Dear Members, Donors and Friends,
The recent rains have brought more wildflowers to the Reserve. We hope their ephemeral beauty brings you joy on your walks and hikes along the trails of the Reserve.
We have a few joyous event announcements for you today and we hope to see you at one (or more!) of our upcoming events.
Sincerely,
-Your Torrey Pines Conservancy
Wildflower Walk
Celebrate the spring season with an interpretive hike through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Led by wildflower expert and Docent Margaret Fillius, participants will observe and learn about flowering trees and ephemeral wildflowers in bloom. Space is limited and participants must register here.
Saturday, April 16, 9:30 am, TPSNR Upper Reserve, West Parking Lot, Margaret Fillius
"A Greatness of Spirit"
This evening will bring you wonderful stories from Dave van Cleve’s book A Greatness of Spirit. Dave, a current Torrey Pines Conservancy Board member, had a thirty-two year career with California State Parks as a park ranger, park ecologist, and park superintendent. Dave will read from this inspiring collection of personal stories of California park rangers. Each hero has made an impact on the land and has created change. Book signing after the reading.
Saturday, May 7, 5:30 pm, at the Children’s Pavilion at the Upper Reserve.
Earth Day Celebration
Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This year, at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, we’ll celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 23. The event will feature a wide array of nature-related activities and displays. including children’s crafts and activities, guided walks, exhibits, live reptiles, Kumeyaay cultural sharing, and more. Part of the event will be a used book sale. The celebration will also include a beach cleanup sponsored by I Love a Clean San Diego.
Come by our Torrey Pines Conservancy booth and say hello. We would love to see you. April 23, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the Upper Reserve, in front of the Lodge/ Visitor Center.
Bird Count
On a recent Saturday in March, a group of avid hikers set out to explore the early morning birds near Torrey Pines. On their 1.5 mile hike along the Sorrento Valley Ponds, they discovered 30 different species. Many of them are climate threatened or endangered.
Here’s the list: Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Mourning Dove, White-throated Swift, Allen’s Hummingbird, American Coot, Western Gull, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, White-faced Ibis, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Black Phoebe, Hutton’s Vireo, American Crow, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bushtit, Wrentit, California Gnatcatcher, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Hooded Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s), and Wilson’s Warbler.
Wine in the Pines is back!
This fall we are bringing back one of our favorite events: Wine in the Pines.
On Saturday, October 15, we’ll be offering delicious wine and beer and authentic Italian food outdoors behind the historic Lodge up at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Join us, sip a glass of wine beneath the pines, listen to live music, enjoy art and meet new friends and old. Tickets for this event will go on sale soon.
Nature Discovery Series: All about Eggs
“All About Eggs” by Barbara Wallach and Kathy Dickey. Come see all the variations of eggs in our natural world (and in our Reserve!). Quail eggs, Hummingbird eggs, California Gnatcatcher eggs, Wrentit eggs, Bell’s Vireo eggs… The list is endless. Suitable for families with children.
Saturday, May 21, 3:00 pm at the Children’s Pavilion behind the Visitor Center/Lodge
“Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World”
Join Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California’s Natural Resources Secretary, in the run-up to Earth Day for a special conversation with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and author. In her recent best-selling book, “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World”, Hayhoe shares how all Americans can engage in combating climate change and how to maintain hope amidst the climate crisis. Secretary Crowfoot will discuss with Dr. Hayhoe how to build momentum for climate action.
April 13, 1:30 pm- 2:30 pm.