Photo by Jon Klas.

Nearly 500 guests joined us for a day of adventure and exploration at the Jewel of the Creek Preserve on November 16. We doubled our attendance and doubled our fun!  Thank you to all who came out, as well as to our incredible volunteers (more than 50 of them!) who worked so hard to make the day a success. The rain held off and kept temperatures from getting uncomfortable, and we even had water in the creek for gold panning.

We want to thank the community partners who participated in the event:

Photo by Jon Klas.

Guests explored the preserve, learned about natural and cultural history at discovery stations along the trail, and kids had a passport stamped

Photo by Bob Golembe.

at each station. Wild At Heart released four rehabilitated hawks into the beautiful desert, and goody bags and free food and drinks rounded out the day. Special thanks to Boy Scout Troop Leader Jim Evans, who went home to get a cook stove and pot and cooked more than 300 hot dogs when the hot dog cart we had rented didn't arrive, and to our neighbors at Spur Cross Stables who "rode to our rescue" and let us park overflow cars in their parking lot.
 

Photo by Jon Klas.

Ultimately, this is what it's all about - the community coming together to share this incredible place with one another.  Thank you to all who participated!