Close to Home

Exploring Nature's Treasures in the EastBay

INFORMATION

If you 

• enjoy being in nature but don't have "enough time" for this pleasure.

• return to a few favorite spots rather than venture out to new places.

• would like to learn more about the extravaganza of wildlife all around us,

then we recommend you consider this program.

 ***

Close to Home is based on the idea that knowing the unique and wondrous natural features of the East Bay is essential to belonging to our home place. Our program is designed to acquaint you with these features and to deepen your understanding of how they connect to form a living system. We offer participants a big picture overview of our local ecology and then make visits to sites that exemplify key aspects of the east Bay's ecological story.

 This unique program launched on April 7, 2003.  The sixth season began in May,  2008. We're teaming up with some of the East Bay's most knowledgeable naturalists, experts and teachers to present a series of 10 evening public talks and 11 Saturday outings that will weave together information about local wildlife.  (No talk or trip in December.) A closing hike and party in April. The adults who participate in our program form a "learning community" that stays together for the whole year's program of talks and  field trips. See Schedule.

If you would like more information, please email Cindy Spring at spring5@mindspring.com or call her at 510-655-6658.

A SAMPLE OF OUR OUTINGS FROM 2003-4:

                 --  A loop hike through Morgan Territory--a rugged part of the inner Coast Range foothills to the east of Mt. Diablo--through one of the least disturbed  natural  areas in the East Bay. Its many microhabitats support  oak woodland, streamside riparian woodland, rolling grasslands, and drought adapted chaparral.  We'll learn how and why plants are adapted to each community and savor native trees and spring flowers along our route.

                --  A visit to the 2000 year-old Tuibun Ohlone Village site at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. where park staff and volunteers have built houses and ramadas in the style of early-day Ohlone structures.  We'll examine objects removed by archeologists from the site and learn how the Ohlones interacted with their habitat to sustain their lives.  While at the park we'll also tour a delightful garden specially planted to attract butterflies. Below is a picture of the boardwalk going to the village site.

JOIN A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS WHO SHARE A LOVE OF NATURE, WHO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM TOGETHER, AND WHO REFLECT AS A GROUP ON WHAT THEY SEE AND LEARN.  CLOSE TO HOME IS PLEASED TO HAVE  BAY NATURE MAGAZINE, THE  OAKLAND MUSEUM of CALIFORNIA, LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM, ECOSTEWARDS OF MONTCLAIR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND  EARTHLIGHT AS CO-SPONSORS OF THIS PROGRAM

HOW TO APPLY: The application process for the 2008 - 2009 program is open. You can also email us if you would like to be notified of the monthly talks or be an "extra" on a field trip. Select Application

A program fee of $375 includes 11  Saturday field trips, 10 Monday evening talks, plus an orientation and a party, and all site fees. Fee also includes a notebook of relevant readings and resources for each outing.  $125 is due upon acceptance to the program with installments of $125 due in May, and balance in June.  (In special cases we may be able to arrange an alternative payment schedule). 

.

Co-Sponsors:

Oakland Museum of California

Lindsay Wildlife Museum

Close to Home
3758 Grand Ave. #38
Oakland, CA  94610
Cindy Spring 510-655-6658