Our November 2008 activities and events include:

Nov. 1, Sat., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hike: Santa Ysabel Preserve
Leader: Sanjiv Nanda

Hike through the beautiful hills and meadows of the Santa Ysabel Preserve. We will stop for lunch at one of the many picnic tables spread through this preserve along the trails. The hike is a total of 8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1000 feet. There are some steep uphill/downhill parts on this hike.

Bring lunch, plenty of water, and dress appropriately; it can be cool and windy. Wear sturdy hiking boots. This hike is a one-way hike that will require car shuttling.

Meet at 9 a.m. at Dudley's Bakery in Santa Ysabel. Call the Nature Center to reserve. NM $12, M $10, V $8.

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Nov. 1, Sat., 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Autumn Sky Stargazing
Speaker: Astronomer Dennis Mammana

You will be prepared to enjoy the Borrego night sky following this informative program presented by astronomy author and sky photographer (and Borrego resident), Dennis Mammana. He will introduce you to what you will view in the autumn sky.

Call for reservations, NM $10; M $8; V $6.

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Rattlesnake Canyon

Nov. 2, Sun., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hike: Rattlesnake Canyon Exploration
Leader: Doug Nolff

Join Hiking Leader Doug Nolff for a 4-mile moderate hike with some boulder scrambling inside Rattlesnake Canyon. We will have lots of unique geology and plants to discover and perhaps we will see a bighorn sheep or two.

This will be a leisurely hike and nature talk. Bring water, good hiking boots, and snacks for lunch in the canyon.

Meet on the north side turnout at mile 31.8 on S-22. No charge. Call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Nov. 3, Mon., 8 a.m. - Noon
Hike: Lost Palm
Leader: Robin Halford

Join Hiking Leader Robin Halford for a moderate hike, 2.8 miles to Lost Palm.

This hike follows a drainage that ends in a wonderful slot canyon. Hiking will include sand, hardpan, rocks and whatever material has washed down the narrow slot.

Meet at the beginning of the Calcite Mine Jeep Road on S22 approx. 18.5 miles east of Christmas Circle. We will carpool from here. 4WD required. Please be willing to take passengers if you want to drive. We will drive 3.1 miles into the parking area where parking space is limited.

Bring water, snack and wear hiking boots. No charge. Call the Nature Center to reserve. Space is limited.

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California Quail

Nov. 6, Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m.
Repeats Nov. 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11, 18
Beginning Birding Walk – Meets weekly!
Leader: David Lasley

Learn to identify desert birds. Learn about bird behavior and nesting habits. Walk in and around Club Circle, a good birding area with level, easy terrain.

Meet at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort.

Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes. Dress for outdoors.

Call the Nature Center for reservations. Non-members: $5 donation requested; Members and volunteers: no charge.

See our bird list.

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Nov. 8, Sat., 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tour: Prehistoric Extravaganza
Leaders: Mike & Jan Bigelow

Bring your camera as we visit the growing number of fascinating sculptures of prehistoric animals that once roamed the Borrego Springs area.

Meet at the Nature Center. Bring water, and dress comfortably for a morning outside.

Call the Nature Center to reserve; there is a $5.00 charge for all participants.

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Nov. 8, Sat., 3 – 5 p.m.
Welcome to the Desert
Leader: Karyn Barnett

Come along with naturalist Karyn on the road less traveled. Find out about the travelers who have come and gone. Learn about the living things that remain here through all seasons. Discover the unique nuances of Borrego Valley that make it so special.

We will caravan from the Nature Center. High clearance vehicle recommended. Bring water and a snack. No charge, but space is limited.

Call to reserve at the Nature Center.

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BORREGO HISTORY PRESERVATION DAY

Nov. 9, Sun., 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
TOUR OLD BOREGO TOWNSITE

You are invited to visit the Old Borego Townsite on History Preservation Day sponsored by the Borrego Civic Foundation and ABDNHA.

Tour the historic buildings that were the center of commercial development for Borrego’s homesteaders and farmers in the 1930s and 40s. Visit with old timers and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Stop by the ABDNHA table under the eaves of the old general store for a free Old Borego bookmark. Purchase copies of Borrego Beginnings, Early Days in the Borrego Valley 1910-1960 and Old Time Cattlemen.

Old Borego is located at 1580 Rango Way. Call or come by the ABDNHA Nature Center for directions, 760/767-3098.

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Nov. 10, Mon., 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Talk: Army Camel Packing Experiments
Speaker: Valerie Thomas

In commemoration of Veteran’s Day, it’s only fitting that we take time to remember and acknowledge the exploits and ingenuity of our desert veterans of yore.

Lt. Col. Val Thomas, USMC (ret.) and member of ABDNHA, will regale us with the story of any unlikely character from our desert military past, namely, a happy-go-lucky camel herder who ended up ‘joining’ the US Army as part of a grand experiment in the use of camel transport across the rugged desert Southwest. Come join Lt.Col. Val for a morning of military memories, and the story of “Hi Jolly”!

Held in the ABDNHA library.

Call the Nature Center to reserve. NM $10, M $8, V $6.

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Nov. 12, Wed., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
4WD Self Recovery: Beginning Class & Field Testing New Skills
Instructor: Outfitter & Guide Bill Burke

The morning prepares you and your 4WD vehicle for safe travel in the backcountry.

Learn how to get unstuck and use necessary equipment safely. See various scenarios for self-recovery. Learn to be prepared for a variety of situations in the backcountry. The afternoon includes a fun desert excursion to build on the skills learned in the morning, includes driving the washes and hills, learning more about your vehicle, and how to handle it safely. Class and field session combined into one class, which is different than in years past.

Bring lunch, water, and notepad. Visit Bill Burke’s web site at for more information.

Register early, a minimum enrollment is required for this class to go; call the Nature Center, (760) 767-3098. A maximum of 10 vehicles is permitted. The fee is per person. The first person in the car is NM $75, M $70. The second person in the car is NM $65, M $60; third person is NM $55, M $50. (This class is a prerequisite to the advanced class offered Nov. 19.)

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Nov. 13, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Volunteer Training Series: Beginning Bird Walk
Leader: David Lasley

In this first class in the ABDNHA Volunteer Training Series, we will identify resident desert birds and look for fall migrants.

Nature Center volunteers are often asked by visitors to identify birds and recommend birding “hot spots.” Leader David Lasley will discuss bird behavior and nesting habits on this easy walk in and around Club Circle Resort, a good birding area with level terrain.

Meet at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort.

Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes. Dress for outdoors. Call the Nature Center to RSVP.

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Nov. 13, Thurs., 5:30 p.m.
Volunteer POTLUCK & Star Party

ABDNHA Volunteers, staff, board members, and families are all invited to a potluck social to kick-off the new season at the home of Nancy & Richard Bye on Pecos Trail.

Enjoy the night sky with astronomer & sky photographer, Dennis Mammana; telescopes will be provided. Catch up with friends—old and new—after the summer hiatus. Mark your calendars.

Volunteers will receive an invitation. RSVP to the Nature Center, 760-767-3098. Bring a book (or CD, video, or DVD) for the Book Exchange – bring yours to trade, take home something new.

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Nov. 14, Fri., 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Volunteer Training Series: Field Trip to the Desert
Guide: Joan Malone

Spend a morning getting reacquainted with our magnificent desert. Call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Nov. 14, Fri., 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Desert Gardeners Meeting

Meet at the Nuevo Oso Ranch. Ray Bernand will teach you all you need to know about growing organic vegetables. No charge. Open to all.

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Nov. 15, Sat., 9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Volunteer Training Series: All Day Desert Seminar
Speakers: Paul Johnson, Stacie Wilson, Hal Cohen

9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. – Paul Johnson – Get acquainted with the recently reprinted “Weekender’s Guide” presented by author & photographer Paul Johnson.

10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. – Stacie Wilson – Hear about the Cahuilla Indians from Stacie who has identified and mapped pre-historic Mountain Cahuilla settlements and subsistence patterns.

11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. – Lunch provided

12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. – Hal Cohen – Let Hal bring you up to date with all the latest “bird” happenings in the desert.

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Nov. 19, Wed., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Advanced 4WD Self Recovery Class
Instructor: Outfitter & Guide Bill Burke

We will take our basic knowledge and move along to get in actual winching and recovery strap use.

Learn simple field fixes with basic tools. The terrain we choose will depend on which vehicles show up, but will be more demanding than the sandy terrain traversed during the basic self-recovery class, which is a prerequisite to this advanced class.

See Nov. 12 for basic class. Bring lunch and water. Visit Bill Burke’s web site at www.bb4wa.com for more information.

Register early, a minimum enrollment is required for this class to go; call the Nature Center, (760) 767-3098. A maximum of 10 vehicles is permitted.

The fee is per person. The first person in the car is NM $75, M $70. The second person in the car is NM $65, M $60; third person is NM $55, M $50.

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Nov. 20, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Repeats Dec. 4, 11, 18
Beginning Birding Walk – Meets weekly!
Leader: David Lasley

Learn to identify desert birds. Learn about bird behavior and nesting habits. Walk in and around Club Circle, a good birding area with level, easy terrain.

Meet at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort.

Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes. Dress for outdoors.

Call the Nature Center for reservations. Non-members: $5 donation requested; Members and volunteers: no charge.

See our list of birds seen in 2007-2008.

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Nov. 22, Sat.; 9 a.m. – Noon
Anza-Borrego 101: Climate and Weather, Desert with a Warm Heart
Instructor: Michael Wangler

Whether it be the gentle, life-giving winter rains, the howling springtime windstorms, the intense summer heat, or the torrential downpours of the monsoon, the weather of Anza-Borrego is anything but boring.

This class will explore these and other seasonally unique weather patterns found in the Anza-Borrego Desert. We will learn how seasonal change affects Anza-Borrego’s weather patterns and how these weather patterns, are in turn, affected by Anza-Borrego’s unique geographic setting. In addition, we will learn the necessary skills to better understand day-to-day weather patterns, and learn how to employ our senses for predicting the short-term weather.

Recommended for anyone interested in learning more about climate and weather from an expert in desert geography. Reservations required, call the Nature Center to reserve. NM: $14; M: $12; V: $10.

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Nov. 23, Sun., 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Hike: Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon Loop
Leader: Interpretive Guide Joe Migliore

Step back over a billion years of geologic time into the colorful badlands of the Mecca Hills where the rocks have been wildly thrust and folded by the San Andreas Fault.

Ladder Canyon is a slot canyon with a few dry waterfalls where good Samaritans have placed ladders making it possible for us regular folks to negotiate. If you’re not comfortable with ladders and height this may not be for you. Otherwise enjoy a wonderful ascent to the mesa with expansive views of the Salton Sea and mountains.

We will talk natural history along the way, a total of about 5 miles and 500 feet elevation gain.

Meet at the junction of Painted Cyn. Rd., about 100 yards NE of the Coachella Canal on Box Canyon Rd. (4WD may be required). Bring lunch, water, sunscreen, etc.

Reservations required. NM: $16; M: $14; V: $12.

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Nov. 28, Fri., 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Passive Solar Architecture

Speaker Deborah Sperberg will discuss How do you design, build, or retrofit a house that is toasty warm in winter and cooler in summer? How can we design to use less of the earth’s dwindling resources? How can you retrofit an existing house to cut your electric bills and increase your comfort?

Join us for this informative one-hour program. No charge, no reservations.

Meet at the Borrego Springs Library, at the east end of The Mall.

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Red-tailed Hawk

Nov. 28, Fri., 7:30 p.m.
ABDNHA Desert Lecture Series
LIVE RAPTOR BIRDS OF PREY
Nancy Conney, Educator, Raptor Education Program
Sponsored by CalEnergy, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company

Program includes live raptor demonstration and talk about natural history of birds of prey. Nancy will present information on where to take injured wildlife and on the wildlife protection laws.

No charge to ABDNHA Members. For nonmembers, there is a $5.00 fee at the door, which may be applied to a new membership in ABDNHA.

At the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. Seating is limited and on a first-come basis. For information, call (760) 767-3098. Refreshments served following the program.

Tonight’s program is the first of five in ABDNHA’s 37th Annual Desert Lecture Series, which continues monthly in January through April.

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Nov. 29, Sat., 9 a.m. - Noon
4WD Tour of Grapevine Canyon

Join Volunteer naturalist Deborah Sperberg for a morning exploring Grapevine Canyon.

This canyon follows the southern edge of Pinyon Ridge and contains several springs that flow into San Felipe Creek. We’ll stop at Angelina Springs, an important Indian village site, and possible a second spring.

Meet at the north side of Christmas Circle.

Ensure you have ample gas, plenty of water, and a snack if you wish. Limit 8 4WD vehicles, please be willing to carpool. Call for reservations at the Nature Center and mention if you need a ride. (This trip repeats on Dec. 30.)

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Nov. 29, Sat., 7:30 p.m.
Stargazing Program

Astronomer Dr. Jim and Grace Rickard provide two telescopes for observing and identifying the constellations in our clear desert skies.

Binoculars helpful, warm clothes, chairs, and flashlights. Sponsored by ABDNHA, there is no charge or reservations necessary for this excellent program.

We will be hosted by the Borrego Lutheran Church, located on Church Lane. If you need directions, please call the Nature Center. Canceled in case of cloud cover.

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