SCB Bulletin Board Forum: Field Trips

naomi on "Spring 2009 Field trips posted"

naomi — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:59:02 +0000

SCB Spring 2009 field trips have been posted.
http://socalbot.org/trips.php

Please send comments on additional field trip suggestions. Thanks!

StaciMarkos on "Desert Mountains Workshop"

StaciMarkos — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:43:53 +0000

This workshop will focus on the field identification of both common and rare species. The Granite Mountains Desert Research Center will serve as our homebase from which to explore the sky islands of the Mojave. We will travel up to 100 miles each day and hikes will be moderately strenuous. We will be collecting in the field and evenings will be spent identifying collections and preparing herbarium specimens at the research center.

Course fee ($450/$475) includes accommodations, meals, and transportation for the duration of the workshop. Camping will be at a private campground with a pit toilet and stored water.

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/workshops/2008/index.html

Contact: Anna Larsen (alrsen@berkeley.edu; 510-643-7008)

naomi on "Weekend at the James Reserve (San Jacinto Mountains)"

naomi — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 06:28:55 +0000

This even has been postponed and will be held next year. Cntact naomi fraga or go to socalbot.org for more details

naomi on "Walk Pass Field Trip"

naomi — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:01:47 +0000

Approximatley 18 people attended the Walker Pass field trip April 21, 2007.

We visited the Walker Pass Campground and observed 40 species along the Pacific crest trail heading towards the Owens Peak Segment.

The plant list is available here for download.

naomi on "Weekend at the James Reserve (San Jacinto Mountains)"

naomi — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:56:19 +0000

June22-24 2007, Friday-Sunday, James Reserve, San Jacinto Mountains. Leaders (confirmed) Steve Boyd, Tom Chester, Naomi Fraga, Jamie King (presenting), Tracy Tennant, Scott White (presenting).

The Southern California Botanists invite you for a weekend of wildflower walks and presentations exploring the flora of the San Jacinto Mountains and ongoing research at the James Reserve. Join Steve Boyd, Tom Chester, Naomi Fraga, Jamie King (presenter), Tracy Tennant, and Scott White (presenter) for field trips to various spots around the San Jacinto Mountains. Cost: $75 members / $90 non members. Registration deadline: June 9th 2007. Visit socalbot.org for registration form and information. Download flyer and registration form here.

naomi on "Finding "Woodwardia Canyon" and the Mexican flannelbush"

naomi — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:46:38 +0000

Sunday May 20th, 2007 Finding "Woodwardia Canyon" and the Mexican flannelbush Otay Mountain, Southern San Diego County
Meet at Lower Otay Reservoir at 8AM return to vehicles at 3:30PM
If you would like to go email Jonathan Snapp-Cook at snappcook(at)gmail.com to reserve a space and get directions for the meeting spot.

Mexican flannelbush (Fremontodendron mexicanum) is one of the rarest shrubs in the California flora. Its large yellow flowers and evergreen foliage set this species apart from most rare species that are small, inconspicuous or otherwise hard to spot. Yet still only one native population of Mexican flannelbush was thought to exist in 1998 when it was federally listed. The fires in San Diego County in 2003 opened up areas that had previously been too densely vegetated to survey and a second population of Mexican flannelbush was found. Further research into the historical herbarium collections found that collections made in 1935 (C. F. Harbison) and 1936 (F.F. Gander and C. W. Wolf) had geographical information that didn't match with the known populations. These herbarium labels suggested that there was (and hopefully still is) another native population on Otay Mountain in "Woodwardia Canyon." The only problem is that it seems "Woodwardia Canyon" is not labeled on any maps. Please join this field trip to locate "Woodwardia Canyon." As forensic botanists we will be armed with the historical herbarium labels and a list of other collections made from "Woodwardia Canyon." We will try to recollect the specimens that our fore-botanist collected from this site and census any new populations of Mexican flannelbush that we find. This field trip is off trail in a BLM wilderness area. There will be approximately 6-8 miles of strenuous hiking on uneven, rocky and steep terrain. Please wear a hat, boots, and long pants. Please bring lunch, at least 2 liters of water, sunscreen, and other appropriate field gear (e.g. cameras, notebooks). Plant pressing material will be provided. Please email Jonathan Snapp-Cook at snappcook(at)gmail.com to reserve a space and get directions. Also, if you have knowledge of any additional clues that would be helpful (i.e. field notes from Harbison, Gander, or Wolf, or a map of "Woodwardia Canyon") please contact Jonathan.

naomi on "Jun 15-17, Fri-Sun Nature Knowledge Workshop"

naomi — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 14:02:30 +0000

The Sierra Club Natural Science Section invites you to join them for a weekend of enjoyment and discovery as you learn about the natural wonders that surround us.
Enhance your knowledge about our precious natural resources from professional naturalists who share their expertise in bird and bat identification, reptile, plant, geology
and insect studies. From our accommodations at a streamside camp in the San Bernardino Mtns. explore 3 habitats – chaparral, forest and riparian – via easy guided walks led
by our naturalists. In addition to the walks, there will be a program Fri night and special-interest and hands-on workshops Sat afternoon and evening. All this and hot
showers too! LTC credit available. Fee includes 2 nights lodging in dormitory cabins (bring own sleeping bag), 6 full-course meals and instruction. (Tent or car camping
available). Reservation deadline June 1. Send check made out to "Sierra Club/NSS" along with 2 SASE (or Email address), H&W phones, names of all participants, $138 with SC#
/ $158 non-member to Reservationist: Monica Donley, 5551 Mammoth Ave, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401, 818-988-7192. Visit our website www.angeles.sierraclub.org/nss/ for reservation
form. Participants must be 13 years or older (under 18 must be accompanied by adult). Leaders: LIANA ARGENTO. Asst Leaders: CLIFF & GABI MCLEAN

naomi on "Harford Springs County Park field trip"

naomi — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 20:35:25 +0000

May 5, 2007 (Saturday)
9:00 AM -2:00 PM

Leader: Dave Bramlet

This park contains a large area of cismontane juniper woodland, a unique clay soil grassland flora, along with other plant communities.. The park is noted for a locality of the state and federally listed Munz’s onion, and other sensitive plant species. Due to the very dry season for 2007, most of these plants will not be visible at the time of our field trip, but will be examining the plant communities and some of the desert disjunct shrubs found in the park.

To reach the park take the 91 freeway to La Sierra Ave. and go south to Lake Mathews. At Cajalco Road go east (right) to Gavilan Road (about six miles). Take Gavilan Road south for about 2 miles, going past the riparian areas of the park, and then look for the park keeper’s office, a mobile home on the east side of the road w/ adequate parking (21630 Gavilan Rd. Perris, CA). We will probably carpool from the headquarters office, to the area off of Ida Leona Road, which has very limited parking.

Bring your western Riverside County checklist, a sack lunch, water, sunscreen, and a hand lens.
Please contact Dave Bramlet (714) 549-0647 or debramlet@earthlink.net for further information.

naomi on "San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County field trip"

naomi — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 20:34:01 +0000

April 15 2007 (Sunday)
9:00 AM- Noon

Leader: Dave Bramlet

The CDFG San Jacinto Wildlife Area is well known for a diverse alkali playa-grassland flora and a number of sensitive plant species, especially the San Jacinto Valley crownscale (Atriplex coronata var. notatior). The alkali habitats are assumed to be very dry this year, and large wildflower blooms would not be anticipated. However, we will search for a number of species that are sensitive or unique to these alkali communities. These may include the Davidson’s saltscale (Atriplex davidsonii), vernal barley (Hordeum intercedens), and the smooth tarplant (Centromadia pungens ssp. laevis).

Meet at 9:00 AM at the Headquarters Parking lot of the San Jacinto Wildlife Area
(SJWA).To reach the SJWA take the I-215 south to the Ramona Expressway. Continue along the Expressway for approximately seven miles to Lakeview. At Lakeview turn north (left) onto Davis Road and drive north some 2.3 miles to the Reserve entrance. We will meet at the parking lot adjacent to the Reserve Headquarters.

Bring your western Riverside checklist, hand lens, water, and sack lunch. The trip will consist of some light walking around the SJWA. Please contact Dave Bramlet (714) 549-0647 or debramlet@earthlink.net for further information.

naomi on "SCB Field trip to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden"

naomi — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:31:15 +0000

Saturday, April 14, 2007
Time: 9:00 AM to Noon.
Meet at the Wisura Gate entrance to the Garden (at the northeast end of the visitor parking lot).
Trip leader: Bart O’Brien, Senior Staff Research Associate, Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.

This walking tour of the Garden will focus on some of the more interesting botanical highlights of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden’s living collection including: a rare F1 Quercus x morehus, an F2 Quercus x ganderi, Arctostaphylos australis a rare and unusual manzanita from Baja California, Mortonia utahensis a limestone endemic from the eastern Mojave, both boojums (Fouquieria columnaris), our single site native specimen of Quercus durata var. gabrielensis, and many other unusual plants. We will also visit our large groves of Pinus quadrifolia and Adenostoma sparsiflorum. Many of our plants should be in full bloom at this time, and there are always many birds and lizards to observe.

Expect to cover a lot of territory within the Garden’s 86 acres – much of our time will be spent in the Plant Communities portion of the Garden (our northern 55 acres). Wear comfortable shoes and bring some water – in case it is warm! If it is raining, we will focus on sheltered parts of the Garden including the nursery, greenhouses, seed collection, growth chambers, etc. until the rain stops or noon

naomi on "Walk Pass Field Trip"

naomi — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:15:38 +0000

April 21 2007, Saturday, Walker Pass. Leader: Naomi Fraga. Walker Pass is a mountain pass in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Field trip attendees will carpool from the meeting spot and park along Hwy 178 at a floriferous spot in the eastern portion of the pass. We will see a variety of desert annuals including and abundance of Linanthus, and Eriophyllum species. Other noteworthy plants along the way may include and desert pinchusions (Chaenactis), sun cups (Camissonia), and the ever elusive pygmy poppy (Canbya candida). Bring lunch, ample water, sunscreen and a camera (hiking will be minimal). We will meet at the Inyokern Post office 9:30 am and should arrive back in the early afternoon. Carpooling from the post office is encouraged, and we will only be traveling on paved roads. Contact Naomi Fraga for details.