(click here for printable 2011 Talk Schedule)

TALK SCHEDULE

Close to Home presents: The Bigger Picture

May 9  Sibley's Round Top Volcano with Tom Tyler, science teacher, who gives us the volcano's view of changes in the Bay Area

June 6 A State of Change with Laura Cunningham, visionary of the past, who walks us through California's lost landscapes with. her oil paintings

July 11  Planet Quest: Are We Alone? with Ron Olowin, astronomer at St. Mary's College. Latest discoveries of extra-solar planets  

August 8 East Bay Puma Project with Zara McDonald, head of Felidae Fund. A mountain lion research and conservation effort to be launched in 2012.

Sept 12  Shellmounds with Dr. Kent Lightfoot, anthropologist UC Berkeley, on cultural history of Emeryville shellmound

Oct 3 A History of Fire in the East Bay with John Swanson, Asst Fire Chief (EBRPD) including native peoples' use of controlled fire

Nov 7  The San Antonio Forest with Todd Keeler-Wolf,  botanist, on the East Bay's ancient redwood forest before the 1860's clearcut

Dec- Vacation month – no talk

Jan 9, 2012 Bob Doyle (EBRPD) tells his story of 35 Years - Ranger to General Manager, from living in a cabin to managing 100,000 acres of parklands

Feb 6 The Evolution of Flowers with Chelsea Specht, UC Berkeley biologist, on why they showed up and why such diversity

March 5 Variety and Spice: The East Bay Parklands, a photo essay with photographer Stu Selland

No talk in April

($7 donation or buy the series of 10 talks for $50). They take place at Montclair Presbyterian Church Family Room in Oakland at 7:30 pm.

To purchase talk package, please email Cindy Spring at spring5@mindspring.com

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To apply for field trip series, please check Good Fit for You? and go to the Application You can choose a package of all 11 trips, or any 5-trip selection package

FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE

Close to Home presents: The Bigger Picture

Each field trip is on a Saturday, running from approximately from 9am-3pm, unless otherwise indicated. Bring your lunch and plan on a great time enjoying the out-of-doors and connecting with the amazing forms of life all around us

May 14  A Trail Through Time on Mt. Diablo led by naturalist Ken Lavin, The trail covers 180 million years of geologic history. We'll pass through the Age of Reptiles and the Age of Mammals. Shortened version will cover about 4 miles mostly downhill.

June 11  Jim Hale wildlife biologist, takes us on a hike through the natural and cultural history of early settllements in Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, considered within the traditional homeland of the Volvon tribe, one of five Native American nations in the Diablo area

July 16  Get a bigger picture of the East Bay from the Palo Alto Baylands with a local docent. Acres of restored wetlands are home to clapper rails, night herons, and lots of water birds. We'll hike along the Bay Trail, a 5-mile loop within the marsh.

Aug 13  In the heat of summer we’ll take a cool boat trip on the yacht Journey to the delta with naturalist Mike Moran. We'll explore the natural beauty and lore of this corner of California's Inland Coast. ($10 extra fee if you sign up for this one.)

Sept 17  Alan Leventhal is senior archeologist for the Ohlone Tribe based at Coyote Hills Regional Park. He'll be telling us about the 44,000 artifacts and the burial sites he's discovered in the earthmounds there. He'll also lead us on a hike around the park.

Oct 8 Ken Lavin was an interpretive ranger at Muir Woods in Marin for several years. He knows the back trails to the magnificent redwoods there. He'll take us along the Panoramic Trail for a 3-mile loop and show us the bat-filled tree. We'll avoid the Visitor Center.

Nov 12  There's nothing like a trip to the delta with Mike Moran. We'll board a private bus in Antioch and cruise to several sites where we can see sandhill cranes, snow geese and other visitors.

No December field trip

Jan 7, 2012  Over 40 varieties of mushrooms reside very close to home in Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland. Mycologist Steven Cochrane knows where they hide. We'll learn some mushroom identification techniques and also take a hike in this magnificent park.

Feb 11  Naturalist and artists Jack Laws is very much in demand as a field trip leader. We'll have him all to ourselves as he teaches us to really see (and draw) what we experience in nature. Location to be determined.

March 10  A treasure hunt around Jewel Lake in Tilden will be set up for us by naturalist Bethany Facendini. You'll have to use a compass and maybe catch a newt in order to find the treasure. Group will work in small teams. What fun! Hike after lunch.

April 14  Two tours: one at Cottage Garden Plants and Tim's Landscaping and then to Moraga Garden Center. (These are Stu Selland's primary sources for his beauteous gardens front and back in Lafayette.) This will be followed by a closing party at Stu's garden/habitat.

For more information contact: Cindy Spring 510-655-6658