Stargazing and Sunspot viewing Our first Stargazing Event was held at Santa Fe Dam Nature Center. The telescopes were up before the sun went down. Tokuo Nakamoto brought his scope and placed it in front of the Nature Center. Tokuo started educating anyone that was interested. Giving them a chance to see the Sunspots first hand. Sunspots appear as dark spots on the surface of the Sun. Temperatures in the dark centers of sunspots drop to about 3700 K (compared to 5700 K for the surrounding photosphere). They typically last for several days, although Figure i Tokuo Nakamoto explaining sunspots to Norma Ayala very large ones may live for several weeks. Sunspots are magnetic regions on the Sun with magnetic field strengths thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. Sunspots usually come in groups with two sets of spots. One set will have positive or north magnetic field while the other set will have negative or south magnetic field. The field is strongest in the darker parts of the sunspots - the umbra. The field is weaker and more horizontal in the lighter part - the penumbra. Later on in the afternoon Todd Kunioka of The Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers along with Tom Traeger positioned their telescopes to view the Sunspots and later in the evening the Moon as well as Jupiter and its moons. 1
Top Photos shows Todd Kunioka setting up his telescope to see the Sunspots. Middle photo Todd is setting up his second telescope for viewing Jupiter and the Moon. Bottom left photo is Cub Pack 114. They stopped by to see the Sunspots and the night events. Lower right is Tom Traeger almost done setting up his telescopes to view Jupiter in the eastern horizon and is moons. The second scope was placed to view the Moon. We want to thank both Tom and Todd for bringing out their telescopes for the enjoyment of those that attended. 2
The Diaz, Rodriguez and Ramirez Families stopped in the Santa Fe Dam Nature while on their bike ride. The little ones enjoyed a few minutes of coloring. Stop by and visit our family friendly Nature Center. Stop by and see the live snake exhibit. Also take a close up look at the insects found in the San Gabriel Valley using a magnifying glass. Volunteers Needed! Volunteers play an essential role in the Natural Area of Santa Fe Dam County Park, operating the Nature Center, educating about nature and serving the public. If you want to help preserve the environment and promote conservation, we offer a multitude of opportunities to volunteer. Please email Thomas Chang at tchang65@gmail.com for volunteer info. 3
An Early Visitor The Common Sunflower blooms from February to October. This photo was taken on Jan 3 rd 2014. The head of the sunflower is made up of many tiny flowers. On the flower head each yellow petal is a ray flower and each tiny brown flower is a disk flower. The Common Sunflower is attractive to a number of seed-eaters, such as Song Sparrow, House Finch, and Mourning Dove, as well as Northern Flicker, because of its large, nutritious seeds. This photo was taken in front of the Nature Center. Stop by and see the wonderful sights of the Santa Fe Dam Nature Center. Caught in Flight The Western Scrub Jay was heading towards the ground where it spotted something. They are non-migratory, but when food crops fail in the foothills, they will move into the lowlands. They gather their food on the ground and in trees and store most of it for a later date. Both sexes of the pair will build the nest, made of grass, twigs, moss, and hair that forms a thick-walled cup. Both sexes also feed the young. 4
Colby Fire By Dr Ann Croissant President of San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy It's been more than a grueling and heart-wrenching past few days for the Conservancies, an overwhelming loss of almost half the watershed properties. The Colby Trail and properties was the very first watershed property investment made by the Glendora Conservancy (GC) of the nonprofit, all volunteer conservancies and land trusts of the San Gabriel Valley. GC purchased the property with grant funds and managed, stewarded the property and trail for more than two decades.. The most recent tally of fire damage land assessments (which protect our native water supplies for Glendora and the region) totaled 350 acres lost/gone/ toast of the 700 acres of Conservancy-owned watershed properties in the San Gabriel Foothills Corridor. The Conservancies (Glendora Conservancy and San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy) are back to square one, but not without hope. The losses of wildlife, plant communities, endangered species, and natural resources are immeasurable and uncountable. Operation Phoenix for watershed lands recovery is already in motion. When the First Responders leave, the Conservancies already have the promise of recovery and renewal with commitment and promise of the CCC/LACFD, Azusa Pacific University, University of La Verne, and regional teachers and professors offering to help with fire ecology research, student projects, Scouts, rehabilitation, and recovery/restoration projects. The second phase of responders is already in motion and we invite all to participate in some way to be included in Operation Phoenix - rising from the ashes. It also should be pointed out with thankfulness that one of the miracles of the Colby Fire has been the Children's Forest Project spared from the fires burning right up to the boundaries of this restoration project of more than a hundred oaks planted in October 2013. Our next planting and invitation to all to be a part is set for Saturday/ February 1. Help is needed to bring our watersheds back to life, capturing and storing water for springs, wells, streams, and lakes in the region. Stay aware of restoration activities, workshops, and events by staying in touch with the Children's Forest Facebook/ Glendora Conservancy website, and Facebook / SGMRC and SGMRC website. The message of the Conservancies is, We are here, counting the cost, planning for the future, and the dream continues." 5
iicolby Trail Jan 2013 and Jan 2014 after the fire 6
Children s Forest Phase II Launching this February 1st, 2014 @ 9AM. Parking will be on Saga Street (east and west sides off Loraine Ave in Glendora) Will you be part of our youth s future? Volunteers needed, please reach out! Email me at kristina@bejaranoagency.com to help out before even or just show up on Saturday at 9:00AM, to help out when you can, and plan to show up Saturday. We will be planting our second phase of over 300 Natives during our Second Phase and will have our final phase to follow November 1, 2014. We will begin planting Phase II of over 300 natives to be followed by Phase III, the final phase of the restoration project with a special celebration on Saturday/ November 1, 2014. Plan now to be at these and other restoration projects and events. Our goals and opportunities are endless: Conservation/ Wildlife/ Youth/ Unity. We need help spreading the word to help plant and getting as many volunteers the day of our event to help plant all our Native Plants. Local and regional businesses are invited to help sponsor and host these planting and restoration events. Request a Children's Forest Poster for your store and business windows. You will love the Children's Forest Video on Facebook - takes you to the Colby Trail and Children's Forest. Please share this and contact me should you like to be more involved! Contact Kristina @ 626-857-0800 for any information kristina@bejaranoagency.com 7
EVENTS! Glendora Nature Center Saturday February 1, 2014 9am Hosting Children s Forest. Additional information on Page 7. Come by and lend a hand. Santa Fe Dam Nature Center Saturday February 1, 2014 CLOSED Saturday February 8, 2014 10am Nature Walk. Come join us and see the Golden Currants as they have started blooming as well as other plants Saturday February 15, 2014 8am Bird Walk. Allow yourself one of nature s pleasures of listening to the birds as they sing. Saturday February 22, 2014 10am Habitat Rangers. Become a Habitat Ranger and explore the great outdoors. Visit local nature centers, beaches, mountains, rivers and lakes. Camp in the nearby forests, deserts and sandy beaches. Get involved in community habitat projects. Gather with other children and have fun learning about nature in your backyard habitat! 8
EVENTS Con t Galster Park Nature Center Saturday Feb 1, 2014 Crafts from 1pm to 3pm. If you have any questions you can email us at galster.park@gmail.com for more information By Dorothee Monsterleet-Galaz A group of Girl Scouts visited Galster Park in January. The group was taken on a Nature Walk and was then given a tour of the Nature Center. The girls were hoping to be able to spot insects, but native to Southern California), and Privet (non- Native). Unfortunately critters were hard to fine given the warm and dry weather. However, it was a good time to look at some of the plants that are currently blooming at the park, such as Toyon, and the Lemonade Berry. 9
The 2014 Calendar Flowers of the San Gabriel Valley Calendar is available. This high quality, educationally and artistically collectible. Calendar makes a great gift for nature lovers. The Calendar is SGMRC's main fundraising activity for the Santa Fe Dam Nature Center, Galster Park Nature Center, and Glendora Conservancy Nature Center. All proceeds from the sales of the Calendar will be used to fund Nature Center programs and education, plus feed migratory and resident birds, and live animals part of the Nature Center displays. Native plant, Ethnobotany and demonstration gardens also receive funds for enhancement and improvements. All of our Nature Centers are entirely operated by volunteers, donations, and fundraising projects. Your donations and support mean a lot in continuing our important nature activities and projects in the region for all age groups. Please support SGMRC's work and mission through your purchase of a Calendar today! The 2013 Wildlife Calendar is priced at $10 and available from the following places: SGMRC Office, Glendora (626) 335-1771 Santa Fe Dam Nature Center, Irwindale (626) 812-0935 Galster Nature Center, West Covina (626) 919-0715 Glendora Conservancy Nature Center (626) 335-1771 Powell Camera, Covina (626) 332-1253 OR send $10 per calendar requested by mail, and $5 shipping cost per calendar. SGMRC Calendar P.O. Box 963 Glendora, CA 91740 Please provide a shipping address and an Email. We will notify you when the calendar is shipped. 10
AROUND THE NATURE CENTERS Prickly Pear at Glendora Nature Center. Pinecone display at Galster Park Nature Center Rabbit proofing the Nevin s Barberry at Santa Fe Dam Nature Center. 11
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