Placer Nature Center
Events & News March 2009
Greetings!
 
Thanks for all your suggestions for next year's 4th Friday Lecture Series! A tenative schedule will cover such topics as Salmon, Vernal Pools and Nature Iraq!
 
Also, if you wish to update your email preferences or unsubscribe, you can do so through the links at the bottom of this e-mail.
 
Nature News:

Natural Mold and Mildew Eliminators: 
Tea Tree Treasure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. Use it on moldy ceilings, on musty bureaus, rugs and nasty shower curtains. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little bit goes a very long way. *Note: the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.
  • 2 teaspoons tea tree oil
  • 2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.

Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.
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If you have any personal favorite recipes for natural cleaners you'd like to share, send us an email!
 
Shop and Support PNC
Whether you bring your own or buy a "-1" bag from Whole Foods in Roseville, Placer Nature Center and the planet both benefit! The planet benefits because your bag saves plastic from ending up in the the Pacific Ocean plastic soup island or reduces paper waste. Placer Nature Center benefits because your $.05 bag credit helps fund our programs as well as $1 from each purchase of the "-1" bag! We all win!

Vroom, vroom...
Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph; boosting your highway speed from 55 to 75 can raise fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent!  Driving at steady, reasonable speeds doesn't only keep your insurance down, it also saves both gas and money! In case you don't believe us, ask NASA
This equation explains it all: D = Cd x r x V2/2 x A
 
 
Hydrogen Economy in Our Future?
Friday, March 27
7 to 9:30 p.m.
at Unity of Auburn
 
As gas prices fluctuate and the climate changes, more people are considering alternative fuels sources and transportation. Joshua Cunningham, the pre-eminent expert on the hydrogen economy as well as other advance vehicle options, will give insight into what lies ahead. Bring all your questions and be ready for an engaging night!
 
Mr. Cunningham is program manager of the Sustainable Transportation Energy Pathways (STEPS) Program at the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis), a leading contributor to industry, government and public understanding on the comparison of alternative fuel pathways.

Lecture will be held at Unity of Auburn's auditorium, 1212 High Street, Auburn (right downtown) 

Music starts at 7pm, lecture at 7:30 sharp.
Tickets are Members:$8, Full-time Students:$5, and General Public:$10. Purchase online at www.4thfridaylecture.org or pay cash at the door. Great for ages 15 and up!
 
Our Starry Sky!Children learn about local birds and their nests.
Saturday, March 7
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
at PNC 
 
starStargazing for Families and Friends
 If you've ever looked up at the sky and wanted to know more, Don Machholz can answer all your astronomical questions while adding his own fun and unique insights! 
 
His classes are perfect for anyone aged 7 and up who wants to understand our amazing universe. Why is Pluto not considered a planet anymore? What are Saturn's rings made of?  
Join Don at the Placer Nature Center for an evening of exploration of the stars and sky! This is a great chance for children and adults alike to hear Don (author, comet-hunter and story-teller) talk about the stars, the planets and his own discoveries!
 
* Bring a flashlight and warm clothing! Will be canceled if raining or extremely cloudy.

Call 530-878-6053 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot!  Class is $6 per person.
Tracks and Scat!
Saturday, March 14
11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at PNC 
 
Who's footprint is that?
What do raccoons eat?
Become a nature detective and learn to read the signs of  the trail!

Explore the Placer Nature Center trail and Discovery Hall and learn how to find clues about our animal friends. Did you know that by moving alongside a set of tracks, or finding scat, you can discover that the animal climbed a tree, found a mate, or marked its territory? You can also tell the type of animal, the species and many more interesting facts!
 
All exhibit halls will be open for exploration with naturalists, docents and staff on hand to answer all your questions. Lots of fun things for all ages to do!

Guided Nature Walks at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
Admission $5. Members and children free. 
 
The Nature Store will also be open!
Our Day Outside: Feathered Friends
Saturday, March 21
9:30 to 11:00a.m.
at PNC
 
Twitter, tweet and chirp! Bring the little ones to Our Day Outside to explore, practice learning strategies and gain new tools to nurture your preschooler's innate curiosity of the environment! You and your children will be able to learn new facts about birds in California, such as:
  • What makes a bird a bird?
  • Feather inspection!
  • Songs and stories about birds
  • Outside discoveries - spotting birds outside on the nature trail!

Acquire new tools to nurture your young child's innate curiosity about the environment! Families with children (0-5 years) will explore and practice learning strategies. This class builds necessary skills to help children excel in school.

This free event is made possible by a grant by Placer First 5.
Planning Your Summer Vegetable Garden
Saturday, March 28
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
at PNC
 
What should I plant? Where? When? and How? Whether your yard is small or large, learn how to maximize use of your space to grow your own delicious and nutritious food. 
 
This free workshop is part of the 4th Saturday Green Gardening Workshop Series. Made possible by the UCCE Placer County Master Gardeners.
  
Questions, comments, suggestions? Give us a call!
530-878-6053
Kindest regards,
 
Founders Leslie and Linda, and all the docents, volunteers, and staff members at Placer Nature Center!
Upcoming Events!
Hydrogen Economy in Our Future?
Our Starry Sky!
Tracks and Scat
Our Day Outside
Summer Vegetable Garden
Meet the Star Man!
Spotlight:

Meet our Star Man, Don Machholz

An appraiser by day and comet tracker by night, Don has written four astronomy books and discovered 10 comets. 
 
He has received extensive praise for his fourth book, "The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon," which catalogues 110 galaxies, star clusters and nebulae, along with many of the brightest and best-known objects in the sky.  
 
 
To reserve your spot call 
530-878-6053
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Earth Hour!
earth 
On March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., local time, World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour -- Earth Hour -- to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to
demonstrate their commitment to finding solutions. Turn out. Take action.
Be part of this historic event. http://www.earthhourus.org end