Past Events
Autumn, 2011
The Wild Fall Gourmet: Seasonal Cooking with Native Plants
Wednesday, October 19th, 6 to 8:30 p.m. $45
At In The Kitchen 648 Zion Street, Nevada City
Our modern-day American diet relies upon a mere 30 or so plant species, while 200 years ago an indigenous Californian’s diet would have included about a thousand. We can still connect with the nutrition of our landscape by cooking native, local foods that are tasty, beautifully prepared and carbon-free. Learn how to prepare a Wild Thanksgiving Feast. Make a “Beyond Cranberry” Wild Berry Sauce and other local holiday dishes, discover how to easily process acorns into Oak Nut Flour and enjoy tasting seasonal desserts. Taught by wild edibles expert, Alicia Funk of The Living Wild Project.
Pre-registration Required. Email: alicia@livingwild.org or call 530-264-5154.
Save the Big Trees 'Inimim Forest Volunteer Work Day at Shields Camp
Saturday, November 5th, Rain or Shine, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Free -
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center 17894 Tyler Foote Road, Nevada City, at 9 a.m. to carpool to the worksite
R.S.V.P. to Bob Erickson at 530.292.3777
Make a difference with your own two hands. Come contribute to habitat restoration and protect old growth forest from future wildfire at the headwaters of Spring Creek. Our special guest Len Bracket, falconer, will talk about his experience rearing accipiters in the area. In appreciation of your hard work lunch is on us! We are providing an on-site picnic for volunteers at 2 p.m. Please bring water, snacks, work gloves, & hand tools (hand saws, loppers, etc.)
Break Bread with the Yuba Watershed Institute at Soup Night
An Autumn Celebration of Place & Tree Rings #23
Thursday, November 17th 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is - Free - Families Welcome
At The Haven Underground, 226 Broad Street, Nevada City
Bring your own bowl to fill with local & organic seasonal soup prepared by In The Kitchen and mingle with the members of the Yuba WatershedInstitute. Nibble on homebaked pie, or bring one of your own pies to add to the Harvest Pie Contest. Partake in conversations and displays on homesteading, sustainability, wildlife monitoring and more! Kids table with coloring projects. Gifts for new members who join on-site, as well as a chance to win locally crafted goods. All proceeds directly benefit YWI.
Thank you to Extasia, Sierra Hot Springs, Wild Mountain Yoga, Healing River Massage, B.Y.O.B., S.P.D. and all who have donated to our bounty of prizes to give away to new members and pie contest winners!
The 14th Annual Fungus Foray
Collecting and Identifying: Saturday, December 10th, Rain or Shine, 10a.m. to 4p.m.
At the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center Admission - $20 general, $18 for YWI members; half day- $12, Under 18 Free
Our traditional Saturday morning wild mushroom hunt and identification will wrap up with an afternoon of displayed discoveries and educational identification workshops. Wild-crafted food concessions and mushroom merchandise available for sale. Bring a lunch and be prepared to walk in the woods. Also useful: collection basket, waxed paper bags, knife, and hand lens.
NEW! The Nevada City Wild Mushroom Exposition
Sunday, December 11th, 11a.m. to 5p.m.
At the Miners Foundry Stone Hall, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City
Admission - $10 general, $8 for YWI members, $5 for Students, Under 13 Free
A new addition to our popular Fungus Foray! YWI is bringing the Foray to down town Nevada City! The Sunday Exploration is packed with presentations, displays, and identification workshops based on our seasonal Sierran mushroom. Wild-crafted food concessions and mushroom merchandise available for sale. This event is concurrent with the Victorian Christmas Street Fair.
The Wild Fall Gourmet:
Seasonal Cooking with Native Plants
Wednesday, October 19th, 6 to 8:30 p.m. $45
At In The Kitchen 648 Zion Street, Nevada City
Our modern-day American diet relies upon a mere 30 or so plant species, while 200 years ago an indigenous Californian’s diet would have included about a thousand. We can still connect with the nutrition of our landscape by cooking native, local foods that are tasty, beautifully prepared and carbon-free. Learn how to prepare a Wild Thanksgiving Feast. Make a “Beyond Cranberry” Wild Berry Sauce and other local holiday dishes, discover how to easily process acorns into Oak Nut Flour and enjoy tasting seasonal desserts. Taught by wild edibles expert, Alicia Funk of The Living Wild Project.
Pre-registration Required. Email: alicia@livingwild.org or call 530-264-5154.
Spring 2011
Scotch Broom Challenge
Saturday, March 19, 2011, 9:00 AM to Noon
Meet at the Oak Tree School
Join the YWI and the Fire Safe Council for the North San Juan/Oak Tree Road Scotch Broom Challenge neighborhood work party. Lunch will be provided.
For more information or to volunteer for this event only, contact the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County 530-272-1122. www.areyoufiresafe.com
Wildlife Movement and Habitat Connectivity -- Citizen Monitoring and Science
A presentation with Fraser Shilling, Researcher in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, UC Davis
Thursday, March 31, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Madelyn Helling Library Community Room, Nevada City
$7 General
$5 YWI Members
Wildlife moves opportunistically through landscapes to forage, disperse and to reproduce. A component of this movement occurs along "corridors" or "linkages,” while the vast majority occurs anywhere on the landscape that animals can move and meet their various needs. When landscapes permit movement, they have high connectivity. In this presentation, Fraser will introduce non-invasive methods that professional and volunteer scientists can use to monitor wildlife movement, such as wildife cameras, track plates, live and dead (roadkill) animal observation, and sign detection (e.g., scat and tracks). In combination, and sometimes alone, these methods can provide enough information to tell us where wildlife are moving, which wildlife are moving, when they are moving, and sometimes why. Fraser will offer examples of this movement being in conflict with land-uses, roads and highways, and other human activity, and suggest remediation actions to facilitate wildlife movement.
Wildlife Tracking: Discovering the Secret Movements of Animals-- SOLD OUT!
A field seminar with Daniel Gray, www.grayfoxtracking.com
Saturday, April 2, 2011 9:00 AM to Noon
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
$25 General
$20 YWI Members
Children 12 and under Free.
Space is limited to 15 participants. Pre-registration required.
Long before modern technology, our ancestors used the sacred art of tracking for sustenance and to avoid danger, among other purposes. In this morning field seminar, we will explore and discover this sacred art by “reading” the pathways, trails and marks left behind in the everyday movement of our wild neighbors. In studying track and sign identification and interpretation, the subtle and often unseen marks beneath our feet and all around us suddenly bring to life a vivid picture of the life, and death, the joys and struggles of nature’s inhabitants. In studying these lives, our own patterns and connection to nature are suddenly and vividly brought forth to our awareness, harboring with it a deep and ancient connection to our past and to the Mystery of the Wilderness. Bring water, notebook/journals, ruler/tape measure and pencils or pens for writing and sketching and be prepared to walk in the woods. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
The Forest on its own Timeline- A Guided Walk on the Poison Oak Parcel
with YWI board members Bob Erickson, Gary Parsons and Wendy Boes
Sunday, April 3, 2011 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
$5 Suggested Donation
This walk is another in our series of guided hikes exploring theheadwaters of Shady Creek in the 'Inimim Forest. The Poison Oak parcel is a deep, dense north aspect forest with very thick and difficult vegetation amongst some truly beautiful large trees. This parcel is soft and spongy underfoot with a well developed organic layer under rotting branches. The forest is dense and mostly closed, creating a thick, face slapping, stick breaking forest type that most people don't wander through; the thick part of the rejuvenation cycle. So come and enjoy a difficult hike, all off trail, about two or three miles, while noting the various aspects of this particular forest.Bring a lunch, excellent hiking shoes and water.
Get a Handle On It!
Homesteading basics and tool repair clinic with Gary Parsons
Saturday, April 16, 2011, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
$12 General
$10 YWI Members
Thinning undergrowth is much easier with a well handled and sharp tool to work with. And wouldn't it be nice to enjoy using it? Bring your broken or dull outdoor hand tools and give them a satisfying second chance. We'll show the "proper" way to re-handle an axe, shovel, or most any wooden handled tool. A wide variety of new handles will be available at cost, or buy ahead of time and bring it to the clinic.Several types of sharpening will be demonstrated and available.Basic injury avoiding techniques for serious hand tool-use, and other elements of hand work will be discussed. Ideas for a hand tool based fire threat reduction and maintenance program will also be presented.This is a dynamic event, so please bring eye and ear protection if you have it; power tools will be in use.
Kids Flower Fest
with Alicia Funk of the Living Wild Project
Download Kids Flower Fest Poster
Saturday, April 30, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Burton Homestead (Lake Vera Road, Nevada City)
Cost per child (adults free):
$20 General
$15 YWI Members
Space is limited to 30 children. Pre-registration Required.
Live wild with your child. Growing and protecting native plants helps the earth because they save water, don’t need pesticides and provide food and shelter for wildlife. In this interactive, fun class children will go on a treasure hunt to identify common Sierra wildflowers; make flower art; taste wild food desserts and take home recipes; make medicine from flowers; and plant a take-home garden of beautiful, native flowers. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the meadow at the close of the day. For kids ages 3-8 and their parents. All class proceeds support YWI’s children’s educational programs in public schools.
Foraging Skills for Edible and Medicinal Plants
A field seminar with Matt and Rachel Berry and Daniel Nicholson
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Dancing Pines Farm, San Juan Ridge
$30 General Admission
$25 YWI Members
Space is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration Required.
Come discover the seasons’ richness that our Sierra Foothills native and wild flora can provide. Join Daniel, Matt, and Rachel as we visit many of the native bulbs, herbs, and spring greens that are in seasonal abundance. Discussions will include: making cordage, edible greens and bulb identification, strategies for improving wild food production, sustainable harvest techniques, and a medicine-making demonstration. Our goal is to send people home with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the nutrition, availability, usefulness, and sense of stewardship of our local plants.
Spring Fungus Field Seminar
With local fungus expert Daniel Nicholson
Saturday, May 28, 2011, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
$30 General Admission
$25 YWI Members
Space is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration Required.
For general information for this event only, contact Daniel Nicholson at danmadrone@gmail.com
Join local mycologist Daniel Nicholson and friends as we carpool with a small group to investigate the Sierra mountain spring fungi. We will visit somewhat pre-determined fungal hot spots through the mid-elevations to snowline. Identification, foraging skills, edible fungi (morels and spring kings mostly), and snowmelt fungi will be the focus of discussions. As with most fungi events, it runs rain or shine.
Bring a sack lunch and be prepared for walking extensively through the woods.
Nature Journaling at The River-- Cancelled due to weather!
A family-friendly workshop at Purdon Crossing with Jacquie Bellon
Sunday, June 5, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
$30 General; $55 Family Flat Rate (maximum 4 per family please)
$25 YWI Members; $45 Family Flat Rate (maximum 4 per family please)
Space is limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration Required.
For general information for this event only, contact Jacquie Bellon at 530-292-3309
In this family-friendly field seminar, participants will explore the natural beauty around us by documenting responses and reflections through nature journaling. In this workshop we will learn how to observe, listen and capture the natural world while being introduced to basic drawing and water color techniques. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, a sack lunch, a sketch pad or journal, a pencil, and if you would like colored pencils and/or watercolors.
Woodslore and Wildwoods Wisdom: Celebrating The Natural World with visiting Appalachian author and naturalist Doug Elliot
Thursday, July 21, 5:30-7:30 PM
Burton Homestead, 16200 Lake Vera Purdon Road, Nevada City
$10 General
$8 YWI Members
No one will be turned away for lack of money. Pre-registration is not required.
For general information for this event only, contact Daniel at 530-292-3589
Doug Elliot is known for his lively presentations as well as his broad, practical, scientific and cultural knowledge. His program explores and celebrates the interface of the natural world and human culture. Whether he is extolling the virtues of dandelions, marveling over marmots, pontificating on possums, deciphering God's handwriting on the back of a trout, following an old mountain man in his goat pasture, or wailing out a jivey harmonica tune, he'll be sharing traditional lore, outrageous personal narratives, and natural history facts stranger than fiction. He flavors it all with ecological insights, regional dialects, and more than a few belly laughs.
Join us for a casual late afternoon stroll and sit down discussion that will include the intriguing parallels that our Sierra Nevada Mountains and Doug's Blue Ridge Mountains in Appalachia share. We will likely nibble some wild plants and discuss their medicinal attributes as we investigate the plant-people relationship that rural folk hold dear.
Fall 2010
Rescheduled due to weather! This walk will now occur on Sunday, November 14th (original date: Sunday, October 24, 2010) 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Linking our Habitat Trek #1: The Headwaters of Shady Creek
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
This hike will take us through some of the recovering hydraulic diggings, a remnant mature and old forest and the site of a wildlife study of the YWI in the headwaters of Shady Creek in the 'Inimim Forest. Accipiters, lions, bears and ringtail cats make their home here. This will be an adventurous hike, mostly off trail and with a few steep hills. Several miles. Call if you would like more details. Bring a lunch, excellent hiking shoes and water.
Special Guests: Lisa and Ralph Cutter
Guides: Bob Erickson and Gary Parsons
Members $8.00
General Admission $10.00
Saturday, November 6, 2010, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
YWI's 20th Anniversary Celebration~ book release and wild food and drink
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
In celebration of YWI's 20th anniversary, join us for an evening of books, performance, and wild food and drink tastings. Don't miss the opportunity to be the first to sneak a peek at YWI's book The Nature of This Place: Investigations and Adventures in the Yuba Watershed, edited by Bruce Boyd and Liese Greensfelder with a foreword by Gary Snyder, published by Comstock Bonanza Press. This anthology includes select writings and art from YWI's Journal, Tree Rings', previous 22 editions compiled to inform, inspire and immerse us in the natural world of the Yuba Watershed and beyond. Select recitations and readings will be performed. Books will be for sale and will, in part, benefit the Yuba Watershed Institute.
Advance Tickets: $15 YWI members; $20 General
At the Door: $18 YWI members; $23 General
Thursday, November 18, 2010, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Book Signing Event with Gary Snyder
Mowen Solinsky Gallery, downtown Nevada City
Join the Yuba Watershed Institute and special guests Gary Snyder, David Lukas and Jacquie Bellon for a book signing event, including readings from The Nature of This Place: Investigations and Adventures in the Yuba Watershed, edited by Bruce Boyd and Liese Greensfelder with a foreword by Gary Snyder, and published by Comstock Bonanza Press. This anthology includes select writings and art from Tree Rings' previous 22 editions compiled to inform, inspire and immerse us in the natural world of the Yuba Watershed and beyond.
Free Event!
Book proceeds benefit the educational and land stewardship efforts of the Yuba Watershed Institute.
Cancelled due to weather!! Saturday, November 20, 2010, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Fall Foraging Skills for Edible and Medicinal Plants
A field seminar with Rachel and Matt Berry and Daniel Nicholson
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Join local talented wildcrafters and educators in our exploration of the Sierra Foothills' native and feral flora. We will visit a local site for the investigation of the fall seasonal abundance. Emphasis will be on fruit, nut, and seed harvesting, plant identification, sustainable harvesting techniques, acorns as food, and medicine-making. Our goal is to send people home with a deeper understanding and appreciation of our local plants, their nutritional value, availability, usefulness, and importance. Please contribute to a picnic-style potluck lunch of wild, local, and /or seasonal ingredients.
Members $20.00
General Admission $20.00
Pre-registration Required. Space is limited!
Friday & Saturday, December 10-11, 2010; 7:00 PM (Friday), 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (Saturday)
The 13th Annual Fungus Foray
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Friday evening presentation Fungi of the Farm followed by field collection Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon displays, presentations, identification workshops and an array of fungus-inspired activities for the whole family. Concessions and mushroom merchandise available for sale. Bring a lunch and be prepared to walk in the woods. Also useful: collection basket, waxed paper bags, knife, hand lens. Rain or shine event.
It is not necessary to pre-register for this event.
Friday Evening slideshow $7.00
Saturday Event $18 YWI Members, $20 General Admission; half day $12
Under 18 free
Winter/Spring 2010
Our Ecological Puzzle-
Three programs on Putting the Pieces Together
SPECIES
Part 1: Influential Plants and Animals of the San Juan Ridge
Friday, February 12, 2010 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
A panel presentation exploring the specific plant and animal species that contribute to the ecological foundation of the area. Four experts discuss the natural history and conservation challenges and implications for these ecologically significant species. Some of the species to be discussed, include: sugar pine, mountain lion, dusky-footed woodrat, foothill yellow-legged frog, goshawk, California spotted owl, pileated woodpecker, and more.
Panelists: Kathy Van Zuuk, Karen Wiese, Ted Beedy, Tom Van Wagner, Peter Stine
Members $7.00
General Admission $10.00
HABITAT
Part 2: Threats to Biodiversity: Conservation in Critical Habitats
Friday, March 12, 2010 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Two forest management specialists discuss the critical role riparian, hardwood and mature forest habitat types play in maintaining biodiversity while addressing the conservation issues and current threats they face.
Presenters: Joann Fites-Kaufman and Doug McCreary
Members $7.00
General Admission $10.00
THE GREATER LANDSCAPE
Part 3: Landscape-scale Conservation: Creating and Linking Islands of Refugia
Thursday, April 29, 2010 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
How can you help to put the pieces together? This program engages private landowners in a discussion about how, within the public/private land matrix, we as individuals can restore and maintain healthy islands of biodiversity that can create refugia for species across the greater landscape. Private land can play an essential role in connecting these islands. Land management practices, long-term conservation strategies and their applications will be explored.
Members $7.00
General Admission $10.00
Understanding Bird Song
A presentation with naturalist and author David Lukas
Saturday, April 17, 2010, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
The APPLE Center for Sustainable Living, 412 Commercial Street, downtown Nevada City
Spring is here and birds will soon be singing everywhere. For most of us, learning how to identify birds by their songs is an overwhelming task, so this evening program focuses instead on understanding how birds sing, why they make different types of vocalizations, and how birds use vocalizations to organize their social communities. Come open your ears and learn how to understand what the birds are saying.
$7 General
$5 YWI and APPLE Members
Bridgeport Bird Walk with David Lukas
Sunday, April 18, 2010, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
South Yuba State Park, Bridgeport
Meet at the Buttermilk Bend Trailhead parking lot
Following the evening bird song presentation, or for anyone who wants to go on a delightful spring bird walk along the South Yuba River, join us in search of singing birds that we can admire, identify and discuss.
$10 General
$7 YWI Members
Foraging Skills for Edible and Medicinal Plants
A field seminar with Matt and Rachel Berry and Daniel Nicholson
Saturday, April 24, 2010, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Dancing Pines Farm on the San Juan Ridge
Come discover the richness of the Sierra Foothills’ native and wild springtime flora. Join us as we explore native bulbs, herbs, and spring greens. Discussions will include: making cordage, fermentations, plant identification tips, strategies for improving wild food production, sustainable harvest techniques, and a medicine-making demonstration. Acorn processing as well as the uses of native trees is another focus of the day. Our goal is to send people home with a deeper understanding and appreciation of our local plants, their nutritional value, availability, usefulness, and importance. Potluck lunch encouraging wild, local, and seasonal ingredients.
$25 General Admission
$20 YWI Members
Space is limited. Pre-registration Required.
Water Bugs: A Magical Underwater World
Saturday, May 8, 2010, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
On Deer Creek just one mile from downtown Nevada City
Join Lisa Cutter of the California School of Flyfishing for this fun creekside adventure for kids! Through observation and interactive activities, children will learn how to identify aquatic insects in various life stages while discussing food chains, fish and watershed health. Bring a picnic lunch. Wear river shoes or rain boots and don’t forget a change of clothes. Suitable for children 3-8 years of age. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Per-child:
$20 General
$15 YWI, SYRCL, FoDC Members
Space is limited. Pre-registration Required.
Fire, Mining and Logging: The Long Ravine of the ‘Inimim Forest
A half-day trek in partnership with the Nevada County Land Trust
Saturday, May 15, 2010. 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Studying a forest through the clues of tree rings, size and ages of trees, composition of species and other details can tell the ecological history of that place. Yale-trained forest ecologist, Don Harkin, has been coring trees and making careful measurements of forest stands near North Columbia for 30 years. He will lead you on a walk that follows game trails and old skid roads for about 2 miles. This ravine is home to spotted owls, pileated woodpeckers and many mammals. Bring your own lunch, water and suitable attire for a walk in the woods.
Note: The program ends at 1 pm but for those who would like to stay longer, Don will be available for anyone who wants to learn about practice using the forest ecologist's tools of the trade.
$15.00 General
$12.00 YWI and NCLT Members
SOLD OUT!
Spring Fungus Field Seminar
With local fungus expert Daniel Nicholson
Saturday, May 22, 2010, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Meet at the Senior Center in North San Juan
Join local mycologist Daniel Nicholson and friends as we carpool with a small group to investigate the Sierra’s spring fungi. We will visit somewhat pre-determined fungal hot spots through the mid-elevations to snowline. Identification, foraging skills, edible fungi (morels and spring kings mostly), and snowmelt fungi will be the focus of discussions. As with most fungi events, it runs rain or shine.
Bring a sack lunch and be prepared for walking extensively through the woods.
$25 General Admission
$20 YWI Members
Space is limited. Pre-registration Required.
For more information for this event only contact Daniel Nicholson at danmadrone@gmail.com
Fall 2009
Living Wild and Local- An Evening of Native Food and Art from the Plants of This Place
Saturday, October 24, 2009 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Hosted By The Living Wild Project at the Lodge at Camp Augusta
The native plants growing around us are a truly local and sustainable resource since they only use the rain for water needs, provide habitat corridors for wildlife, and offer food specific to the wild and human animals living in this place.
Join the Yuba Watershed Institute for an evening of food and art recognizing the environment around us. Watch wild-crafting demonstrations. Taste appetizers and desserts developed with native plants by the finest chefs in Nevada County and nominate your favorite recipe for the “Wild Chef Award.” Sip healthy homebrewed beer and wine made from wild plants. Experience the beauty of functional wild art through demonstrations, exhibits and sales by local artisans including: hand-crafted chairs, pottery made from native clays, jewelry from plants, baskets woven from Ceanothus, Cattail, and Pine Needle and traditional Maidu Indian crafts..
Proceeds go to support the educational activities of the Yuba Watershed Institute and the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe.
Tickets must be purchased in advance of the event! Space is limited, so reserve early.
YWI and Tsi-Akim Tribal Members $35
General Admission $40
Download Living Wild and Local Printable Flyer
Save the Big Trees of the 'Inimim Forest Volunteer Workday
Saturday, November 14, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Join the Yuba Watershed Institute and the Bureau of Land Management for the people-powered removal of highly flammable ladder fuels from large diameter trees in Long Ravine in the ‘Inimim Forest. Come experience draft horse logging techniques, demonstrated by Helen and Brent McDermott and their horse Mac, which could be applied on your own forested property to minimize ground disturbance and damage to residual trees. Please bring your own lunch, water, work gloves and hand tools (hand saws, loppers, etc.). While this is a free event, we strongly encourage volunteer pre-registration.
Foraging Skills Workshop for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Saturday, November 21, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Meet at the North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Do you know how many wild and feral edibles are in your foodshed? Want to be more self-sufficient and connected with nature by wild-crafting with plants for all your needs? We will spend the day uncovering the abundance of useful plants that surround us all. We will cover how to identify plants, their nutritional and medicinal values, strategies for enhancing wild food production and sustainable harvesting methods. We will have fun making wild weed energy bars, manzanita cider and a medicinal preparation. Potluck local/wild lunch to share at midday. We will be in the field all day.
Instructors: Rachel and Matt Berry
YWI Members $15.00
General Admission $18.00
Pre-registration Recommended.
Download Course
Registration
The 12th Annual Fungus Foray
Friday and Saturday, December 11&12
Sacred Mushrooms: Paths in History and In Myth with Dale Pendell
Pre-event introductory slideshow and presentation
Friday, December 11, 7:30PM
The North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Presenter: Daniel Nicholson and Friends
$7.00 Suggested Donation
The Fungus Foray
Saturday, December 12, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Field collection Saturday morning will wrap up with an afternoon display table assembly, wild mushroom tasting, discussions and identification workshops and an array of fungus-inspired activities for the whole family. Concessions and mushroom merchandise available for sale. Bring a lunch and be prepared to walk in the woods. Also useful: collection basket, waxed paper bags, knife, hand lens. Rain or shine event.
Instructor: Daniel Nicholson and Friends
$18.00 YWI Members
$22.00 General Admission
Under 18 Free
It is not necessary to register for this event.
For more information, contact Daniel Nicholson 530/292.3589 or danmadrone@yahoo.co
Spring 2009
Homestead Forestry Weekend Intensive
Friday and Saturday, March 27 & March 28
Small Parcel Forest Management: A Slideshow Overview of Basic Techniques in Rural Homestead Forestry
Friday, March 27, 7:00 PM
The North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Come learn how to enjoy and preserve the forest land around your rural homestead. The evening is designed for rural/forest parcel owners concerned with the myriad issues of private land use. A wide variety of topics will be addressed, including: firewood, burn pile strategies, leaf composting, plant species diversity, hydrology and understanding your understory: fire hazard or great wildlife habitat?
$5.00-$10.00 Suggested Donation
Forest Skills Workshop
Saturday
, March 28, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Learn the specific tools to put to use on your own land. This demonstration-based workshop will present homestead scale examples of how to handle leaf litter, small brush, firewood and usable timber. Presentations will include: personal safety; hand tool, chain saw, chipper, wood splitter basics; how to put a new handle on an ax or maul; the use of splitting wedges; how to split a cedar fence rail; and milling of logs (Theo Killigrew). Pre-made sandwiches and lunch items will be available for purchase.
Instructor: Gary Parsons, Bob Erickson, Leslie Guinan, Theo and Michael Killigrew
$12.00 YWI Members
$15.00 General Admission
Pre-registration Recommended.
Animal Tracking and Nature Awareness: A Lecture and Tracking Field Seminar
Saturday, April 18, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Learn where to find animals and how to identify their tracks. Understanding the language and behavior of birds is central to the process. Asking questions from a curious and knowing place will be a powerful to to unlocking the world outside your door. After a lecture on the basics of tracking, there will be a walk in the field to explore some tracking hot spots. Bring a lunch and good walking shoes.
Instructor: Scot Woodland
$10 YWI Members
$12 General Admission
Pre-registration Recommended.
Flowers, Berries, Bark, and Leaves—A Natural Treasure Hunt for
Kids
Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM to Noon with a picnic lunch following
the workshop
Using a treasure map, we will discover the beauty and
uses of seasonal plants. The walk will conclude with plant stories, crafts,
and a take-home garden. Bring a picnic lunch. Meet at Mother Trucker’s
at 9:45 AM for carpooling and caravanning to Murphy Ranch.
Instructors: Alicia Funk and Julie Carville
Children of all ages free with registered adult. General: $20,
YWI and CNPS Members: $15
Pre-registration Required.
Download Course
Registration
Birds of the Yuba Watershed Weekend Intensive
May 1 & May 3
Birds of the Yuba Watershed Slideshow
Friday, May 1, 7:00 PM
Madelyn Helling Library Community Room
A slideshow introduction to the birds of this area
by David Lukas, the author of the revised Sierra Nevada Natural History,
Wild Birds of California, Watchable Birds of the Great Basin and Birds
of the San Juan Ridge. David
Lukas’ current book project, Field guide to the Birds of the Sierra
Nevada, is a joint project with Ted Beedy.
Presenter: David Lukas
$5.00 Suggested Donation
Revealing the Magic of Birds
Sunday, May 3, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
Join us for this rare opportunity to learn about bird flight and anatomy. In
this in-depth workshop we will first explore the ways that feathers, bones,
muscles, and digestion help a bird fly. Then we will dissect a pigeon to see
how all the parts fit together. At the end of the workshop you will never see
birds in the same way again! Bring a lunch and your curiosity.
Instructor: David Lukas
$35.00 YWI Members
$45.00 General Admission
Pre-registration Required.
Download Course Registration
The Coast Horned Lizard—A presentation and
field seminar with Jackson Shedd
Saturday, May 9, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
An introduction to this rare animal’s natural
history, where it is found in California and its apparent disappearance.
We will visit Bald Mountain in search of them in their natural environment.
Bring a lunch and be prepared for hiking.
Instructor: Jackson Shedd
$10 YWI Members
$12 General Admission
Pre-registration Recommended.
Download Coast Horned
Lizard Flyer
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Registration
Serpentine Soils and Vegetation—A
field seminar with Hugh Safford
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Meet at North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
This hands-on, informal field seminar will cover the general ecology and geologic features of serpentine soils and their accompanying vegetation in the Sierra Nevada.
Instructor: Hugh Safford
$10 YWI Members
$12 General Admission
Pre-registration Recommended.
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