Our March 2009 activities and events include:

Mar. 1, Sun., 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Design a Gourd for Your Pleasure
Instructor: Gourd Artist Sally Rosen

Make a beautiful, handmade gift or keepsake. 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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Mar. 2, Mon., 8 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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Mar. 2, Mon., 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Hike: Bitter Creek Loop Hiking
Leader: Robin Halford

Guidebook author Robin Halford guides experienced hikers 6.5 miles exploring a drainage system NE of Grapevine Mountain. Includes sandy washes, boulders, many dry waterfalls, thick vegetation, uneven walking surfaces, and several very steep and rocky ascents and descents-as well as wonderful views from the top of the ridge. Hiking boots and long pants suggested; bring lunch, water, hat and sunscreen.

Meet at the beginning of the Grapevine Canyon jeep road on the right/north side of Hwy 78, 2.6 miles west of Tamarisk Grove intersection. We will drive for 2 miles on the jeep road to the trailhead. 4WD suggested, but not required. No charge; call to reserve.

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Mar. 5, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
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.

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Ocotillo

Mar. 7, Saturday
ABDNHA Native Plant Show & Sale
9 a.m to 4 p.m.

* Over 75 desert plants displayed
* Huge sale of native plants (1 & 5 gal.)
* Experts to answer your questions
* Local citrus
* Solar cooking (at Noon)
* Native American uses of desert plants
* Silent Auction

SPECIAL WALKS & PROGRAMS
(Space limited for walks and classes. For information and reservations, please call the Nature Center at (760) 767-3098.)

9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Native Plant Walks
Leader: Linda King
Sign up for one of two walks led by Volunteer Naturalist Linda King for an introduction to the local native flora. Easy walking. No charge, space is limited; call the Nature Center for reservations.

9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Outdoor Display of Native American Plant Uses
Presented by: Naturalist Marge Hatcher
Outdoor exhibit. No charge.

9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Information Table
Landscape expert Morgan Vondrak,available for questions, no charge.

10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Class: Landscaping with California Natives, Design and Care,
Presented by Greg Rubin
ABDNHA members: $12;Nonmembers $14; Volunteers $10.
Call (760) 767-3098 to reserve.

Noon
Solar Cooking Demonstration
with solar cookbook author Eleanor Shimeall
Outdoor demonstration. No charge.

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Planting and Propagating of Native Plants
with expert Horticulturist Bob Linstead
Members $25; Nonmembers $30; Volunteers $23.
Call (760) 767-3098 to reserve.

At the Borrego Desert Nature Center,
652 Palm Canyon Drive, one block west of Christmas Circle
Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (760) 767-3098

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Mar. 11, Wed., 9 a.m. - noon
Walk: Follow the Flowers
Leaders: Volunteer Naturalists Mary Ekelund and Paul Larson

Come prepared to find March flowers! We'll drive on dirt roads and walk in the desert. Bring water, hat, and walking shoes.

Meet at the Nature Center from where we can carpool if necessary. No charge; call to reserve.

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Mar. 12, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
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.

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Mar. 13, Fri., 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Desert Gardeners Meeting

Meet at the covered pavilion at Christmas Circle for a special presentation by the Coachella Water District. Bring chairs.

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Mar. 14, Sat., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Geology Workshop: "60 Million Years in 60 Minutes"

Join Geology Professor Carole Ziegler for an introduction to the geologic history of Southern California from the coast to the Salton Sea.

Held in the ABDNHA Library. Call the Nature Center to reserve. NM $15; M $12; V $10. See related field trip on Mar. 15.

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Mar. 14, Sat., 8 p.m.
Stargazing Program
Presenters: Astronomer Dr. Jim and Grace Rickard

Telescopes provided for observing our clear desert skies. View the rings of Saturn. See the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula. Identify the best of the winter constellations - Orion the hunter and his dogs, Taurus the bull with his girlfriends the Pleiades. Bring binoculars (if you have them), warm clothes, chairs and flashlights.

Sponsored by ABDNHA, no charge or reservations necessary for this excellent program.

Takes place at the Borrego Lutheran Church, located on Church Lane. For directions, please call the Nature Center, 760/767-3098. Canceled in case of cloud cover.

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Mar. 15, Sun., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Geology Field Workshop

Following Geology Professor Carole Ziegler's class on Saturday, we explore Fish Creek Wash up through Split Mountain. Examine the folding and faulting of the area and see the sediments that have been deposited over time. For those interested, we will hike to the misnamed wind caves. High clearance 4WD required.

Meet at the Nature Center from where we will carpool. Bring water, hat, lunch, notepad. No charge for field trip; reservations required. See related class on Mar 14.

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Pictograph

Mar. 15, Sun., 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Talk: Petroglyphs and Pictographs
Speaker: Valerie Thomas

Anyone with a fascination for petroglyphs and pictographs (rock art) won't want to miss an afternoon with Val Thomas, environmental professional, ABDNHA member and rock art aficionado. Come join Val at the ABDNHA library as she shares her favorite area rock art locations, along with the history, methods, and meanings surrounding Mojave Desert rock art. Her presentation will conclude with information on rock art documentation and graffiti mitigation and removal techniques. Call the Nature Center for reservations. NM $10, M $8, V $6.

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Mar. 19, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
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.

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Monkey Flowers, Grapevine Canyon

Mar. 21, Sat., 9 a.m. - noon
4WD Tour of Grapevine Canyon
Leader: Volunteer Naturalist Deborah Sperberg

Explore Grapevine Canyon, which follows the southern edge of Pinyon Ridge and contains several springs that flow into San Felipe Creek. We will stop at Angelina Springs, an important Indian village site, and possible a second spring.

Meet at the north side of Christmas Circle. Bring ample gas, 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.

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Mar. 21, Sat., 1 - 3 p.m.
Spring Flower Walk
Leader: Botanist Cathy Rose

Explore a flower "hot spot" in the Borrego Springs area with botanist Cathy Rose. Prepare for an easy walk; wear good walking shoes; bring a hat, water, and a camera.

Meet at the Nature Center. No charge; call to reserve. (Repeats 3/22 and 3/28.)

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Mar. 22, Sun., 9 - 11 a.m.
Spring Flower Walk
Leader: Botanist Cathy Rose

This is a repeat of Saturday's program.

Explore a flower "hot spot" in the Borrego Springs area with botanist Cathy Rose. Prepare for an easy walk; wear good walking shoes; bring a hat, water, and a camera.

Meet Botanist Cathy Rose at the Nature Center. No charge; call to reserve.

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Mar. 26, Thurs., 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
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.

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Gander's Cholla

Mar. 27, Fri., 7:30 p.m.
ABDNHA 37th Annual Desert Lecture Series
CACTI, AGAVES AND YUCCAS OF CALIFORNIA
Botanist and Author Stephen Ingram

This exquisite multimedia presentation explores some of the unique attributes of the cacti, agaves, and yuccas and highlights what makes them such intriguing components of our native plant communities. Stephen is the author and photographer of a beautiful new book by the same name. Author book signing reception in lobby following the program.

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. Call (760) 767-3098 for information. Book signing and refreshments in the lobby following the program.

See walk on March 28 to identify local cacti.

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Horse Canyon

Mar. 28, Sat., 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Hike Horse Canyon: Voices from the Past
Co-leaders: Reena Deutsch and Michael Madrigal

All-day guided hike in Horse Canyon, one of the wild washes that drain into the northern reaches of Coyote Canyon. Michael, a member of the Mountain Cahuilla, is our guide through the canyon that was the site of his great-grandfather's village of Natcuta. He'll point out native plants used for food, medicine, and basketry. Our approach to the canyon will be down a very steep and rocky 1.5-mile dirt road, which will take 2-3 hours to climb up at the end of the day, so you must be fit. Total miles hiked: 6-8 miles. Bring water, lunch, snacks, sun protection, and hiking boots. High-clearance vehicle required.

Meet in Anza at the Cahuilla Creek Casino parking lot nearest the lot entrance at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Directions: From Borrego Springs, drive up Montezuma Grade (S22), turn right at S2, then turn right at Route 79. In Aguanga, turn right at the stop sign onto Route 371. The casino is approx. 11 miles further on the south side of Route 371. Limited to 15 people. No charge; call the Nature Center for reservations.

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Mar. 28, Sat., 1 - 3 p.m.
Spring Flower Walk

Explore a flower "hot spot" in the Borrego Springs area with botanist Cathy Rose. Prepare for an easy walk; wear good walking shoes; bring a hat, water, and a camera.

Meet Botanist Cathy Rose at the Nature Center, 1 p.m. No charge; call to reserve.

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Mar. 29, Sunday
ABDNHA 11th Desert Garden Tour
9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

Tour four private gardens in Borrego Springs, plus a 5th “Bonus Garden”!

DESERT JUNGLE: Surround yourself in this hideaway of mature trees and native shrubs. Enclosed and protected space creates a birding and wildlife haven encircling a charming, traditional desert home. Chance sightings of a roosting owl, colorful spring migrants, or tropical toucan.

HIDDEN LANE: Enjoy true desert specimen plants in all their glory. See for yourself how beautiful desert landscaping can be and how it blends from garden to wild desert in an easy, natural transition.

DESERT EXPANSE: Amazing desert vistas surround this Indian Head Ranch garden with 360-degree views of mountains and valley. A xeriscape putting green and 75-foot lap pool are elements of garden hardscape designed for entertaining and outdoor living at its best.

MEDITATION GARDEN: See what can be created in a small garden of intimate spaces and true calm and beauty. Water and floral features create internal views and colorful vignettes that await you here.

A BONUS GARDEN: School children anticipate your visit to their organic vegetable garden.

For tickets call or visit the Borrego Desert Nature Center: 760-767-3098, located at 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Email: naturecenter@att.net

ABDNHA Members $14; Nonmembers $18; Volunteers $12
Early-bird Special: Purchase tickets by March 14 and save $2 per ticket!

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