Here is a preview of activities and events for Fall 2008:

Oct. 3-5, Friday – Sunday
Birds of Anza-Borrego
A weekend birding course
in the Anza-Borrego Desert
Instructor: Kurt Leuschner,
Professor of Natural Sciences

Participants of all birding abilities are welcome – also a great course for general desert natural history and for teachers! Caravan to various sites in the Anza-Borrego Desert. Learn about the ecology, conservation, and taxonomy of many different bird species. Weather can be variable. To enroll, call the UC Riverside Extension, 800/422-4900; email register@ucx.ucr.edu. Course fee is $169 or $155 each for couples and family members. Includes 1.5 quarter units. ABDNHA members receive a $27 discount! Begins at 7 p.m. Fri. evening. Meet at the Borrego Desert Nature Center. Course continues on Sat. and Sun. to 1 p.m.

Oct. 10, Fri., 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Desert Gardeners

Season opening meeting of the local garden group. Open to all. Location to be determined.

Oct. 12, Sun., 9 a.m. – Noon
Guided Discover Walk: Borrego Palm Canyon

Join Naturalist Karyn Barnett for a guided nature walk to the first palm grove in Palm Canyon. What animals live in the canyon? Are there any wildflowers blooming?

Let's find out together. Fairly easy walking on uneven terrain; some scrambling over rocks. Bring a lunch, water and wear a hat and hiking clothes. Meet at the Nature Center; carpooling encouraged. Entrance fee to trailhead is $6 per vehicle. No charge for the guided walk; call the Borrego Desert Nature Center for reservations.

Oct. 13, Mon., 9 a.m. – Noon
Hike: Wind Caves in Fish Creek Wash, Leader: Joan Malone

Windcaves

Oct. 18, Sat., 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hike: Bitter Creek Spring, Leader: Joan Malone

Oct. 18, Sat., 10 a.m.
Borrego Rock & Gem Club

Opening meeting of the season for the local rock club. All are welcome.

We hope you’ll join us this coming season! Find out about the field trip on Nov. 8. Meets at the Nature Center.

Oct. 25, Sat., 11 a.m. – Noon
2008 Borrego Days Parade

Come to the 2008 Borrego Days Parade. This year's Grand Marshal will be TV personality Huell Howser (pictured left), known for his commentary on hidden travel gems—such as Borrego Springs.

Special Parade Day offer: Join ABDNHA or purchase a gift membership today and receive a free gift!

You’re invited to set your chair in front of the Nature Center and watch for ABDNHA's entry in the parade. Stop by on parade day for a free souvenir.

Oct. 25, Sat., 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Slide Show/Talk – “Secret Splendors of the Desert”
Speaker: Author & Photographer Lalo Fiorelli

Hear from the author what has gone into making his new coffee table picture book of Anza-Borrego, Secret Splendors of the Desert. Book signing to follow the presentation.

Oct. 25, Sat., 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Book Signing Reception for Lalo Fiorelli

Join us in front of the Nature Center to meet Lalo Fiorelli, author of the beautiful Secret Splendors of the Desert to celebrate the publishing of this new book. No charge. See related slide program Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.

Oct. 30, Thurs., 8 – 10 a.m.
Repeats Nov. 6, *13, 20
Weekly Beginning Bird Walk
Leader: David Lasley

Learn to identify desert birds. Learn about bird behavior and nesting habits. Walk in and around Club Circle, a good birding area with level, easy terrain. Meet at the south end of Marker, south of Tilting T opposite the entrance to Borrego Springs Resort. Bring binoculars. Call the Nature Center for reservations. Non-members: $5 donation requested; Members and volunteers: no charge.

Save These Dates for November

Nov. 1, Sat., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hike: Santa Ysabel Preserve
Leader: Sanjiv Nanda

Hike through the beautiful hills and meadows of the Santa Ysabel Preserve. We will stop for lunch at one of the many picnic tables spread through this preserve along the trails. The hike is a total of 8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,000 feet. There are some steep uphill/downhill parts on this hike. Bring lunch, plenty of water, hiking boots, and dress for viable weather. This hike is a one-way hike that will require car shuttling. Meet at 9 a.m. at Dudley's in Santa Ysabel. Call the Nature Center to reserve.

Nov. 2, Sun., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hike: Rattlesnake Canyon Exploration

Join Hiking Leader Doug Nolff for a four-mile moderate hike with some boulder scrambling inside Rattlesnake Canyon. See interesting geology, plants, and bighorn sheep if we’re lucky.

This will be a leisurely hike and nature talk. Bring water, good hiking boots, and snacks for lunch in the canyon. We will meet on the north side turnout at mile 31.8 on S-22. No charge; but call the Nature Center to reserve.

Nov. 3: Hike Lost Palm

Nov. 6: Beginning Birding

Nov. 8: Welcome to the Desert Tour

Nov. 9: History Preservation Day at Old Borego Townsite

Nov. 12, Wed., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
4WD Self Recovery: Beginning Class & Field Testing New Skills
Instructor: Outfitter & Guide Bill Burke

The morning prepares you and your 4WD vehicle for safe travel in the backcountry. Learn how to get unstuck and use necessary equipment safely. See various scenarios for self-recovery. Learn to be prepared for a variety of situations in the backcountry. The afternoon includes a fun desert excursion to build on the skills learned in the morning, includes driving the washes and hills, learning more about your vehicle, and how to handle it safely. Class and field session combined into one class, which is different than in some years past. Bring lunch, water, notepad.

Register early, a minimum enrollment is required for this class to go. To reserve, call the Nature Center at (760) 767-3098. A maximum of 10 vehicles is permitted. The fee is per person. The fee for the first person in the car is $70 for an ABDNHA Member, $75 for a Nonmember. The second person in the car is M $60, NM $65; third person is M $50, NM $55. (This class is a prerequisite to the advanced class offered Nov. 19.)

Nov. 19, Wed., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Advanced 4WD Self Recovery Class
Instructor: Outfitter & Guide Bill Burke

We will take our basic knowledge and move along to get in actual winching and recovery strap use. Learn simple field fixes with basic tools. The terrain we choose will depend on which vehicles show up, but will be more demanding than the sandy terrain traversed during the basic self-recovery class, which is a prerequisite to this advanced class. See Nov. 9 for basic class. Bring lunch and water.
Register early, a minimum enrollment is required for this class to go; call the Nature Center, (760) 767-3098.

A maximum of 10 vehicles is permitted. A minimum signup is required for class. The fee is per person. The fee for the first person in the car is $70 for an ABDNHA Member, $75 for a Nonmember. The second person in the car is M $60, NM $65; third person is M $50, NM $55.

Volunteers: Save These Dates

*Nov. 13 is the first of several activities scheduled Nov 13-15 for ABDNHA Volunteer Fall Training. Please plan to join us if you are interested in volunteering with ABDNHA.

Nov. 13: Volunteer Training: Bird Watching

Nov. 13: Volunteer Potluck Social & Star Party

Nov. 14: Volunteer Training: Morning Field Trip

Nov. 15, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Volunteer Training: Desert Seminar and Lunch

ABDNHA Volunteers at the 2006 Volunteer Hike