The nature-focused, environmental film festival will support VMF's theme of A Watershed Year.  It will focus on water, conservation, connectivity, adventure and the beauty of nature. Two exceptional, award-winning, feature-length films also provide a local connection.

An Emmy-nominated documentary, Breaking Point by award-winning documentary producer Bill Wisneski, spotlights a critical water issue and a potential crisis in Southern California with the Salton Sea and the Colorado River Basin.  California's largest lake is disappearing and time is running out to make changes before an ecological breaking point is reached. Bill will be with us to lead a discussion and answer questions.

Have you wondered what that little black and yellow bird is that frequents your back yard, or what bird is chattering in the park tree? Palomar Audubon Society is offering a beginning-intermediate birding course, consisting of four consecutive Tuesday classes starting September 8th at 6:30 pm at the Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreational Center. In addition, there will be two Saturday morning field trips, the first after the first two classes and the second at the end of the course. 

Western Scrub Jay, by Sonja Beeve of Palomar Audubon Society

The course will cover the  classification of birds, field markings of local birds, bird behavior, vocalizations, tracking, and the different habitats in San Diego County.

 

The cost for entire course is $60. Upon completion of course, there will be the opportunity to participate in San Dieguito River Park Conservancy Citizen Science bird counts.

 

The course will be led by Phoenix Von Hendy, a long time birding leader in north San Diego County and a Certified Tracker Naturalist.

 

Cactus Wren, by Sonja Beeve of Palomar Audubon Society

For questions about the course, contact Audubon Conservation Chair Richard Fowler at rcfowl@cox.net. To register, complete the registration form found at the Palomar Audubon Society's site and send it with a check to:

 

Palomar Audubon

P.O. Box 2483

Escondido, CA  92033-2483

 

All registration forms and payment must be received by September 1st.

 

The San Dieguito River Park continued its participation in community events by staffing booths at the annual Enviro Fair at the San Diego County Fair in June and the Scripps Ranch Community Fair in May. 

Interpretive Ranger Leana Bulay, Senior Park Ranger Natalie Borchardt, Park Ranger Bryan Ward, Volunteer Carol Carr at the Enviro Fair

These community outreach events are great for rangers and volunteers to spread awareness of the park and meet hundreds of people. Our prize wheel, animal skulls, and coyote pelt enticed fairgoers to stop and take a map or brochure or ask questions about the park, our trails, volunteer opportunities, and the plants and wildlife that inhabit the River Valley.

At the Enviro Fair, Rangers Leana and Natalie gave a presentation about the River Park on the Flower and Garden Show Stage.

Park Ranger Felipe Franco-Ortiz and Volunteer David Asterino at the SRCA Fair

In the last two months, Park Rangers have also had opportunities to participate in the Community Service Conservation Fair at Granger Junior High School and give presentations at the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club and Bernardo Heights Middle School.