Santa Fe Dam Nature Center March 2013 Newsletter E Arrow Highway Irwindale, CA San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy

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1 Breakfast Was a Hit By Frank Bronzeagle Ayala The Volunteer Breakfast was a hit. It had been delayed one week due to the weather. Not even the rain that postponed the Volunteer Breakfast could damper the spirit of the Volunteers. There was a nature walk before breakfast was served led by Dr. Ann Croissant. There were 18 in the group. After the walk everyone was beaming with pride as Cub Scout Pack 482 (as shown in the photo on the right from Glendora) raised the colors and led the group with The Pledge of Allegiance. Then the group was served some mouthwatering pancakes made from a secret recipe. These were prepared by Norma Ayala. Sausages and eggs were prepared by Richard Montijo. Andy Salas Chairman of the Kizh Nation Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians gave a short oral history of the Santa Fe Dam and the village of Asucsagna. Nadine Salas Vice Chair sang the Welcome Song while Matt Teutimez (Tribal Biologist) played the Flute. The Nature Center was given a blessing and the Four Directions Prayer was given by Chief Ernie Perez Salas Teutimez and burned the ceremonial sage. There was a poetry reading that was open to all ages. The readers were from the age of 7 up to 56. It was a great time had by all. ~ Unique Partnership Project of San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy & San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District Receives 3M Eco Grant The San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy (SGMRC) & San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) were thrilled to be awarded a $32,000 3M Eco Grant to enhance outreach and education programs available to school groups and families visiting the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area and Nature Center. 1

2 Geocaching is a "real-world, outdoor treasure hunt" where participants use GPS-enabled devices or smart phones to navigate to physical cache locations. Earth Caches are similar in concept but purely educational in nature. Using this technology, T2N will build upon the recently developed Santa Fe Dam Basin Concept Trail Plan and encourage visitors to explore the Recreation area's unique habitat and learn about its endangered species and geologic and cultural history. Through the process, participants will learn that public health is inexorably linked to environmental health and become better stewards of our lands. The SGMRC, formed in 1997, is a nationally recognized, all volunteer organization dedicated to habitat preservation and restoration and fostering watershed stewardship through education. Formed to bridge the gap between more than a dozen local conservancies, the SGMRC provides a regional, watershed-scale approach and often partners with other entities to further these goals. The SGVMVCD is a public health special district dedicated to protecting public health in the San Gabriel Valley. A unique partnership between the two agencies has built upon the strengths and goals of both entities to connect the region's youth to a healthier environment, and led to the creation of this one-of-a-kind T2N educational opportunity. Dr. Ann Croissant, President, Board of Directors of SGMRC summarized impacts of the grant partnership in this way, "The timing, topics, and location for T2N will provide a new and signature curriculum resource delivery system for the greater San Gabriel Valley, home of more than 3 million people. Taking technology to nature in the crossroads of the Valley brings together exciting new possibilities for multifaceted life to health to watershed learning s now possible for diversified groups as well as individuals. Limitless benefits!" 3M Community Giving is awarding $400,000 to nine environmental organizations with its 2012 Eco Grants, which are aimed at improving sciencebased environmental and conservation education for youth. Since 2001, 3M's environmental giving program has invested more than $17 million in sustainability initiatives as part of the company's vision of improving every life. 2

3 Welcome to the Nature Center The unique Nature Center is constructed of local river stone. Inside are a small museum, live snake exhibit (snakes of the area), a rolling bookstore (so passer-byers can see the books outside) a reference Library and displays of local plants, animals, insects and rocks. Also a local habitat paintings, historical memorabilia/artifacts and watershed models add to the learning experience. Outside the building are native plant gardens, ethnobotany gardens, tribal gathering circle, plus trails. Rules Volunteers Needed Visitors need to stay on the trail at all times Bicycle riding is prohibited on the trail Natural areas are protected not to be disturbed: Flowers, plants, shrubs, rocks Volunteers play an essential role in the Natural Area of the Santa Fe Dam County Park. Volunteers educate the public about nature. If you want to help preserve the environment and promote conservation, we offer a multitude of opportunities. Monthly Events March 2: 10am Guided Nature walk led by Naturalist Thomas Chang March 9: 10am Talk on the plants of the Nature Center given by Dr. Ann Croissant March 16: 8am A guided Bird Walk March 23: 10am Habitat Rangers a hands on craft project led by Nancy Begg March 30: 10am Spring Buggy Day. Stop by and see what is Bugging the Nature Center. Taught by Terry Young. NATURE CENTER HOURS Monday to Friday Saturday Sunday 10am to 2pm 8am to 3pm 11am to 2pm 3

4 Plants Are Blooming By Frank Bronzeagle Ayala If you step out of the Nature Center Building you can see the wonderful colors that nature had offered up for us to enjoy. Golden Currant is the earliest to bloom. Here at the Santa Fe Dam Nature Center it started middle of January the yellow flowers started showing up. Now by the middle of February there are many that are blooming. The berries of Golden Currant are eaten by many birds, such as Scrub-Jay, Spotted Towhee, Swainson's Thrush, and Western Bluebird. Hummingbirds also sip the nectar. You can see this plant from the Nature Center building, however to get a better idea of its beauty take a relaxing walk on the nature trail. If you go early in the morning you might be able to see the birds or hear them. Another plant along the nature trail is the Purple Nightshade. The color of the flower gravitates you to stop and take a closer look. The fruits and seeds of nightshade are eaten by a number of birds, including California Thrasher, Spotted Towhee, Western Bluebird, and Golden-crowned Sparrow and are poisonous to humans. 4

5 Masterpiece Finished By Frank Bronzeagle Ayala These are before and after photos (Carol Anne Hagele) of a dead oak tree that is on the northside of the Park Headquarters Building. This was created by Chainsaw artist Stacy Poitras who creates lifelike art using a chainsaw. This is an Osprey with a Trout in its talons. The Osprey comes from the diurnal birds of prey and had a hooked bill and very strong talons. The Osprey usually nests near fresh water and eats mostly fish. The Osprey will hover above water dives down then plunges feet first to snatch its prey as shown in the sculpture. Stacy Poitras did a magnificent capturing this and bringing to life a dead oak tree. 5

6 The SCIENCE & WATER TRAILER will be on the road to classrooms in the area soon! To schedule your visit in March or April, contact SGMRC now! ( For more information or to request a registration form contact: San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy SGMRC- P.O. Box 963, Glendora, CA glcroissant@csupomona.edu Co-sponsored by SGMRC and Glendora Conservancy Make your plans now for this scientifically, environmentally, fun, creative, innovative approach to learning with real science for kids (from 4 to 94)! $50/ presentation made payable to SGMRC Mobile Science Project. 6