Come Celebrate Earth Day All Month With Us
For the month of April, Channel Islands Restoration is offering educational events including walks, talks and more to celebrate Earth Day (officially April 22) and show our support for environmental protection.
Grassland Ecology Tour | Nature & Geology Walks | Natural History Hike
If interested, you are also encouraged to ask your tour guide for information about our
San Marcos Foothills Docent Program.
Earth Day Event Dates & Descriptions. All Events Start At 9am
April 16th: Grassland Ecology Walk
Talks will focus on the co-evolution of grass and grazing animals, and the importance of grasslands as an ecosystem worldwide. Native grasslands once were almost half of the land area of the contiguous 48 states; now most of the remaining grassland is seriously degraded. Cindy Kimmick has been a board member of CIR for 15 years and an L.A. Zoo docent for 30 years, specializing in hoofed mammals and plant/animal interactions). She traveled to Mongolia to study Eurasian grasslands and the reintroduction of Przewalski’s horse.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 minutes early to check-in for an on-time start at 9 am.
April 10th: Nature Tour with Scott Orlosky
Will focus on the interconnectedness of the grasslands with geology, the animals, and the natural, seasonal rhythms of the San Marcos Foothills.
Scott Orlosky has been a long-time supporter of the San Marcos Foothills Preserve and an active contributor of time and effort that helped save this beautiful area from development. His weekly reports have helped shape CIR’s management plan, and he is a key volunteer assisting with the San Marcos Foothills docent program.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 minutes early to check-in for an on-time start at 9 am.
April 9th & 24th: Geology Walk with Susie Bartz
The geology tour will focus on the overall landscape and the big processes - - tectonics, weathering, and erosion -- that shape it. The itinerary follows an easy 1-mile loop past boulders that show evidence of these processes and clues to their marine origin.
Entrance on Via Gaitero at the gate/kiosk at the top of the parking area. Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 minutes early to check-in for an on-time start at 9 am.
April 23rd: Natural History Tour
Will focus on the history of the West Mesa including its recent acquisition by CIR, its native plants, how geology has shaped the area and influences the plants that grow there. He will also cover the grassland survey currently being conducted. Ken Owen is a co-founder of CIR and Executive Director, managing the restoration for the San Marcos Foothills Preserve and the newly acquired West Mesa.
Please plan to arrive at the tour site 15 minutes early to check-in for an on-time start at 9 am.