, Shell
Reef, and the Pumpkin Patch. Then on to Arroyo Salado and S22 where
our trip ends, 17 miles east of Borrego Springs. Road conditions
range from hardpan, washboard, and mildly rocky, to some easy hills
and soft sandy washes. We’ll cover about 28 miles with a rise of
about 880 feet. Lunch is BYO. Have a high clearance 4WD vehicle with
a full tank of gas. Check the weather and dress accordingly. GMRS
radio is optional. Max. 22 people. No charge. Stop in at the Nature
Center or call 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Mar. 13, Thurs., 7:30 p.m. –
10 p.m.
Full Moon Walk: South Palm Wash
Mike McElhatton,
ABDNHA Education Director
Join ABDNHA’s Program
Director Mike McElhatton on this month’s Full Moon Walk in South
Palm Wash. Experience the unique and serene beauty of moonlight on
the canyon walls as we take a 1.5-mile walk through South Palm Wash.
Most of this is an easy walk, although a few moderate areas require
“big steps” on inclines. We meet at the ABDNHA office and carpool
from there. A flashlight, water, and good hiking shoes are required.
Max. 22 people. Activity cancels whenever cloud cover limits the
moonlight. No charge. Reserve at the Nature Center or call
760-767-3098.
Mar. 14, Fri., 10 a.m. (Every Friday)
ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA
Volunteer
Mar. 14, Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Lecture:
Gardening our World
Ari Novi, Ph.D., President / /CEO San Diego
Botanic Garden Plants make up 80% of
all life on Earth by mass. How we manage our plants locally and
globally will determine our planet's and humanity's future he Ph.Dalth.
This lecture will take us on a journey through the past, present,
and future to explore how gardening our planet can help us realize a
green and hopeful future. Dr. Novi has had a long life of gardening
experience, including as the Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic
Garden in Wash. DC. and as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the
Salk Institute for Biological Discoveries. This evening, he will
also describe how the San Diego Botanic Garden Fridayyis helMarch 14ping to
safeguard plants for the future and is leading efforts to ensure
plants continue to be used to discover new pharmaceuticals and
positively influence human wellbeing. ABDNHA Library. GP $12; M $10;
V $8. Register online or Nature Center, 760-767-3098
Mar. 18,
Tues., 9 a.m. – Approx. Noon
Nature Journaling (Easy) See Feb.
18 for description.
Mar. 20, Thur., 9 a.m. – Approx. Noon
Plant Amble (Easy)
Mar. 21, Fri., 9 a.m. – Noon
Driving Tour: Explore Borrego Springs History
Leader: Amy
Brewster, ABDNHA Volunteer
Learn about the unique history of
Borrego Springs with historian/naturalist Amy Brewster, by visiting
a few historic sites. We will drive to Old Borrego, the Ensign Ranch
Date Shack, and a few of our motels and resorts to learn about their
origin. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool. Walking is minimal. Bring a hat,
water, and camera. No charge. To reserve: 760-767-3098.
Mar. 21, Fri., 10 a.m. (Every
Friday)
ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
Volunteer
Leader: Paul Petersen
Relaxed social ride of 20-30 mostly flat miles
at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes will vary weekly, fun rides to highlight
the roads less travelled. Return time will vary with route chosen.
No charge, and no registration required. Note the new meeting
location this season: Meet in the parking lot opposite the county
library south entrance.
Mar. 21, Fri., 6:30 p.m. –
7:30 p.m.
Lecture: The California Gold Rush
Speaker: Greg
Velm, Historian
There were rustlers and
rowdies, natives, fortune seekers, and pioneer families. It's a
great story about how people settled down to enjoy this beautiful
place as they traded gold pans for pie pans. How did the discovery
of gold change the Anza Borrego, Julian and San Diego area? Relive
our region's golden adventure with best-selling historian Greg
Velm, author of AP US History for Dummies and True Gold: History
and Adventure in the Gold Country. GP $12; M $10; V $8. ABDNHA
Library. Register online, or call 760-767-3098.
Mar. 22, Sat., 9 a.m. – Noon
Hike: Strontium Volcano (Moderate)
Speaker: John Peterson,
Geologist/Hydrologist
This field trip is to an
interesting old mine site, active in the 1940s, located just north
of the entrance to Fish Creek and north of the gypsum mine. The
deposit was mined for strontium, which was used in flares during
WWII. The deposit likely formed during an extrusive hydrothermal
event when the mineral was extruded through surface vents. These
vents are still present on the surface of the deposit. No charge.
Good hiking shoes are a must. John Peterson is a certified
geologist/hydrogeologist with his own consulting business. Max 15
people. Call or visit the Nature Center to reserve.
Mar. 22, Sat., 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Photography Workshop: Story
Telling with Your SmartPhone Camera
Speaker: Alicia Wszelaki,
Professional Filmmaker
Join Alicia Wszelaki of Path 88
Productions in the ABDNHA Garden as she teaches smartphone basics
and shares different ways of telling a story with your phone camera.
Max. 10. GP $50; M $35; V $30. Register online www.abdnha.org or
Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Mar. 22, Sat., 1 p.m. – 1:30
p.m.
Walk in ABDNHA’s Desert Garden
Leader: ABDNHA Botany
Volunteer
See March 8 for description.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Live
Hawk
Talk At the ABDNHA front Visitor Plaza
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Film: HAWKWATCH
Producer: Filmmakers Path 88 Productions
HAWKWATCH is a documentary
about the Borrego Valley Hawkwatch in production since 2023. In
addition to filming two full seasons of hawk migration through
Borrego Springs, the cast and crew traveled to Veracruz, Mexico,
Antelope Valley, CA, and Corpus Christi, TX, to capture on film the
incredible spectacle of avian migration and nesting. This program
showcases the intense beauty and sense of awe inspired by the annual
hawk migration and the efforts of local hawk watchers. Revered
raptors, dedicated citizen scientists, and a fragile desert
environment, HAWKWATCH the film brings them all together. Watch as a
passionate group works tirelessly to perpetuate their legacy: the
support of the Swainson’s Hawk migration. GP $15; M $12 V $10.
Mar., 22, Sat. 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Lecture: Research into
Swainson’s Hawks in Southern California
Speaker: Peter Bloom,
Ph.D.,
 Biologist
SaturDr. Peeyter H. Bloom
is an internationally acclaimed raptor biologist, having spent more
than four decades studying, bandiney Bartong, and tracking hawks, kites,
condors, and owls. In tonight’s program, Dr. Bloom talks about the
results of The latest research by himself and Coinvestigator Rainey
Barton. GP $12; M $10; V $8. Register online www.abdnha.org or
at the Nature Center at 760-767-3098.
Mar. 24, Mon., 8 a.m. – Noon
Hike: Painted Canyon Wash (Strenuous)
Leader: Robin Halford,
ABDNHA Volunteer
The walls of Painted Canyon
provide a spectacular palette of colors and then open up into a
wash. This is a 6.2-mile out-and-back hike. Expect uneven ground,
two ladders, one rope, beautiful geology, and possibly blooming
annuals. Limit 10. Bring a snack and hat, and wear sturdy shoes.
Meeting Place: From Borrego, drive east on S-22. Turn left and drive
north on Hwy86. Turn Right (East) on 66th and go over the bypass
bridge. Turn right (East) at the light and drive 4.5 miles (66th Ave
turns into Box Canyon Road). Turn left (West) onto Painted Canyon
Road (Dirt). We will caravan from here. AWD with high clearance OK.
No charge. Call 760-767-3098 or stop by the Nature Center to
reserve.
Mar. 26, Wed., 2 p.m. – 3
p.m. Borrego Rock and Gem Club Meeting
In the ABDNHA Activity Room.
Mar.
28, Fri., 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
ABDNHA DESERT LECTURE SERIES
Borrego Performing Arts Center
Community Ecology in Anza-Borrego Speaker: Marie Simovich,
Ph.D.,Co-author of “A Natural History of the Anza-Borrego Region”
Biologist and author Marie Simovich explains how species interact
with each other and the environment to form nature communities. A
professor at University of San Diego for 32 years, her natural
history book with co-author Mike Wells evolved from a course on the
natural history of the Anza-Borrego region developed by the authors
over 16 years and taught at USD. It’s the story of how the desert
landscape evolved and how organisms inhabiting the desert have
adapted to the conditions found here by taking a variety of
evolutionary paths to deal with aridity, heat, and saline soils.
Location: Borrego Performing Arts Center. Seating is firsAutt come
first served. Open to the public. Free for ABDNHA members, $10 at
the door for all others. No registration required.
Mar. 28, Fri., 10 a.m. (Every Friday)
ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
Volunteer
Leader: Paul Petersen
Relaxed social ride of 20-30 mostly flat miles
at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes will vary weekly, fun rides to highlight
the roads less travelled. Return time will vary with route chosen.
No charge, and no registration required. Note the new meeting
location this season: Meet in the parking lot opposite the county
library south entrance.
Mar. 29, Sat., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Lecture: Paleontology, The Imperial Sea
Speaker: Tom Demere,
Ph.D.
Tom Demere is the
curator of paleontology at the San Diego Natural History Museum,
where he studies the origin and evolution of marine mammalsSaturday, and
heads the paleontological mitigation services program. He is also
the author of two chapters on marine paleontology in the book Fossil
Tre Anza0Borreasures of the Anza-Borrego Desert, published in 2006. Millions of
years ago, the Imperial Sea existed as far north as the Coachella
Valley. Fossil remains of invertebrates like corals, mollusks, and
sand dollars indicate that the sea existed before the North and
South Americas were joined at the Isthmus of Panama. ABDNHA Library.
GP $12; M $10; V $8. Register online or at the Nature Center at
760-767-3098.
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