Friends of China Camp

POSTPONED: Indigenous Storytelling and Songs
2021-09-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
The Coast Miwok Storytelling and Songs event on September 25th has been postponed to October.

We apologize for the inconvenience and we will let you know the new date of the event as soon as possible.

IN CELEBRATION OF HERITAGE MONTH:
Why did the trickster god Coyote steal music from Water, the sacred being?
What is a clapper stick? How do you play it?
Join us for a fun, family-friendly program as we listen to traditional Coast Miwok folktales and sing songs in the Coast Miwok language. This program will be led by Alicia Mary Retes, storytelling performer throughout the Greater Bay Area, and a Mayo/Yaqui descendant.
Not only is Alicia an engaging storyteller, she also composes songs in the Miwok language. Be prepared to sing along as she performs with elderberry clapper sticks.
This program is great for children, but all ages are welcome!

Date: Saturday, September 25
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Miwok Meadows. Location details provided upon registration.
Free (donations appreciated).

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited and reservations are required.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
You will be notified of cancellations via email.

Online: Naturalist Book Club
2021-09-26 19:00 - 20:00
NATURAL HISTORY OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY: ENVISIONING MYTH AND HISTORY
BY ARIEL RUBISSOW & KATHLEEN WONG
Join this month’s naturalist book club as we discuss the Natural History of San Francisco Bay. This edition of the California Natural History Guides, published by the University of California Press, is very close to China Camp’s salt-marshy heart. Authors Ariel Rubissow and Kathleen Wong provide a comprehensive overview of the San Francisco estuary; its ebbing tides, geological origins, and the impact human development has had on the bay’s complex biodiversity.
Excerpt from Bayariel.com:
”This book, part of the California Natural History Guide series, includes over 300 pages of text, color photographs, maps and charts. At its most basic level, Natural History of San Francisco Bay tells the reader what lives in the Bay, how its waters move and change, and whether it is safe to swim in or eat fish caught from the Bay. On a deeper level, it offers an overview of how the Bay became the most altered and invaded estuary in the world, describes how history has shaped its present shores, and explores how recent generations of activists and scientists have rekindled interest in the Bay’s current and future health.”

Date: Sunday, September 26
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Zoom meeting (details emailed once space is reserved).

REGISTER HERE

Space limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Park Champion Volunteer Event
2021-10-02 09:00 - 12:30
Join other volunteers on our first Park Champions event of the year, sponsored by the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) in partnership with Friends of China Camp. This is the perfect opportunity to get a great workout, enjoy nature, and help out our park all at once.
For this event, we’ll focus on grooming 1-2 miles of our popular multi-use trails. We’ll cut back overgrowth, weed-whip encroaching plants, rake off slough, break down berms, and restore trails to their full width. Your efforts will improve visibility and help reduce runoff and erosion once winter rains arrive (hopefully).

Date: Saturday, October 2nd
Time: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
REGISTER

Please note: Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the event is required for participation.
Please register on the CSPF website. Once registered, you will receive additional information about what to bring (in addition to your can-do attitude) and where to meet.
Wear long pants, long-sleeve shirt, and close-toed shoes. Bring a mask and work gloves. A hat and sunscreen are advised.
Ages 14 and older welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a waiver signed by a legal guardian).
Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to park and check in. Be sure to bring your signed waiver (included with your registration).

ADVISORY: Footrace
2021-10-10 09:00 - 13:00
There will be a footrace beginning at Miwok Meadows on October 10th from 9am-1pm. Please expect increased foot traffic on Shoreline Trail in between Miwok Meadows and the Back Ranch Meadows Campground entrance.
Go to the Tamalpa Runners website for more details.

Full Moon Hike
2021-10-20 17:30 - 19:30
October “Hunter’s Moon”
This month, we will be on the hunt…for a hunter. However the only hunting we’ll allow in our park is the hunt for extraordinary natural and celestial beauty! Join us for a special trek to seek out October’s ‘Hunter’s moonrise”. Docents Harold Hirsch and Brendan Clifford will guide us on a moderately strenuous, 4-mile round-trip hike to a breathtaking vista point where we will watch the radiant full moon cast glittering light over the bay. The “Hunter’s Moon” is named for the beginning of autumn, the time of year when Europeans traditionally hunted in preparation for the long winter. Suitable for kids ages 10+.

Date: Wednesday, October 20
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Difficulty: moderately strenuous, 4 miles round-trip
Bring warm clothing, water, and a flashlight, and wear appropriate hiking shoes.
Note: This hike will begin at 5:30 sharp, so don’t be late or you’ll miss the fun!

REGISTER HERE

Fee: $5 non-members; FOCC members free
Space is limited; reservations required.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.
Photo credit: Visitors enjoying moonrise, Sheila Coll

Junior Ranger Program
2021-10-23 10:00 - 12:00
Creatures of the Night – Owls, Bats & Spiders!
Why do owls hunt at night? How do bats ‘see’ their prey when it is pitch black? Why do spiders build webs? Join us for a special spooky Halloween- themed family program as we discover how these creatures use their special powers to survive and thrive in the dark. This program will be guided by naturalist/educators Suzanne Mirviss and Paula O’Connell.

Date: Saturday, October 23
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Village Beach
Ages: 7 to 9 years
Dress in layers for changeable weather. Bring snacks and water.

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.
Photo credit: Barn owl by Sharif Uddin | Macaulay Library

SAN PEDRO ROAD CLOSURE: Marin Triathlon
2021-10-30 08:00 - 13:00
ADVISORY: The Marin County Triathalon will take place on October 30th from 7:30am to 1pm. San Pedro Road will be closed from Main Drive to Back Ranch Meadows kiosk. The north entrance of the park and Back Ranch Meadows kiosk and campground will remain open.
Go to trisignup.com for more information.

SAN PEDRO ROAD CLOSURE: Marin 1/2 Marathon
2021-10-31 07:30 - 13:00
ADVISORY: The Marin County 1/2 Marathon will take place on October 31st from 7:30am to 1pm. San Pedro Road will be closed from Main Drive to Back Ranch Meadows kiosk. The north entrance of the park and Back Ranch Meadows kiosk and campground will remain open. Shoreline Trail will also be heavily impacted with foot traffic during that time. Go to trisignup.com for more information.

Online: Naturalist Book Club
2021-10-31 19:00 - 20:00
This Month’s Selection:
THE ARBORNAUT BY MEG LOWMAN
Join this month’s naturalist book club as we discuss The Arbornaut. Author and biologist Meg Lowman invites the reader high into the canopy as she shares her adventures, scientific research, and climate activism.

Excerpt from Bayariel.com:
”Nicknamed the “Real-Life Lorax” by National Geographic, the biologist, botanist, and conservationist Meg Lowman—aka “CanopyMeg”—takes us on an adventure into the “eighth continent” of the world’s treetops, along her journey as a tree scientist, and into climate action…

A blend of memoir and fieldwork account, The Arbornaut gives us the chance to live among scientists and travel the world—even in a hot-air balloon! It is the engrossing, uplifting story of a nerdy tree climber—the only girl at the science fair—who becomes a giant inspiration, a groundbreaking, ground-defying field biologist, and a hero for trees everywhere..”

Date: Sunday, October 31
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Zoom meeting (details emailed once space is reserved).

REGISTER HERE

Space limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Autumn Birding Hike
2021-11-06 08:00 - 10:00
Local birders know that in fall, the quiet and patient hiker at China Camp will be rewarded with the distinctive call of our beautiful winter residents, the golden-crowned sparrows. During the Gold Rush, Yukon miners noticed its slow descending three or four-note whistle-like call, and likened it to the pessimistic phrase “No gold here”- but we know these birds are as good as gold in their delightful presence! Around the autumn equinox, these winter residents usually make their way to the Bay Area from their summer homes in the icy tundra of Alaska and British Colombia.
Naturalist Jerry Coe will discuss these and other birds that we may spot on this month’s birding hike. He will show us how to identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat, and give tips on how to effectively use binoculars and bird guides.

Jerry Coe has over eight years of intensive training in ornithological field identification. He spent 15 years as a volunteer in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, using bird activities to assess the health of habitats. Jerry has also guided outdoor expeditions all over the world.

Date: Saturday, November 6
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Details emailed to you when you register.
Walking difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Photo credit: Golden-crowned sparrow by David M. Bell | Macaulay Library

Volunteer Workday: Trail Grooming
2021-11-13 09:00 - 12:30
FOCC volunteers lug fire hose to work site by Harriot Manley
In October volunteers from FOCC and California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) groomed almost 1 mile of trail. And guess what, there is still more to do! Surprise!
Come help! Get a great workout, enjoy nature, while supporting our park. No prior experience is needed. What is required is your team spirit and positive attitude.
We’ll focus on grooming 1+ miles of our popular multi-use trails. We’ll cut back overgrowth, weed-whip encroaching plants, rake away duff, and restore trails to their full width. Your efforts will improve visibility and help reduce erosion (assuming we have a wet winter!).
We are offering free camping the night before the event. This offer is open only to volunteers. Camping details will be sent to you after you register on the CSPF website. For more information about our campground go to https://friendsofchinacamp.org/visit-the-park/camping/.
Date: Saturday, November 13
Time: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
•Please register on the CSPF website. Once registered, you will receive additional information about what to bring and where to meet.
•Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and close-toed shoes. Bring a mask, work gloves, and two filled water containers. A hat and sunscreen are advised.
•Ages 14 and older are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a waiver signed by a legal guardian.
•Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to park, check in and to be ready for instructions. Be sure to bring your signed waiver (included with your registration).

Online: Naturalist Book Club
2021-11-28 19:00 - 20:00
GREAT ADAPTATIONS BY KENNETH CATANIA

Join this month’s online naturalist book club as we discuss Great Adaptations. In this book, author, biologist, and neuroscientist Kenneth Catania explores the peculiar morphology of some of the world’s most extraordinary animals and insects.

Excerpt from Amazon.com:
”From star-nosed moles that have super-sensing snouts to electric eels that paralyze their prey, animals possess unique and extraordinary abilities. In Great Adaptations, Kenneth Catania presents an entertaining and engaging look at some of nature’s most remarkable creatures. Telling the story of his biological detective work, Catania sheds light on the mysteries behind the behaviors of tentacled snakes, tiny shrews, zombie-making wasps, and more. He shows not only how studying these animals can provide deep insights into how life evolved, but also how scientific discovery can be filled with adventure and fun.”

Date: Sunday, November 28
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Zoom meeting (details emailed once space is reserved).

REGISTER HERE

Space limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

REGISTRATION FULL: King Tide Hike
2021-12-04 11:30 - 12:30, 2021-12-05 12:30 - 13:30
THE REGISTRATION FOR THESE EVENTS IS FULL.
Join scientist and educator Bella Mayorga from San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for a walk near the edge of China Camp’s tidal salt marsh during a “king tide,” the name for one of the highest tides of the year. We will learn about marsh species, current scientific research, and what king tides can teach us about sea level rise. Click here to see a time-lapse video of a King Tide at China Camp. Due to the popularity of this event, we will be offering two events this year. Please choose only one hike. This event is suitable for adults.

Date: Saturday, December 4 – REGISTRATION FULL
Time: 11:30 a.m.
-or-
Date: Sunday, December 5 – REGISTRATION FULL
Time: 12:30 p.m.

Location: Details provided upon registration. Please enter the park from the south entrance of San Pedro Rd. as the north entrance just south of the Back Ranch Meadows Campground Entrance, will likely flood.

Dress in layers for changeable weather. Bring snacks and water.

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Photo credit: King tide by Cyndy Pavlinac,California Coastal Commission King Tides Project

Winter Birding Hike
2021-12-11 08:00 - 10:00
White-faced ibis by Michael Brown/Macaulay Library
December is a great time to spot winter migrants, particularly waterfowl. One species of interest at China Camp is the white-faced ibis. These crow-sized birds use their long curving bills to seek out crunchy invertebrates among China Camp’s vast wetlands. The adult ibis has beautiful iridescent purple, green, and rust-colored plumage, with a white mask and a distinctive ruby eye.
Naturalist Jerry Coe will discuss these migratory birds and other species that we may spot on this month’s birding hike. He will show us how to identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. He’ll also give tips on how to effectively use binoculars and bird guides.

Jerry Coe has over eight years of intensive training in ornithological field identification. He spent 15 years as a volunteer in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, using bird activities to assess the health of habitats. Jerry has also guided outdoor expeditions all over the world.

Date: Saturday, December 11
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Details emailed to you when you register.
Walking difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

CANCELLED: Winter Naturalist Hike
2021-12-12 10:00 - 12:00
Photo Credit: Steve Ziman
This event has been canceled due to predicted stormy weather.

When you think of winter, you might imagine the snowy Sierra, when most animal and plant life enters a time of dormancy. Not so in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here, winter is a time of awakening and renewal after the long and dry summer and fall. As we are seeing all around us this year, rains bring the long-golden hills their first touch of green. Trees and shrubs begin to recharge their water stores, and animals busily graze on the emergence of sprouting plants and fungi. Join naturalist Harold Hirsch as he leads us on a hike to explore the new life brought to China Camp’s re-awakening landscape in winter.
Harold Hirsch has been a naturalist for China Camp for over 7 years. He has extensive research and knowledge about geology, natural history, and botany at China Camp.

Date: Sunday, December 12
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Details emailed to you when you register.
Difficulty: Moderate; 4 miles

This event is cancelled due to predicted stormy climate conditions.

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Full Moon Hike
2021-12-18 16:15 - 18:30
December “Cold Moon”
Bring your coat and mittens and join us for a special trek to view December’s “Cold Moon” as it rises into the night sky. December’s moon has a high trajectory across the sky, affording skygazers with a good view above the horizon line to have a longer time viewing the moonrise. Docent Harold Hirsch will guide us to a breathtaking vista point where we will watch the radiant full moon cast glittering light over the bay. Suitable for ages 10 and up.

Date: Saturday, December 18
Time: 4:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Details emailed to you when you register.
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous, 4 miles round-trip
What to bring: warm clothing, water, and a flashlight. Wear appropriate hiking shoes.
Note: This hike will begin at 4:15 sharp, so don’t be late or you’ll miss the fun!

REGISTER HERE

Fee: $5 non-members; FOCC members free
Space is limited; reservations required.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.
Photo credit: Visitors enjoying moonrise by Sheila Coll

New Year's Day Sunrise Hike
2022-01-01 06:30 - 08:30
Sunrise by Sheila Coll
Want to celebrate the new year in a profound way? Then come with us to ring in 2022 under the open sky as we watch the sunrise over San Pablo Bay.
Join naturalist Harold Hirsch for this 4-mile sunrise hike to a vista point to welcome the first golden light of the year. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Harold Hirsch has been a naturalist for China Camp for over seven years. He has extensive research and knowledge about geology, natural history and botany at China Camp.

Date: Saturday, January 1, 2022
Time: 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a. m.
Location: Details emailed to you when you register.
Difficulty: Moderate; 4 miles round trip

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

French Broom Removal Volunteer Event
2022-01-15 09:00 - 12:00
Mother Nature has been kind to us over the last few weeks and has soaked our clay soil. That may not be exciting news, but it does mean that we can more easily pull up the Scotch Broom and French Broom that pepper our hillsides. Not only is broom a highly invasive menace to our unique ecosystem, it also increases fuel for wildfires. Removing broom now will significantly reduce fire risks come summer.
Using special “weed wrenches” and our hands, we’ll pull out broom and transport it to a central location, where it will be chipped by the San Rafael Fire Department. The work is moderately strenuous and a good way to follow up on your New Year’s resolution to get more exercise.To join in the fun, please register with the California State Parks Foundation. Following your registration, you will receive an email with details about what to bring, what to wear and where to meet.
Date: Saturday, January 15
Time: 9 a.m. – noon. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for check in.
Location: Details emailed to you when you register. NOTE, the closest bathrooms are in the Village, 0.5 miles from the work area.
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
REGISTER HERE
Space is limited. Reservations required.
You will be notified of cancellations via email.
Questions? Email
info@friendsofchinacamp.org

Junior Ranger Program
2022-01-15 10:00 - 12:00
Geology: Rocks, Sand, and Mud
What’s older than memory, as mighty as a mountain, but can fit in the palm of your hand? You guessed it…rocks! We might not notice them as much as we do China Camp’s wildlife and plants, but rocks–from big boulders to tiny grains of sand–make up an important piece of the park’s natural history and ecosystems. For this month’s junior ranger program, we will take a close look at the rocks, pebbles, sand, and silt that we find along the bay’s shoreline. This program will be guided by naturalist/educators Suzanne Mirviss and Paula O’Connell, and is best suited for ages 7 through 9. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Date: Saturday, January 15
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Village Beach
Ages: ages 7 to 9
Dress in layers for changeable weather. Bring snacks and water.

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.

Photo credit: Kids exploring by Sheila Coll

Winter Naturalist Hike
2022-01-16 10:00 - 12:00
Winter: A time for renewal
When you think of winter, you might imagine the snowy Sierra, when most animal and plant life enters a time of dormancy. Not so in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here, winter is a time of awakening and renewal after the long and dry summer and fall. As we are seeing all around us this year, rains bring the long-golden hills their first touch of green. Trees and shrubs begin to recharge their water stores, and animals busily graze on the emergence of sprouting plants and fungi. Join naturalist Harold Hirsch as he leads us on a hike to explore the new life brought to China Camp’s re-awakening landscape in winter.
Harold Hirsch has been a naturalist for China Camp for over seven years. He has extensive research and knowledge about geology, natural history, and botany at China Camp.

Date: Sunday, January 16
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Back Ranch Meadows Entrance Gate
Difficulty: Moderate; 4 miles

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Photo credit: Rainbow over China Camp salt marsh by Sheila Coll

Full Moon Hike
2022-01-17 16:00 - 18:00
Moonrise over Rat Rock by Steve Ziman
Doesn’t the full moon just make you want to… howl? This month, it might be the best time to do just that, as we head out to get the first glimpse of 2022’s “Wolf Moon.” The story goes that this month’s full moon got its name because people heard more wolves howling in the dead of winter. We may not have wolves at China Camp, but we can still enjoy the beauty of their namesake moon.
Naturalist Harold Hirsch will guide us on a moderately strenuous, 4-mile round-trip hike where we will stop at a vista point and watch the radiant full moon rise over the East Bay hills and illuminate San Francisco Bay. Suitable for kids ages 10 and up.
Date: Monday, January 17
Time: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Meeting location details emailed upon reservation.
Difficulty: moderately strenuous, 4 miles round-trip
What to bring: Warm clothing, water, flashlight. Be sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes.
Note: This hike will begin at 4 p.m. sharp, so don’t be late or you’ll miss the fun!

REGISTER HERE

Fee: $5 non-members; FOCC members free
Space is limited; reservations required.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.

Photo credit: Moonrise over SF Bay by Sheila Coll

Winter Birding Hike
2022-01-22 08:00 - 10:00
Winter is a great time to spot both California brown pelicans and striking white pelicans along China Camp’s shoreline. What are the key differences between these two entertaining waterbirds? Aside from the color, the white pelican is much larger, boasting a nine-foot wingspan that makes the bird one of the largest in North America. The brown pelican, though smaller than its snow-white cousins, is hardly tiny, with it own impressive wingspan averaging six and a half feet from tip to tip.
Naturalist Jerry Coe will discuss these migratory birds and other species that we may spot on this month’s birding hike. Jerry will show us how to identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. He’ll also give tips on how to effectively use binoculars and bird guides.
Jerry Coe has over eight years of intensive training in ornithological field identification. He spent 15 years as a volunteer in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, using bird activities to assess the health of habitats. Jerry has also guided outdoor expeditions all over the world. Most recently, Jerry led the 2021 Audubon Christmas Bird Count in Muir Woods.

Date: Saturday, January 22
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Details emailed to you when you register.
Walking difficulty: Easy; 1½ miles

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Photo credit: Brown pelicans by Bryant Olsen/Macaulay Library

ADVISORY: FOOTRACE
2022-01-29 08:00 - 14:00
There will be a footrace beginning at Miwok Meadows on January 29th from 8am-2pm. Please expect increased foot traffic on Shoreline Trail, Bayview Trail, Back Ranch Fire Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail during that time.
Go to the Urban Coyote Racing website for more details.

Online: Naturalist Book Club
2022-01-30 19:00 - 20:00
THE WINDS OF CHANGE BY EUGENE LINDEN
Join this online event for what promises to be a lively conversation about this well-researched and fascinating discussion of nature, history, and civilizations.

Join this month’s online naturalist book club as we discuss The Winds of Change. Author and journalist Eugene Linden delves into new research exploring the connections between climate events and the rise and abrupt fall of the Akkadians in the Middle East, the Mayans in South America, and the Vikings’ foothold in North America. Linden notes, “Scientific disciplines have an immune system that initially rejects novel ideas and archaeology…(I)t is particularly sensitive to explanations that emphasize the role of ecology and minimize the role of human ingenuity.” Linden provides an overview of the known causes of cyclic climate changes from solar output to natural variations in the Earth’s orbit and rotation (Milankovitch cycles), including El Niño and La Niña events. Linden also touches on the apparent rapidity in which some of those changes occurred and what implications that may have for our time.

Date: Sunday, January 30
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Zoom meeting (details emailed once space is reserved).

REGISTER HERE

Space limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

Trail Closures In Effect
2022-02-11 - 2022-02-14
From February 11 to 13, portions of Shoreline Trail will be closed for restoration. The Friends of China Camp volunteer trail team will be restoring the handicap-accessible portion of Shoreline Trail, to ensure equitable access for people with mobility disabilities.
Please stay off closed areas, trespassing could risk disturbing the sensitive trail conditions. Trail restoration takes hundreds of hours of volunteer time and park financial resources, please be respectful and stay on the trail.
Take note of the detours in the maps below.
THIS MAP INDICATES THE CLOSURES AND DETOURS FROM 2/11 THROUGH 2/12.

SHORELINE TRAIL WILL BE CLOSED FROM CAMPSITES #1 AND #2 NORTHBOUNS TO THE TURTLE BACK TRAILHEAD, AND SOUTHBOUND THE INTERSECTION WITH BACK RANCH FIRE ROAD.

THIS MAP INDICATES THE CLOSURE STARTING 2/13.

THE PATH CONNECTING CAMPSITES #1 AND #2 TO SHORELINE TRAIL WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PLEASE STAY OFF THIS TRAIL.

Junior Ranger Program
2022-02-12 10:00 - 12:00
Winter is alive!
This program will highlight the awakening of new life as the winter rains and cool temperatures refresh the plant and animal life of China Camp. Junior Rangers will look for new life as wildflowers, grasses, ferns, and trees begin to bud. Discover birds, insects, frogs, newts, and deer. Naturalists/educators Suzanne Mirviss and Paula O’Connell will guide this month’s fun program. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Date: Saturday, February 12
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Village Beach
Ages: ages 7 to 9
Dress in layers for changeable weather. Bring snacks and water.

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.

Photo credit: Sheila Coll

ADVISORY: FOOTRACE
2022-02-13 08:00 - 14:00
There will be a footrace beginning at Miwok Meadows on February 13th from 8am-2pm. Please expect increased foot traffic on Shoreline Trail, Bayview Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail during that time.
Go to the Sasquatch Racing website for more details.

Darwin Day Celebration
2022-02-13 19:00 - 20:00
New ideas & research

Naturalist Harold Hirsch will lead a program celebrating international Darwin Day by discussing the evolution of—well—the theory of evolution! We will cover Charles Darwin’s contribution to science and also explore the ideas of the late E.O. Wilson and Richard Leakey, two scientists who greatly influenced modern thought about evolutionary biology.
In this online discussion, we will share views on exciting new research including a new study that challenges the evolutionary theory that DNA mutations are random. Join what promises to be a stimulating discussion to celebrate the theory that changed science forever.
Harold Hirsch has been a naturalist for China Camp for over seven years. He has extensive research and knowledge about geology, natural history, and botany at China Camp.

Date: Sunday, February 13
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Zoom meeting (details emailed to you once space is reserved)

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required.
Free (donations appreciated).
Cancellations notified via email.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Photo credit: 1855 Charles Darwin by Maull and Polyblank

Full Moon Hike
2022-02-16 17:00 - 19:00
This moon is deemed the “snow moon” because February is usually the coldest, snowiest month in the U.S. Though Bay Area residents might have to head to Tahoe to actually see some snow this month, you can join us on a journey to watch the snow-white moon ascend into the night sky.
Naturalist Harold Hirsch will guide us on an invigorating hike to a breathtaking vista point where we will watch the radiant full moon rise over the East Bay hills and illuminate San Francisco Bay. Suitable for kids ages 10 and up.

Date: Wednesday, February 16
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Meeting location details emailed to you upon reservation.
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous, 4 miles.
What to bring: Warm clothing, water, flashlight. Be sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes.
Note: This hike will begin at 5 p.m. sharp, so don’t be late or you’ll miss the fun!

REGISTER HERE

Fee: $5 non-members; FOCC members free
Space is limited; reservations required.
Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.
Cancellations notified via email.

Photo credit: Moon.NASA.gov
