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Source: MTRP
May 1, 2019 (San Diego) - Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) has a series of events coming up in May, from a Kumeyaay ethnobotany presentation to star parties, guided hikes, a live hawk demonstration and more. Scroll down for details. Plus, the annual MTRP photo competition ends May 3rd and will be on display starting May 11. Click here for more information.
Kumeyaay Ethnobotany Presentation and Book Signing
Presented by Michael Wilken-Robertson, Anthropologist
Thursday, May 16
MTRP Visitor & Interpretive Center
6:30 PM: Booksigning + Traditional Arts Sale with presentation beginning at 7 PM
Tickets: $10
The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation invites the community to a presentation by Michael Wilken-Robertson, award-winning author of Kumeyaay Ethnobotany. Wilken-Robertson’s research and advocacy work has explored traditional arts (pottery, basketry, oral narratives, and song), ethnobotany, history, languages, and cultural landscapes of the indigenous peoples of the northern Baja California region.
Wilken-Robertson will discuss the interdependence between native peoples and native plants of the Californias through in-depth descriptions of native plants and their uses, lively narratives, and vivid photographs. The presentation will also explore the fascinating world of northern Baja California’s original peoples and their descendants, whose profound knowledge of the land has sustained them from ancient times to the present.
A book signing and sale of unique traditional arts (baskets, pottery, jewelry) will take place beginning at 6:30 PM, with the lecture beginning at 7PM in the MTRP Visitor Center Theater.
Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Mammals of San Diego County Presentation and Book Signing
Presented by Scott Tremor, Mammalogist
Saturday, May 11
Guided Nature WalksWalks led by MTRP volunteer Trail Guides are free and no reservations are required, but canceled if raining. Please wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and bring bottled water.
Walks from the Visitor Center
9:30-11 AM every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
Walks at Kumeyaay Lake Campground
8:30-10 AM on May 11 and 25, and each 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month
Lake Murray Walk and Talk
9-10:30 AM May 21 and each 3rd Tuesday of the month
Meet at the Ball Fields in April
Join MTRP Trail Guides and the La Mesa Walk and Talk group for an informative talk and easy guided walk along the scenic shores of Lake Murray. April's topic is coyotes. Click here for directions and more information.
Nature Walk at the West Sycamore Staging Area (Scripps Ranch)
8-9:30 AM Sunday, May 26
Join Ranger Andrew Miller at the park's West Sycamore Staging Area (located at the far east end of Stonebridge Parkway in Scripps Ranch) for a nature walk that will focus on the plant communities and animals commonly found at West Sycamore. Learn more
Wildlife Tracking Walks
8:30AM, Saturday, May 4 and each 1st Saturday of the month. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Birds and Birding
Live Hawk Demonstration
9 AM-12 PM, Sunday, May 5
Join Falconer Bob Gordon and "Huxley" the Harris hawk the 1st Sunday of the month in the Visitor Center lobby. Get up close and personal with this amazing bird of prey.
Bird Walk with Jeanne Raimond and Millie Basden
8-10 AM, Saturday, May 18 and each 3rd Saturday
Join MTRP birders for a guided bird walk at historic Old Mission Dam. The mating/nesting season is in progress and many birds will be in full song. Come enjoy the symphony! Up to eight warbler species may be spotted. Meet in the Old Mission Dam parking lot. Click here for information.
Birding Basics Class at the Visitor Center
1 PM, Saturday, May 25 and the last Saturday of the month
Join MTRP Trail Guide and experienced birder Winona Sollock for an educational bird identification class. Increase your enjoyment of nature by learning five simple techniques to identify birds at a glance. You will also learn how to use a field guide, so bring one along if you have it. The class is free and open to all, with no reservations required.
Art + Music at the MTRP Visitor Center
The Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation organizes art exhibitions at the MTRP Visitor Center and the artwork on view is available for purchase, with a portion of the sales benefiting the park.
Nature's Impressions
Through May 10, 2019
This exhibition features paintings by Thomas Franco (right), Ralph Kingery, and Catie Somers.
MTRP 27th Annual Amateur Photo Contest
May 11 through June 21, 2019
Awards Presentation: Sunday, June 9, 2-4 PM
View all of the entries in the annual MTRP photo contest and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award.
May 1 through June 30, 2019
Artists are invited to submit work to be displayed at the MTRP Visitor & Interpretive Center. The application process is as easy as filling out the application form, submitting 3 high-resolution digital images of your work, and sending a $20 check or money order payable to MTRP Foundation. The exhibitions are limited to wall-hung, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional works, and the exhibition can showcase one artist, as well as small or large groups. Learn more.
Native American Flute Circle
1-3 PM Sunday, May 12 and each 2nd Sunday of the month
Musicians specializing in playing Native American flutes will perform in our outdoor amphitheater, or in the Visitor Center theater on very hot or rainy days. Free, with no registration required.
Activities for Families
Discovery Tables: 10 AM-1 PM May 11 and each 2nd Saturday of the month
Stop by the Discovery Table in the lobby of the Visitor Center to learn about this month's theme, bird nests.
Nature Story and Craft with a Ranger
10-11 AM, May 18 and each 3rd Saturday
Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s Picnic Shelter
Children ages 5-10 are invited to join Ranger Heidi for a nature story, followed by an arts-and-crafts project related to the story. This program is free, but registration is required. RSVP by calling Ranger Heidi at (619) 668-3279.
Family Discovery Walks: 3 PM May 26 and each 4th Sunday; meet at the Visitor Center
MTRP Trail Guides also offer these walks to help children discover the wonder and beauty of nature. The trails used are easy, but have uneven surfaces and some involve steps, so be sure to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring along water. A hat and sunscreen are also recommended. The walks are free and open to the public, with no reservations required, but cancelled if raining.
Star Parties at MTRP
Join members from the San Diego Astronomy Association and MTRP volunteers for viewings of the night sky through telescopes. Please avoid the use of flashlights and white light in the area of the events. Cloudy skies and/or rain cancels the event. Free, and no registration is necessary.
Kumeyaay Lake Campground
7-10 PM May 3
Members of the San Diego Astronomy Association will be set up with their telescopes at the far end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s Day Use Lot.
7-10 PM May 11
Join MTRP Trail Guide and amateur astronomer George Varga and his telescope at the far end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground’s Day Use Lot.
West Sycamore Staging Area in Scripps Ranch
7:30-10:30 PM May 17
Members of the San Diego Astronomy Association will be set up with their telescopes at MTRP's West Sycamore Staging Area. Meet in the parking lot at the far east end of Stonebridge Parkway.
Volunteer Work Crews
There are many ways to volunteer at MTRP, including joining one of our Volunteer work crews.
Each month, MTRP Rangers lead weekend morning crews to do projects around the park. The groups include:
- Trail Improvement Crew
- Park Beautification Crew
- Habitat Restoration Crew
- West Sycamore Crew
For information including how to register, click this link and scroll to the second page.
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