Placer Nature Center
Events & NewsApril 2011
Greetings!    
April brings many wonderful things, Spring sunshine, flowers, birds, butterflies and Earth Day! We have a lot going on this month for people of all ages from next Friday's lecture on the true costs of oil to a Volunteer Day to plant a Native Bee Sanctuary garden. Also look for a GPS Nature Rally, composting class, learn how to use your telescope and a couple of teacher workshops. Summer Camp registration is now open and we are looking for volunteers to help decorate for the Blue & Green Ball ...read on!

Nature News

 

 Creature Feature: Mourning Dove  

A common bird with a beautiful sound, the coo of the Mourning Dove is often mistaken for an owl. The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is a member of the dove family (Columbidae). When flushed from the nest, an incubating parent may perform a nest-distraction display, or a broken-wing display, fluttering on the ground as if injured, then flying away when the predator approaches it.  

Read more...   

   

 

 Summer Camp Registration is open! 

Facepainting, hikes and arafts are a few of the things we do! Sign-up for Science & Nature Day Camp, Wild Child Outdoor photography camp and Growing Peace Camp. Camp times options have expanded to include afternoon (1pm-4pm) sessions as well as a new location in Roseville! For Themes, dates, times and registration please see our website!  We are also taking sign-ups for teen Jr. Naturalists (ages 13+) Learn more here! 

 

Tickets are selling fast for the Blue & Green Ball!

Come celebrate Placer Nature Center and Placer Land Trust's 20th Anniversary and honor the community that has supported these two organizations' work to protect the blue and green ball upon which we all live, work, and play. The ball will feature a PlacerGROWN dinner created by the Rustic Table. Options will be available for vegans and food intolerances. Also featuring a door prize, slent auction, music and dancing!

* If you are interested in sponsoring the ball, please contact Megan: (530) 878-6053 ext. 609 or [email protected] 

 

Citizen Science Opportunities 

 

Bee & Pollinator Hunt

When most people think of bees, they think of honey bees and colony collapse disorder, that mysterious disease killing off honey bees. But honey bees hail from Europe, and North America is home to many other species of bees, as well as many other species of flies, butterflies and other insects that pollinate flowers. Unfortunately, like honey bees, these native pollinators show worrying signs of decline, and there's scant scientific information about many of them. Bee Hunt is gathering data about the type and distribution of pollinating insects across the U.S. (It's also gathering information about native lady bugs, which eat aphids and being replaced in the landscape by invasive species of similar bugs from Asia and elsewhere.) Participants take photos of pollinating insects and gather data about the landscape they inhabit. For more information, visit http://www.discoverlife.org/bee/  **Come out and help plant a Native Bee Sanctuary Garden at Placer Nature Center on April 30th (more info below)!

 

 

Nestwatch  

Another citizen science project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, NestWatch is exactly what it sounds like. To participate, you need to have access to a nest with a breeding bird - preferably one of about 25 focal species - and observe it during the breeding season. By reporting your observations, you help scientists gather data over a wide area and long time period about breeding birds in North America. A similar program for non-nesting birds is eBird, and a NestWatch for photography lovers is CamClickr. For more information, visit NestWatch.orgeBird  or CamClickr. 

**** Upcoming Events! ****

Friday, April 1
7:30pm-9:30pm
at

Join journalist and award-winning author of "Oil on the Brain" Lisa Margonelli for an entertaining yet sobering look at the oil industry and our need to reduce our dependency on petroleum-based products. She recount her four year odyssey along the petroleum pipeline and the trues costs to people  around the world.

Read about a chance to win free gas and a chance to participate in a research project for the Rockefeller Foundation.

Doors open at 7pm with complimentary, locally grown goodies from Foothill Farmer's Market growers. Lecture starts at 7:30pm.  
Tickets and Information here
Saturday, April 2
8:30am - 3:30pm
at
SMUD
6301 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95817 (Map)

Presented by Linda Desai, Placer Nature Center, and Deb Bruns, Yolo County Office of Education. In the morning, we'll share activities to engage your students in "energizing" song and dance as well as interactive lessons to learn about the science of energy. In the afternoon, learn how to investigate hands-on science concepts in your classroom and schoolyard with Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences for young children. Teachers will receive activity guides and classroom materials, including a DVD, from Project Learning Tree. Breakfast and Lunch are provided.
Download the Flyer here
To register for this free workshop call or email 916.732.6738 or email [email protected]
Black Gold! 

Sunday, April 3

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm  

at  

Placer Nature Center - Map  

 
According to the Master Gardeners, Placer Nature Center has one of the best collections of composting systems in the area. Come learn which type is best for you, and how to turn yard and kitchen waste into a natural amendment for your garden.

Takes place rain or shine!
Make a day out of it and bring a picnic lunch.
Great for ages 10+; Nature Shop open.
Free to members, General Admission is $5/family.

Saturday, April 9
6:00 - 9:00 pm

at  

Placer Nature Center - Map   


Whether you are just looking at buying a telescope and want to learn more to someone who needs to brush up on their skills, comet hunter Don Machholz will show you how to use this very specialized piece of scientific equipment. From reflectors to scopes, you will learn how to set-up, operate and use your telescope. By the end of the workshop you will know, not only how to set it up but also the best places and ways to search the night sky. You'll also learn about where to get star maps. After the class everyone will get to practice the new skills by searching the night sky using your own and a variety of large telescopes!

Registration, tickets and more information...
Great for ages 9+
Canceled if you can not see the stars.
Members Free, General Admission is $15/person.
Nature Rally with GPS or Compass and First Aid kits - Adventures in Nature!
Sunday, April 10
1:00 - 4:00 pm

at  

Placer Nature Center - Map 


Learn how to use GPS or a compass and the most important things to have in a First Aid kit while hiking. During the Nature Rally, nature center docents and an instructor from REI's Outdoor School will be on hand to instruct you in the use of both the handheld GPS units and compass. Participants will receive log sheets containing coordinates of the various caches at specific locations on the nature trail to learn about neat features of the oak woodland community and record their find with secret words found at each location. You may bring your own GPS unit, or borrow a loaner provided by REI. For the purist trekkers, compasses will also be provided! A special first aid station will demonstrate the key items to take with you on a hike.

Takes place rain or shine!
Make a day out of it and bring a picnic lunch.
Nature Shop open.
Great for all ages!
Free to members, General Admission is $3/person.

Wednesday and Thursday, April 13-14
10:00 am - 2:30 pm
at
Sierra College, Rocklin Campus
5000 Rocklin Rd., Rocklin,CA

Come see us at our booth and visit over 40 other booths full of information, food, arts and fun. Featuring a Haute Trash Fashion Show, a climbing wall and more!
Saturday, April 16
9:30 am - 11:30 am

at  

Placer Nature Center - Map  


Lots of movement, in the grass in the trees in the air - it's time to investigate insects! Bring your curiosity. We'll have the nets and hand lenses for observation. Free class for tots, preschoolers & their families to explore, wiggle, sing, hike, do crafts and more! Have fun and learn about things to do in nature to aid in your child's physical, mental and emotional development. Makes learning fun! All children get to take home a magnifying lens to continue the discovery at home.
Takes place rain or shine!
Make a day out of it and bring a picnic lunch.
Nature Shop open. Aged 0-5 and their families.
Free program thanks to First 5 partnership.

*Spanish interpreter is always in attendance!
Information and Registration here
Saturday, April 16
10:00 am - 4 pm
at
Mahaney Regional Park, 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, CA 95747

Come see us at our booth! The event features live music, entertainment, cooking demonstrations, children's art activities, local green businesses, convenient parking, tasty food and much, much more!
 Loomis Earth Day Festival at the Train Depot
Saturday, April 23
12 - 4 pm
at
Train Depot in Loomis.

Visit our booth! Come to the train depot for good food, green businesses and lots of fun! Great activities for the whole family.
Thursday, April 28
6pm - 8 pm
at
Placer County Office of Education
Registration Required (see below)

Learn how to weave nature themes into all your activities - support reading, math, science and physical exercise. these dynamic two-hour sessions present and demonstrate "nature play" in Early Childhood Education to help build school readiness skills through nature exploration. After learning all about the benefits, you get to use hands-on tools and receive inspirational ideas to facilitate nature study both indoors and out.

Information & Registration

Takes place rain or shine at Placer County Office of Education.
Certificate of participation, 2 hours of professional growth.
Open to all educators and caregivers.
Free program thanks to First 5 partnership.

Family Volunteer Day - Help plant Native Bee Sanctuary Gardens!
Saturday, April 30
9 am - 2 pm

at  

Placer Nature Center - Map   


Bring the whole family out to help plant a Native Bee Sanctuary garden in the nature center's Learning Garden. Throughout the day, CSUS students will teach about pollination and the differences between European Honey bees and California native bees. Learn about the best plants you can plant at home to attract these special insects and why native pollinators are so important to our local landscape. There will be volunteer opportunities to fit all ages and abilities. The new section of the garden will be specialized to attract native bees using native plants and landscape design. It will be open to the public and also used during school field trips. Volunteers will be treated to complimentary refreshments throughout the day. All volunteers will also get to take home some California Poppy seeds! People of all ages are invited to participate.

The Native Bee Sanctuary garden and family volunteer day is made possible by Placer First 5 and Project Learning Tree�, the environ-mental education program of the American Forest Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Prince William Network.
Canceled if downpour, will happen if there is a light sprinkle!
Make a day out of it and bring a picnic lunch.
Nature Shop open.
Free for everyone and open to all ages!

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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

Thank you to our 20th Anniversary Sponsor!

 

 Auburn Printers & Integrated Marketing

Become a Sponsor 

Upcoming Events!
Oil on the Brain
Energy, Environment & Me!
Composting
Learn to use a telescope
GPS Nature Rally
Sierra College Earth Day Fest
Bug Detectives
Earth Day Festival Roseville
Earth Day Festival Loomis
School Gardens
Family Volunteer Day
Next month's lecture
Quick Links

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Seeking Volunteers!

Blue & Green Ball

 

Today we need creative volunteers to help design and create the decorations for the event. If interested please sign-up here!

Next month's
Friday Lecture Topic:
Friday
May 6, 2011
7:30 PM
@ State Theater in Auburn
Many Thanks to our 2010-2011 1st Friday Lectures Sponsors!
 
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Free Nature Computer Wallpaper

Provided by local photographers.