Placer Nature Center
Events & NewsJune 2010
Happy June !
 
The heat has hit! Schools out, no more field trips until September, but if you are planning a visit to the nature center during a week of summer camp, please try to come after 1:30 PM. 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:

A Bee-utiful Garden
130,000 of the plants we depend on (both for food and for ornamental use) rely on insects to reproduce, of which are mostly from 20,000 species of bees.  Bees are thus essential to biodiversity, a main indicator of the health of an ecosystem. Find out what you can do to help bees survive, like did you know that mulching around plants prevents our native bees from burrowing? Read more on our blog and learn how to create a bee-utiful low maintenance garden!

New Teens page
We've uploaded a new teens page with resources like scholarships, videos, social sites like EarthConnect and links to other cool ecology adventure websites. Visit the page...

Help Send a Kid to Camp!
Every child benefits from Summer Camp, but some families, facing financial difficulties in this economy, simply cannot afford to send their children to Summer Camp at Placer Nature Center. But you can help. Your donation of whatever size can help Send a Kid to Summer Camp. Read more here...

Register NOW for Summer Camp!
Summer sessions are already starting to fill! information on this year's camps is now online. We have a new camp this year for 8-12 year olds: Starlight, Sunlight & Orbs! Also, thanks to R.E.I., we have 30 camp scholarships to award!  Info and registration...
Upcoming Events!
 
Insect Scavenger Hunt
Friends & Family Day
Saturday, June 12
Drop-in anytime between 11am - 2pm
at PNC

Grab your Bug Bingo card and hit the trail! Try to get BINGO by marking off the insects you find. Learn about our native insects, and those that have come from faraway places; those that are helpful and those who harm. Learn what they eat, where they live and how they change throughout their lifecycle. Come take the first step towards metamorphosis into an entomologist (the type of scientist who studies insects)!

Great for ages 3+; Nature Shop open
Free to members and children, General Public is $5/adult.
19th Annual Confluence Festival
Hosted by P.A.R.C.
Saturday, June 12, 7pm - 9pm
Sunday, June 13, 9am - 4pm
at American River Overlook Park, Pacific Avenue, Auburn

PARC's annual river festival features family-friendly nature, art, and canyon recreational activities, a rock climbing wall, over 40 information booths and vendors, and delicious food in a shaded river village atmosphere. Come visit Placer Nature Center's booth!

Confluence Parkway Interpretive Rafting Trips from the Confluence to China Bar are planned for Saturday, June 12. Canyon interpretive specialists will be on each trip to provide information and answer questions on the rich river-canyon ecology and gold rush history of the river. Rafting trips will meet and leave from the Overlook Park at 10 am and 2 pm. Participants must have a reservation. The cost is $35 for adults, children 18 and under are $25. Minimum age is 10. For reservations and information contact Canyon Raft Rentals @ 530-823-0931 or Sierra Outdoor Center @ 530-885-1844. All funds benefit PARC!

The American River Silent Auction opens on Saturday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm at the park (plus, Beer and Wine Tasting!). Sunday's entertainment features two-time Grammy Award Winner Mary Youngblood, First Lady of the Flute and much, much more!

Great for all ages; Free!
Visit PARC's website for more information!
Summer Camp: Flutterbys
Summer Camp
Monday-Friday, June 14-18

Do you know the order of the honeybee hive? Or why the honeybee bee dances? Get your insect nets and bug viewers because we're going on a scavenger hunt! See like an insect and learn about compound eyes, metamorphosis and all the different types of insects. And, of course, what's a bug without the parts of the flower? We'll trap specimens to study under the microscope but we will always do an insect release ceremony when we're done to encourage stewardship! Let's play Forest Trail Fantasy and then team up for the Garden Scent Trail, and then a little Sniff & Scout! Create a trash monster and record your buggy discoveries by sketch.
Read more about Summer Camp!

Great for ages 6-12; Each week of camp is $85 per camper, Placer Nature Center member price is $75 per camper.
R.E.I. Camp Scholarships are available

Summer Camp: Geology Rocks
Summer Camp
Monday-Friday, June 21-25

Do you know what minerals are in your toothpaste? Dig into the earth and explore rocks! Learn about the rock cycle,fossils and use the tools of a geologist. Play Quake Proof, go core sampling in a cupcake, and hard rock chocolate chip cookie mining. Learn how to classify rocks and explore their patterns. Make your own rock collection and take a meteorite walk. Create your own Sands of Time, crystal shapes, sandstone and an exploding volcano. See how geology rocks your world and affects plants and animals everyday!
Read more about Summer Camp!

Great for ages 6-12; Each week of camp is $85 per camper, Placer Nature Center member price is $75 per camper.
R.E.I. Camp Scholarships are available

Summer Camp: Howlers
Summer Camp
Monday-Friday, June 28-July 2

Explore the world of mammals, learn to read animal trails and navigate the web of life. Investigate skulls and pelts learn about the different types of teeth and adaptations! Explore animal homes, use a microscope to look at fur and guess the Mystery Skull. Paint rocks and your face to look like your favorite critter. Understand habitat and start your own mini nature journal as we explore. Take part in the Creature Symphony and make tracks. Read more about Summer Camp!

Great for ages 6-12; Each week of camp is $85 per camper, Placer Nature Center member price is $75 per camper.
R.E.I. Camp Scholarships are available

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!
Insect Scavenger Hunt
Flutterbys Camp
Geology Rocks Camp
Howlers Camp
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Our Wish List
Here's a list of items we need to operate. If you have any extras laying around that need a good home - please think of donating them to us! For an extended list, please visit our website here.
  • 8.5x11 hanging folders
  • pens & pencils (that still work)
  • 8.5x11 paper any color - scrap okay too as long as it can fit through a printer!
  • (2) hanging file frames for a file cabinet
  • 3-hole punch
  • letter openers
  • AAA batteries
  • push pins for a cork board
  • permanent markers
Yolo Basin
Bat Talk & Walk

Join Yolo Basin Foundation and the Department of Fish and Game for an evening with bats. The program begins with a 45 minute indoor presentation on bat natural history and includes an opportunity to view live bats. Then the group will carpool to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area to watch one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats in California as it emerges to hunt insects at sunset.

There is a small amount of walking. Those in wheel chairs or unable to walk may view the bats by car. Please let us know if you have special needs. Call Dee at 530-757-3780 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 � 6:45 pm � $10.00 per adult (children under 16 are free). Learn more
Free Vendor Fair at Whole Foods Market
June 27th,
12 Noon - 3:00 PM

Come visit the nature center booth and many others in Roseville.

Sample products from over 50 local vendors; Raw Food Chefs, Kid's Activites, Gluten Free Recipes, Organic Gardening tips, Canning Demonstations, Family Meal Planning, and much much more......

1001 Galleria Blvd. Roseville, CA 95678