Please review our hiker info page to familiarize yourself with hiker safety rules and our hike ratings so that you can select hikes that meet your level of fitness. Unless specified otherwise in the activity descriptions below, hikes have a 15 person limit, and they begin in the ABDNHA parking lot.

  • Lecture: Dudleya, California’s Unique Succulent

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Speaker: Jeff Moore, Author, Owner of Solana Succulents 
    Dudleya are beautiful succulents native to California, with some occurrences in northern Baja, Mexico, and Oregon. Jeff’s presentation will cover most of the currently described species in California and Baja, following the flow of his new book, co-written with Jeremy Spath and Kelly Griffin.

    Dudleya are found in some of the most stunning locations along the California coast—complete with cliffside backdrops and vast ocean vistas, and their photographs are breathtaking, as Jeff will share during the presentation. Jeff first became interested in Dudleya when he saw some at the San Diego County Fair in the early 1980s. He began selling them in his spare time, which eventually led to the opening of Solana Succulents in 1992. GP $12, M $10, V $8. Register online or at the Nature Center by calling 760-767-3098.

    Register here for the program.

  • Lecture: What’s Up with the Hawkwatch?

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Speakers: Tracee Geernaert and Candice Hess, Hawkwatch Leaders
    Come to the ABDNHA Library to see and hear what’s new in 2026 for the Swainson’s Hawkwatch. Hear about peak counts, which occur mid-March, and we are hoping for a great year. Our early bloom bodes well for lots of insects, also known as “hawk food.” We will bring photos, anecdotes, and lots of laughs from the field!

    The Hawkwatch update will also include a talk by visiting wildlife biologist Lizzi Weisman who is part of one of the longest-running raptor studies in North America, the Butte Valley Swainson’s Hawk project. She will discuss their study of the ecology of Swainsons hawks in Butte Valley to determine how their reproductive success is related to the quality of the habitat they choose for their nests. Register online or call 760-767-3098. GP $12, M $10, V $8.

    Register here for the program.

  • Lecture: Burrowing Owls Acoustic Research

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Speaker: Samantha Lima, Ph.D.
    Sam is a postdoc at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, where she conducts research on burrowing owls. Tonight, she will introduce bioacoustics and its application in species monitoring and explain the work of SDZWA to monitor these charismatic birds using passive acoustic methods. Additionally, she will include a demonstration of the equipment and engage in discussions about acoustic fieldwork. GP $12, M $10, V $8. Register online or at the Nature Center, 760-767-3098.

    Register here for the program.

  • Program: The Trail Less Traveled – Baja

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Speaker: Alan Ehrgott

    Author Alan Ehrgott’s (The Elusive Conquest of Queen Califa) fascination with Baja started in the 1970s when he hiked the entire 1050 mile length of the peninsula, following a mix of the Camino Real, the old route established by the Spanish that led from mission to mission, as well as the far more rugged route through Baja’s mountains, where isolated ranches continue to exist today. While things are far more developed along the heavily travelled Mexico Highway 1, life in the isolated ranches have changed far less. In his presentation, Alan shows parts of his original journey, and tells the story of the natural and cultural history of Baja, including the existential conflict between native tribes, Spanish conquistadors and Jesuit Priests, and he highlights points of interest such as the UNESCO Indigenous giant rock murals in the Sierra San Francisco. In the ABDNHA library. Register online or call 760-767-3098. GP $12, M $10, V $8.

    Register here for the program.

  • Full Moon Walk: South Palm Wash (Easy)

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Leader: 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 1.2-mile walk through South Palm Wash. Mostly a moderate walk, with a few areas that require “big steps” on inclines. We meet at the ABDNHA Library and carpool from there. A flashlight, water, and good hiking shoes are required. Limit 22. Activity cancels if cloud cover limits the moonlight. No charge. Call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve. 

  • Auto Tour: Explore Borrego Springs History

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Leader: Amy Brewster, ABDNHA Volunteer

    Learn more about the unique history of Borrego Springs with historian/naturalist Amy Brewster. We will carpool to different historic sites in Borrego Valley, Old Borego, the Ensign Ranch date shack, the site of the Fortiner family ranch, and two of our resorts to learn about their origin. Meet at the ABDNHA Library for a brief introduction. (The Nature Center is the site of the former Borrego Springs Post Office.)  Walking is minimal. Bring a hat, water, and a camera if you want to take pictures. No charge. Max. 14 people. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve. Carpooling will be strongly encouraged due to limited space at some sites.

×

Cart