Placer Nature Center
Events & News March 2010
Greetings!
 
PNC's Springtime school field trips have really picked up, so the center is filled with little "ooohhhss" and "awwwss" nearly every morning. If you are planning a visit during the next couple months - try to schedule it during one of our weekend events or come after 1:30 PM M-F to avoid school bus traffic. 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:

Forever Free: Interactions of the American River Canyons 
This month-long celebration features interactive art events by more than twenty visual, performing and literary artists who are inspired by the American River Canyons (including one of our docents, Roger Groghan). For dates and information click here to visit PlacerArts

Seen & Heard at Placer Nature Center
If you sit still in our courtyard, the large number of Pacific Chorus Frogs who have taken up residence in our pond, will offer you an impressive serenade. Early in the morning you will also be astonished by multiple choruses of birds. Although they sound melodious, they are busy staking out their territory! Unfortunately our bee hive was infected with Dysentery and most of the bees either died off or swarmed at the end of February. Our bee experts are on the job disinfecting the hive and locating a new swarm.

New Recycle Resource Page
We have added a new resource page to our website focused on recycling and disposal: www.PlacerNatureCenter.org/recycle
Find information about local waste disposal. We will be continuing to add to this page with other information to help you reduce your waste stream. Remember, March 13th, 9am-1pm we will be collecting Electronic Waste at the Gold Country Fairgrounds at Auburn-Folsom and Fairgate in Auburn. Information about the event is found at www.PlacerNatureCenter.org/recycle
Upcoming Events!
 
4th Friday Lecture Series
Friday, March 26
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
at Unity of Auburn
1212 High St.
Downtown Auburn, 95603

If you were able to stand on Mars (protected by a Mars suit of course) what would you see? What would you feel? Dr. Paul Doherty from the San Francisco Exploratorium will be taking Placer Nature Center's 4th Friday Lecture Series to Mars on Friday, March 26th from 7:30PM-9:30PM.

Through hands-on activities, the audience will get to experience life on mars. From the color of the sky, to the dirt, Dr. Doherty will fly participants to Mars and back again using pictures, props and visualization.

Find out which California city has sky the same color of Mars and the difference in a Martian sunset from our own. How does sound carry? How does Mars taste, smell, feel? And just how much sun block will you really need?. Read more..

Great for ages 10+
Music starts at 7 PM, lecture at 7:30; after the lecture stay for Q&A, meet & greet the speaker, and raffle!
Students $5, Members $8, General Public $10
Recycle Your Electronics!
Benefits the planet & the nature center!
Saturday, March 13
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
at Gold Country Fairgrounds,
Auburn-Folsom & Fairgate in Auburn

Help keep toxic metals out of our water and soil by properly recycling your electronic waste. Some items will even benefit the Nature Center! Everything will be 100% disassembled and recycled at a local recycling facility in Roseville. Read more about the dangers of e-waste and why it is important to thoroughly research your recyclers (we did this for you - simply load it in the car - we'll unload for you).

Free Electronics Recycling
Drive-Through Service, we'll unload for you!

Read about accepted items here...
Be a Nature Detective - Scat & Tracks!
Friends & Family Day
Saturday, March 13
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 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! By looking at the tracks and scat of animals we can see where and how fast they are going, what they were doing and what type of animal they were. Learn the techniques the scientists use to understand how healthy an animal population is and also which animals are extremely hard to track.

Nature Walks at 11:30am and 12:45pm.
Great for ages 4+; Nature Shop open
Free to members and children, General Public is $5/adult.
Photography Contest for High School Students
Deadline extended a week!
Entries due Friday, March 19

Placer Nature Center is seeking photos to help document the Placer Nature Center trail!

All Placer County High School students (includes Bear River) are encouraged to submit photos. Winning photographs will be displayed at the April Art Walk at the Old Library Artist Studios as well as receive prizes. For contest details, what the nature center is looking for, prizes, etc... download a flyer!
Feathered Friends!
Our Day Outside
Free class for Tots, Preschoolers & their Families!
Saturday, March 20
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
at PNC

This class focuses on birds. Explore, wiggle, sing, hike, do crafts and more with your 0-5 year old child. This special class engages the family in strategies to use nature play to aid in your child's physical, mental and emotional development. Class made possible by a grant from Placer First 5.
*Spanish interpreter is always in attendance!
Read more here about this series...
The workshop is a free event brought to you in partnership with the Placer First 5.
Grow Your Own Veggies!
Free Green Gardening Workshop Series
with local Placer Master Gardeners
Saturday, March 27
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
at PNC

Learn to grow your own food or bring your questions about your current garden. The Master Gardeners will cover the basics, tips, tricks and techniques to help you create your own edible landscape. Bring questions, samples and your curiosity!

* If bringing diseased samples from your garden please store them in a plastic zip lock bag to avoid spreading pests and diseases!

Great for ages 8+; Free
The workshop is a free event brought to you in partnership with the UCCE Placer County Master Gardeners.
Naturally yours,
 
Founders Leslie and Linda, and all the docents, volunteers, and everyone at Placer Nature Center!
Questions, comments, suggestions? Give us a call!
530-878-6053
Upcoming Events!
Ticket to Mars
Recycle Your Electronics!
Scat & Tracks!
Photography Contest
Our Day Outside
Grow Your Own Veggies!
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Special Thanks to our 4th Friday Lecture Series Partners!

Without them, we wouldn't be able to bring the lecture series to the community each year!

Be sure to let them know you how much you appreciate their support!

Bank of the West

PG & E

Gold Country Media and Auburn Journal


Marion Friedman


49er Printing
& Copy Center

(530) 885-2481
11806 Kemper Rd
Auburn, CA 95603


Unity of Auburn
(530) 888-6489
1212 High Street
Auburn, CA 95603

Special Thanks to our E-Waste Drive Partners!

Be sure to let them know you how much you appreciate their support!

OneBigBin.com


rECOLOGY


Gold Country Media and Auburn Journal


49er Printing
& Copy Center

(530) 885-2481
11806 Kemper Rd
Auburn, CA 95603