Quail Hollow Ranch County Park Spring Newsletter

 

Spring Camp

April 6 -10

offered at

Quail Hollow Ranch this year. Full childcare from 7:30AM- 6:30PM for the 5 days is available. Check out our website or the activity mailer for more information!

A link to the Quail Hollow Ranch Facebook page. https://www.facebook. com/QuailHollowRanchCoPark 

Howdy!

Recently I have been reminded of how wild and delicate Quail Hollow Ranch truly is. On any given day during this unnervingly dry winter you can see several distinct groups of deer, a group of 10+ wild turkeys, 3 Canada Geese, and a large array of birds. The park, with its 300 acres, boasts close to 30% of all the biodiversity that exists within Santa Cruz County.

In the past few months, we have learned just how active our megafauna population really is, with a lot of mountain lion sightings, and even more views of bobcats. Coyote, which used to inhabit our meadow each evening, have rarely been seen. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough (along with a few other visitors) to watch through binoculars as a large coyote sunned and cleaned itself, and was finally chased off by a momma deer.

My point is, this park is extremely special! Please keep coming back to enjoy the flora and fauna, hike the trails, and chat with me or other park visitors. Please keep providing suggestions and feedback, sharing your stories and wildlife sightings.

This season’s newsletter features updates about new programs, new construction projects, and a couple stories. For the practical information about dates and times of programs, please refer to the second half of the newsletter which included a calendar and list of events with descriptions.

Good things to come,

Dan Lazarus, Park Interpreter

Quail Hollow Ranch is offering outdoor science field trips for schools around Santa Cruz County. Do you know a teacher or class that would be interested? Tell them about Quail Hollow Ranch! “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge” -A.E

QUAIL HOLLOW RANCH NEWSLETTER SPRING 2020

AmeriCorpsteamGOLD7This year Santa Cruz County Parks has been lucky enough to benefit from this wonderful team of individuals. Gold 7 is a group of folks ages 18-26 from across the country who are spending a year doing volunteer work. While with our County Parks system, they have been working on restoration projects throughout the county, from Boulder Creek to Watsonville. Quail Hollow Ranch is benefiting from their work in two main ways. First, each Tuesday our beloved trail crew has been bolstered by several of the AmeriCorps team, which has allowed the trail crew to complete some large projects in a relatively short period of time. Besides the added labor, the intergenerational cooperation is extremely valuable for all involved. A picture of the split rail fence built by the crew on the discovery trail is featured above. In addition to the trail crew work, I am working with a group of four of the AmeriCorps team every Thursday to develop a field trip curriculum based around pollinator gardens, as part of a larger effort to create a pollinator corridor through SLV, down to the ocean. This curriculum will go out to teachers next fall where it will be taught in class, and up at the Ranch.

Summer is just around the corner. Head to the Parks website for a full list of Quail Hollow Ranch SummerCamps and sign your explorer up today! For any questions about camps, please call Dan at (831) 335-9348.

I’M ON A MISSION AND YOU ARE PART OF IT! Whether we have met or not, come chat with me and let’s find a way to connect, partner, and learn from one another. I am in my office at QHR usually Wed-Th and Sa-Su. Send me an e-mail or try my cell 831-210-2110

QUAIL HOLLOW RANCH NEWSLETTER SPRING 2020

 

Thanks to DebbieNoda for this amazing shot of a bobcat in late February on the discovery loop. She took a wonderful video of this bobcat walking with its lunch, a gopher, in its mouth just moments after this photo was taken. This spring we are hosting a very exciting new program in partnership with the Resource Conservation District. CouldRestoringHabitatforSalmonAlsoProtectOurCreeksideHomes?Talk and Tour - Sunday,May17from10AM‐1PM Is a log jam good or bad? How does sediment impact our local salmon? What is the importance of vegetation along a creek? Join us for a talk and tour to explore these complex questions and discuss options for reestablishing the valuable natural functions of the creeks in our own backyards. We will tour the newly completed Zayante Creek Habitat Restoration Project on Upper Zayante Creek. Hosted by the Resource Conservation District (RCD) and the County of Santa Cruz. Space is limited. Please RSVP.

PleaseconsiderchoosingFriendsofQuailHollowasyourbeneficiarywhenshoppingonAmazon! Friends of Quail Hollow has joined AmazonSmile. To support charities and non-profits, Amazon will contribute a small percentage of the cost of items ordered from Amazon to the non-profit of your choice. There is no additional charge to you for any order. It is an easy way to support the Friends in our efforts to preserve and improve Quail Hollow Ranch County Park. See this video to find out how, and search for “friends of quail hollow”. Hint: instead of amazon.com, you’ll go to smile.amazon.com. Thank you so much!

QUAIL HOLLOW RANCH NEWSLETTER SPRING 2020

Coming up at Quail Hollow Ranch OUR MISSION: To promote the stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of Quail Hollow Ranch and Santa Cruz County

NEWSLETTER STAFF: Dan Lazarus - Park Naturalist Kathy DeWild Program Supervisor - Editor

CONTACT US: 831-335-9348 Dan.lazarus @santacruzcounty.us www.scparks.com

Mail to: 979 17th Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062 Facebook & Twitter: @SCParksDept Instagram: santacruzcountyparks

For Goodness Snakes: A Live and Interactive Reptile Program Sunday, March 15 12-1PM Fee: $3 For ages 7 & up Please call to sign up  In this exciting and interactive presentation, you’ll get a chance to see and hold (only if you want to!) a blue‐tongued skink, four different kinds of ball pythons, and a 13‐ ft. albino Burmese python! Brian will discuss snake senses and how these animals live and interact with the wild. For the past 15 years Brian Gundy of For Goodness Snakes has been educating and entertaining children and adults with his reptile friends. He has worked with exotic animals such as birds of prey, African lions, Cheetahs, and domesticated animals of all kinds.  Mushrooms 3 in 1 Sunday, March 22, 9AM-1PM Fee: $5 Please call to sign-up Join enthusiasts from the Santa Cruz Fungus Federation for a trio of activities!  First, a docent‐led walk will focus on local habitats where mushrooms are found and the roles fungi play in the ecosystem, as well as mushroom identification and documenting observations with the iNaturalist application. Next, enjoy a hands‐on demonstration of economical techniques for growing your own mushrooms using readily available materials. Emphasis will be on using recycled or waste materials to produce your own edible or medicinal mushrooms. Finally, participants will learn practical mushroom cooking techniques in the Quail Hollow kitchen from a local chef and sample some savory mushroom treats.  All ages welcome, but those age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  

Beginning Birding Sunday, 8-10 AM, April 5 and May 3 Join Jim Williams, President, Friends of Quail Hollow  Ranch,  and  an  avid  birder  for  a leisurely hike through Quail Hollow in search of  our  fine,  feathered  friends.    Previous birding  experience  not  required;  open  to anyone  interested  in birds and  their antics. Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Bring binoculars and a field guide (if you have them), and some drinking water.  Free, drop-in. All ages . Star Gazing at Quail Hollow Fri., Mar. 13, Apr. 24 & May 15 - 9PM-12AM Some  people  promise  the  stars;  the  Santa Cruz Astronomy Club delivers! Come to Quail Hollow Ranch County Park where, gazing up at the night skies, you'll travel through space to see  images  like the earth's moon and all its  craters  and  mountains,  Jupiter  and  its moons, and  the  rings of Saturn. Bring your own  telescope  or  just  stop  by  and  look through  member's  telescopes.  Rain  or cloudy  skies  cancels  the program.   All ages welcome.  Free.  Garden Art Mosaic Class Parents and children will find joy in creating a lovely mosaic wall plaque using glass tiles and ceramic pieces. Instruction in basic techniques and all materials will be provided. Each participant will take home a completed piece of art. This is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day! Instructor: Nancy Howells. *Under the age of 15 must attend with an adult, who is also registered for the class. **A $6.00 per‐participant materials fee is due to the instructor the day of the class. Register at scparks.com or call (831) 454‐7941.  Quail Hollow Ranch ‐ All ages* Su   5/10    1‐3 PM     $40/$44**     #7781

Nature Journaling Workshop Sunday, March 15, 10AM-12PM Fee: $5 Whether you are a seasoned Nature Journaler, a first 

timer, or a teacher looking to enrich your student’s 

observational skills, you are invited to join us for this 

two‐hour workshop of nature exploration. We will 

spend the entire time outside working on different 

activities that heighten our senses and push us to 

look and think deeper. If you are looking for a chance 

to better your recording skills, and just take some 

time to slow down and appreciate Quail Hollow for 

the beautiful and serene open space that it is, this 

workshop is for you! Open to ages 7 & up.   Call to 

sign up. 

Trek to the Forbidden Sandhills Every Sunday in April 10AM-12PM Join a guided tour with Park Docent Sean Wharton to see and learn about the many rare species that make this special place their home; this is the only time to visit the flower‐covered hills of the sandhills habitat.  Bring good walking shoes, a hat for shade, drinking water, and a camera (optional).  Due to the sensitive nature of the area, group size is limited to 15; call in advance to reserve your space. *Open to ages 8 & up; must be able to hike for two hours.    Introduction to Fly Fishing Workshop Sunday, May 31, 10AM-3PM Fee: $3 Here’s your chance to acquaint yourself with all the knowledge and gear needed to fly fish successfully. A casting master will lead a workshop for novice and intermediate casters. Bring your own rod and reel or use club rods provided. Expert club fly‐tiers will demonstrate different flies and tying techniques with extra tables to try your hand at tying while getting expert instruction. A free BBQ lunch and cold drinks will be offered.  For ages 8 & up.   The Mountain Lions of Ben Lomond  & the Santa Cruz Mountains Tuesday, May 19, 5-7PM Fee: $3 Now in its 12th year, the Santa Cruz Puma Project has made great strides in understanding our elusive top predator, the mountain lion. In this talk, Chris Wilmers (the project leader) will discuss research findings over the past 12 years.  Come hear about mountain lion behavior and ecology, food habits, how they communicate with each other and find mates, where they like to hang out, how many calories they expend moving around and killing prey, what they think of us, and more!  For ages 16 & up. Call to sign up.   

Quail Hollow Ranch House History Tour

Sunday, April 26 and May 24, 1-3 PM Fee: $2 Do you enjoy looking through old buildings and learning about their stories? Join history docent, Richard James, on a tour of the Quail Hollow Ranch House and learn about the history of Sun‐Kissed Ranch, Sunset Magazine, and the pioneer families who made the ranch their business, home, and vacation haven. Open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult  Full Moon Walk Sunday, March 9, 9-11PM Free Come join us for a quiet exploration of Quail Hollow Ranch, under the moonlight. This evening has two options for adventure. The first is a one‐hour guided hike on the lower trails where you can search for critters and meander through the forest. The second option is a two‐hour guided hike that will bring you to the Sunset Trail overlook, the highest point and largest vista in the park. Bring flashlights and/or a headlamp (though we may try to hike without them), and some drinking water. Dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. *Ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. We will meet at the ranch house and split into groups before heading out.  Call to sign up (831) 335‐9348.   Su   3/9   9‐11 PM    Free     Ages 12+*        Breadmaking Learn artisanal bread‐making techniques including care and feeding of your sourdough starter, bread proofing baskets and bread cooking cloches, and the vital stages of the bread‐making process. We’ll discuss the science behind successful bread‐making, including types of flour and the chemistry of wheat, water and salt in dough formation. A no‐knead sourdough bread will be demonstrated. You will go home with a starter and recipes; the bread made in this course will be easy to re‐create at home. Instructor:  Patricia Davis of Quail Hollow Kitchens delights in teaching farm‐style cooking. She has a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from UCSD, and was voted Edible Monterey Bay “Best Food Artisan” in 2016. She has been teaching cooking classes since 2013. Visit  www.quailhollowkitchens.com/sccp for more information.  Register online at scparks.com or call (831) 454‐7941.  Quail Hollow Ranch ‐ Age 18+ Sa  4/25  11 AM‐2 PM     $75/$83     #8627 

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4

5

6 7

8

9 Full moon walk Free

10 11 12 13 Star Party

14

15 Nature Journaling 10-12 $5 For Goodness Snakes 12-1PM $3

16 17

18

19 School field trip

20

21

22 Mushrooms 3 in 1 $5

23 24

25

26 School field trip

27 28

29 30 31

March 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 School field trip

3

4

5 Beginning Birding 8- 10AM Sandhills 10-12

6 Spring Camp

7 Spring Camp

8 Spring Camp

9 Spring Camp

10 Spring Camp

11

12 Sandhills 10-12

13 14

15

16 School field trip

17 Star Party

18

19 Sand hills 10-12 Edible Landscapes 1-3 (FULL)

20 21

22

23 School field trip

24 Star Party

25 Artisan Breadmaking 11AM-2PM $75/$83     #8627 Register in advance

26 Sandhills 10-12 House History Tour 1- 3PM $2

27 28 29 30 school field trip

April 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

May 2020

1

2

3 Beginning birding 8-10AM

4 5 6 7 School field trip

8 9

10 Garden art mosaic class 1-3 $40/$44**     #7781 Register in advance

11 12

13

14 School field trip

15 Star Party

16

17 Could restoring salmon habitat also protect our Creekside homes? RCD 10-1 sign up! $3

18

19 The Mountain Lions of Ben Lomond & the Santa Cruz Mountains Tuesday, May 19, 5-7PM Fee: $3

20

21

22 23

24 House History Tour 1-3 $2

25 26 27 28 29 30

31 Fly Fishing workshop 10-3 $3