Friends of China Camp Did you know that the indigenous Coast Miwok and Ohlone peoples have been master gardeners for thousands of years? Early Europeans described them as hunter-gatherers, but in reality there is much greater depth and complexity to their relationship to the land as they “tended the wild." Join naturalist Jerry Coe... Read more »
Which thrush is which? Join our birding class and gain the skills to find out! As the first flowers appear in February, local thrush species begin to migrate to their breeding grounds. In the Bay Area, the hermit and the Swainson’s thrush will effectively “switch” places; just as the hermit... Read more »
Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald Join us as we discuss Helen Macdonald’s book, Vesper Flights, for this month’s interactive online book club. Macdonald, author of the award winning book H is for Hawk, offers a compilation of essays chronicling her astute observations about the natural world. Friends of China Camp... Read more »
One of the great treasures in our park is the daily chorus of birdsong that echoes throughout the oak woodland forest. Among the avian symphony, there is a family of birds that play the part of the percussionists; joining the ensemble not just with their voice, but with the rhythmic... Read more »
During this relaxing morning stroll, you will learn how to identify birds by their shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. We will also discuss how to effectively use essential tools like binoculars and bird identification guides. Feeling rusty on your birding skills? Not a problem, this class is perfect for... Read more »
Join us as we walk through Back Ranch Meadows and discuss the deep relationship that Coast Miwok people have had with the plants and animals at China Camp. When Spaniards arrived to colonize the bay area in the 1700’s, they described Miwok peoples as hunter-gatherers. They did not see fences... Read more »
Bring dad along for this fun father's day hike with naturalist Harold Hirsch. What better way to celebrate dad than to share the open sky and bay breezes. Learn about the flora and fauna of the oak woodland habitat on this easy, 3 mile loop which will feature beautiful bay... Read more »
Join us as we discuss The Edge: The Pressured Past and Precarious Future of California’s Coast, written by Kim Steinhardt and Gary Griggs. Steinhardt, a writer and nature photographer, and Griggs, an earth sciences professor at University of California in Santa Cruz, present a timeline of the environmental and social... Read more »
There will be a footrace beginning at Miwok Meadows picnic area on Sunday, July 18th, 2021. Please be advised that there will be increased foot traffic from 8:30am until 1pm as a result. Plan your trip to the park accordingly. Check out the Sasquatch Racing event website for more information.... Read more »
Moonrise over Rat Rock by Steve Ziman July “Buck Moon”The “buck moon” is named for the season when bucks begin to grow new antlers. For this full moon hike, we will go on a moderately strenuous, 4-mile round-trip hike and watch the radiant full moon cast glittering light over the... Read more »
In the summer, when many bird species are wrapping up nesting in China Camp, warbling vireos are just starting to raise their young here. A great place to look for them is in the tall trees surrounding Miwok Meadows. With a little practice, you can identify these beautiful seasonal visitors. ... Read more »
Join us for this month’s Junior Ranger Program. We’ll investigate nature’s works of art and musical sounds hidden amongst the trees, grasses, and marshland at China Camp Village. We will search for examples of beautiful art in nature, like the patterns in spider webs or whorls in tree bark. Then... Read more »
