Santa Fe Dam Nature Center School Tours. Frank Bronzeagle Ayala

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1 Santa Fe Dam Nature Center School Tours Frank Bronzeagle Ayala 2014 our Nature Center has been host to 386 students. During these tours the students are taught about flora, fauna and history of the area. Students learned how Golden Currant is an important food plant for birds and wildlife and a very adaptable plant for fire recovery and Restoration. During one school tour Colleen MacKay from Whittier Narrows brought her snakes 1Volunteer Norma Ayala teaching T. Edison students about snakes and Naomi a Red Tail Hawk. There were some of the tools that were used to teach the children that there is much more than TV. Photo 2 is out on the Nature Trail. 2Dr Ann giving a hands on class on Buckwheat seeds 1

2 Rattlesnakes in California CDFW Office of Communications, Education and Outreach As springtime calls people and snakes alike to the outdoors, encounters with snakes become inevitable. California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California s only native venomous snake - the rattlesnake. California rattlesnake species include the northern Pacific rattlesnake (in northern California), and the Western Diamondback, Sidewinder, Speckled rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake, Southern Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake (all found in Southern California). Though rattlesnakes are dangerous if provoked, they also provide humans with a tremendous service. They eat other predators, such as hawks and other raptors. In California, rattlesnakes are found from desert areas and to the mountains at elevations of more than 10,000 feet anywhere in California. Enjoying the outdoors means learning how to avoid contact with rattlesnakes. Generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles. Rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans on rare occasions. The California Poison Control Center notes that rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year with one to two deaths. Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors. About 25 percent of the bites are dry, meaning no venom was injected, but the bites still require medical treatment. The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors, but there are several precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten when out in snake country - which is just about anywhere in California. 2

3 GLENDORA ROCK ART with Rona Pangilinan Once again Rona has been instrumental in getting friends to try their hand in Rock Art. Here are more samples. If you would like to give this a try let us know. 3 Artist Emil Sano 4 Artist Eli Pangilinan 3

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5 Frank Ayala showing a group from Whittier the Dodder Plant. This was during a recent Nature Hike. Frank Ayala answering questions from the Whittier Group at the Indian Ceremonial Circle. 5

6 EVENTS SANTA FE DAM NATURE CENTER July 5, am 11am Nature Walk. Come and see all the flowers that are blooming. Join our nature walk and enjoy the beauty of our oasis. July 11, pm -7am Moonlight Fishing an extra date has been added! See the flyer on page 4 for more information July 12, am 11am Nature Walk. Bring your camera and a hat as you enjoy our Nature Center Trail. Stop by and see the variety of plants that are blooming. July 19, am 9am Bird Walk. Join us as we look at the skies and into the trees and bushes to seek the birds resident or visiting our area. Team Meeting at Galster Park June 25, pm 7am. Moonlight Fishing at Santa Fe Dam. Come try your luck or skill at fishing. GALSTER PARK NATURE CENTER July 5, pm 3pm Arts and Crafts Workshop. For more information, you can us at galster.park@gmail.com July 19, am- 10am Team Meeting Watershed Workshops, Forums, Speakers, Presentations, Projects If your neighborhood, group, or crew is interested in Watershed Workshops and/or Forums, as well as Water Conservation, Native Plant Gardens, and Habitat Restoration Projects, contact us to set up a Workshop or Training. Registration is required for workshops of Contact us to schedule Wildflowers of the Local Trails speakers and presentations, as well as Wildflower Walks (plus Weed Walks and presentations too). If you are one of the fortunate communities with a local conservancy or land trust, ask about the Regional Conservancies Roundtables & Projects Workshops by contacting glcroissant@csupomona.edu. 6