Our December 2008 activities and events include:

Dec. 1, Mon., 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Borrego Birders
Coordinator: Hal Cohen

Meet at Christmas Circle for announcement of location, which varies monthly. All levels welcome.

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Dec. 1, Mon., 8 a.m. - Noon
Hike: Pinyon Guzzler Loop
Leader: Robin Halford

On this strenuous hike we will visit the guzzlers in Pinyon Wash. We will have a steep and rocky ascent to reach these guzzlers with the same type of descent. We will loop around up a sandy wash. There is a good variety of desert vegetation to see in this area.

Meet at the beginning of Pinyon Wash Jeep Road on Highway 78, approximately 4.0 miles east of Tamarisk Grove. 4WD required. We will carpool from here and drive in 4.3 miles to the parking area. Please be willing to take passengers.

No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve. Space is limited.

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Dec. 4, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
Repeats Dec. 11, 18, Jan. 8

Meet leader David Lasley at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort. Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes.

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

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Black-throated Sparrow, Borrego Palm Canyon

Dec. 6, Sat., 9 a.m. - Noon
Guided Discover Walk: Borrego Palm Canyon

Join naturalist Karyn Barnett for a guided nature walk to the first palm grove in Palm Canyon. What animals live in the canyon? Are there any wildflowers blooming? Let's find out together.

Fairly easy walking on uneven terrain; some scrambling over rocks. Bring a lunch, water and wear a hat and hiking clothes.

Meet at the Nature Center; carpooling encouraged. Entrance fee to trailhead is $6 per vehicle. No charge. Call the Nature Center for reservations.

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Dec. 6, Sat., 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Annual ABDNHA CHILI FEST

All are invited to celebrate the season with us! Enjoy homemade chili, corn bread, and desserts.

ABDNHA members (including those who join this evening!) receive 20% discount on purchases tonight-that's an extra 5% over the usual 15%. For nonmembers, any receipt from our Nature Center dated Dec. 6, 2008, entitles you to dinner tonight!

Arrive early; the first 50 guests receive a special door prize! Games, prizes, fun events (including the popular treasure chest) for the young at heart.

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Dec. 9, Tue., 6:30–8 p.m.
Presentation: The Camel Trophy Africa: Neither a Race or a Rally, but an Adventurous Expedition!
Presenter: Outfitter & Guide Bill Burke

In 1991 Bill Burke was selected to represent the U.S. as part of a 2-person team in the Camel Trophy. This arduous 23-day event took place in Tanzania and crossed into Burundi.

Join us for Bill’s extraordinary slides showing the 24-hour a day efforts of the international competitors, including rain, mud, 4-wheeling, winching, wild animals, special tasks, camaraderie, and competition on this exciting event that retraced the route of Scotch missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone during his search for the source of the Nile.

Held at ABDNHA. Call (760) 767-3098 to reserve. NM: $12; M: $10; V: $8.

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Mine Wash

Dec. 10, Wed., 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hike - Mine Wash Vista
Leaders: Mary Ekelund and Paul Larson

Join volunteer Naturalists Mary and Paul on a drive back into Mine Wash where we will continue on foot for a 4-mile round trip hike with ever-changing sights around each bend.

We will need to climb a couple of 4-foot dry waterfalls on our way to a spectacular view of Shelter Valley.

Meet at the entrance to Mine Wash Road, right off the pavement 2.7 miles east of Tamarisk Grove intersection on Highway 78. Bring water, snack, study footwear, and a hat.

No charge, but call the Nature Center to reserve.

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Dec. 11, Thurs., 8 a.m.,
Beginning Bird Walk

Meet leader David Lasley at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort. Bring binoculars, bird book, water, walking shoes.

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

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Dec. 12, Fri., 10 a.m.
Desert Gardeners Meeting

Dec. 12, Fri., 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Meet at the Seley Ranch for discussion of citrus growing.

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Dec. 13, Sat., 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Design a Gourd, One-of-a-Kind Gift
Instructor: Gourd Artist Sally Rosen

Make a handmade gift for someone special or make a Christmas gourd for yourself. Select and prepare a gourd to stain, paint, wood-burn, or carve. Learn to design freehand, or with stencil or carbon paper, and to apply the design on the gourd. Add embellishments as you decide (okay to bring).

Wear old clothes, bring lunch, snacks and water. Class limited to 7 adults (older teens okay). Call the Nature Center to reserve. Class meets at Sally's Just Gourdgeous Studio in The Center Shopping Center. NM $60; M $55.

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Dec. 13, Sat., 10 a.m.
Borrego Rock & Gem Club

New members and those interested in joining BRAG, the local rock club, are encouraged to attend. Find out about the upcoming educational programs, trips and meetings for the 2009 season. Jim Havens, president. Meets at the Nature Center.

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Dec. 18, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Beginning Bird Walk

See Dec. 11 description.

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Dec. 21, Sun., 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Winter Solstice Hike: Hellhole Canyon to Maidenhair Falls
Leader: Michael Wangler, Professor of Geography, Cuyamaca College

Winter Solstice has long been a day of celebration around the world as it not only marks the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year, but also ushers in the beginning of a new solar year. It's a time for reflection and celebration, and it's also a great time of year for a hike in the desert! Join us on the Solstice for a 6-mile round-trip hike to Maidenhair Falls in Hellhole Canyon.

Wear cool-weather clothes and hiking boots; bring water and lunch. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Hellhole Canyon Trailhead parking lot on Hwy. S-22, just west of Borrego Springs. No charge; call for reservations at the Nature Center.

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Dec. 27, Sat., 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Hike: Box Canyon in the Mecca Hills, "The Grottos"
Leader: Interpretive Guide Joe Migliore

You will love this delightful, easy-to-moderate 5-mile round-trip hike with a little mystery in the darkness! Boulders have tumbled into and blocked the narrow canyon, leaving only dark passageways. It's sandy and short, but very dark-bring a flashlight! The hike to and from the grottos takes us along high barren ridges with great views, and broad sandy washes amid towering, colorful cliffs.

From Painted Canyon Road sign, head north on Box Canyon Rd 5.0 miles to Sheep Hole Oasis signpost on right side of road. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen, and flashlight. Leader Joe Migliore is a certified interpretive guide and holds a degree in zoology from UCLA. Reservations required. NM: $14; M: $12; V: $10.

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Dec. 27, Sat., 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Passive Solar Architecture
Speaker: Deborah Sperberg
(note location)

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? Hear how to retrofit an existing house to cut electric bills and increase comfort.

Held at the Borrego Springs Public Library at the east end of The Mall. No charge, no reservations.

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Dec. 28, Sun., 9 a.m. - Noon 4WD
Hike: The Slot
Leader: Joan Malone

A great hike for families! This moderate 2.5 mile loop hike starts from the parking area at the end of Buttes Pass Road. We will walk along a dirt road and reach Borrego Mountain Wash via the "Dropoff", a one-way 4WD route that descends into the wash. Once in the wash, we will follow it to a narrowing canyon that takes us to a wonderful slot. Bring water, snack, hiking shoes.

Meet at Buttes Pass Road, north side of Hwy 78 approx. 2 miles east of intersection with Borego Springs Road and 78. Recommend 4WD or high clearance vehicles. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

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View from Pinyon Ridge above Grapevine Canyon

Dec. 30, Tue., 9 a.m. - Noon
4WD Tour of Grapevine Canyon
Leader: Volunteer Deborah Sperberg

Spend the morning exploring Grapevine Canyon, which follows the southern edge of Pinyon Ridge and contains several springs that flow into San Felipe Creek. Stop at Angelina Springs, an important Indian village site, and possibly a second spring.

Meet at the north side of Christmas Circle. Bring ample gas, water, and a snack. Limit 8 4WD vehicles, please be willing to carpool. Call for reservations at the Nature Center and mention if you need a ride.

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