MRT Offers Senior Naturalist Classes

From Mountains Restoration Trust

Nature 101 was a hit and fun was had by all participants!  The weather was beautiful and the walk around the Headwaters Corner showcased some of the early signs of spring. Come and learn more about the Santa Monica Mountains!  Here is a listing of the rest of the classes in the Senior Naturalist Series.

Seed Propagation
February 7, 2012
10:00 am -12:00 pm
Founder’s Hall, City of Calabasas Civic Center
200 Civic Center Way, Calabasas

An introduction to seed propagation methods will be the subject of a two hour workshop led by Tom Hayduk, Restoration Specialist, Mountains Restoration Trust.  Topics to be discussed during the workshop will include seed collection, seed cleaning, and storage, treatments to overcome seed dormancy and seed sowing of plant species native to the Santa Monica Mountains.  The workshop will be hands-on, and participants will help clean and sow seed into flats.  The fee is $10.00 fee per person.

Birds
February 21, 2012
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mountains Restoration Trust at Headwaters Corner, Calabasas
Meets at the historical Masson House
23075 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas

Out of all the animals that live in these mountains, the ones you will be sure to see are the birds.  Come join us and find out what makes a bird a bird.  We will see the local birds that live here year-round and the migratory birds that are just passing through on their incredible journey from one country or state to another.  The males will be in their breeding colors frequently calling for a mate while others are defending their territory.   We will have binoculars to lend but if you have your own please bring them.  There is a $10.00 fee per person.

Cuttings Propagation Workshop
March 6, 2012
10 am – 12:00 pm
Founder’s Hall, City of Calabasas Civic Center
200 Civic Center Way, Calabasas

An introductory workshop covering propagation by cuttings will be the topic of this class.  Basic cutting propagation methods will be discussed, and participants will help prepare  stick cuttings of native species collected on MRT open space land in the Santa Monica Mountains.  Species to be propagated may include sticky monkey flower, crimson-flowered pitcher sage and woolly blue curls.  There is a $10.00 fee per person.

Native American Culture
March 20, 2012
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Mountains Restoration Trust at Headwaters Corner, Calabasas
Meets at the historical Masson House
23075 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas

Come and join us as we learn about the Native American Indians that lived in the

Santa Monica Mountains.  These clever people had a use for just about anything natural as they lived comfortably in the Santa Monica Mountains for thousands of years.  There will be a walk about and discussion on the use of different native plants, rocks, bones, etc. and how they cared for the land.  There is a $10.00 fee per person.

Cold Creek Valley Preserve Walk-About
March 27, 2012
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Founder’s Hall, City of Calabasas Civic Center
200 Civic Center Way, Calabasas

We will visit the majestic Cold Creek Valley Preserve.  Beside a pristine creek, beneath oaks and other streamside trees, we will stroll by shrubs, plants and flowers as the birds chatter around us and the stream sings it’s soothing chorus.  Come enjoy the lovely serenity of this very special place.  We will take a 10 minute shuttle ride to Cold Creek Valley Preserve followed by a short drive to the top of the ridge for a spectacular view of our preserve and the mountains beyond.

Space is limited.  Reservations are required.  The classes are offered through the City of Calabasas Community Services Department and are listed in the Calabasas Recreation Brochure.  To register, visit http://com3.govtsystems.com/ResPcalabasas/?Common/Home.

For more information, call Susan Haugland at 818-591-1701 ext. 212.