Friends of China Camp

New Year's Day Sunrise Hike
2022-01-01 06:30 - 08:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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

Birding Hike
2022-02-19 08:00 - 10:00
By the first two weeks of February, we can expect to see many species of swallows returning to the Bay Area from their winter home in Mexico. On this month’s birding hike, we will look for barn swallows swooping and diving above Miwok Meadows in pursuit of flying insects. Barn swallows have a deeply forked tail and are known for their conical mud nests often built in barns and garages. We’ll also look for other songbirds and waterfowl that we’re likely to see in late winter.
Naturalist Jerry Coe will show us how to identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. In addition, he’ll offer tips on how to effectively use binoculars and bird guides. Jerry 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, February 19
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Details emailed to you upon registration.
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: Mason Maron/Macaulay Library

Naturalist Book Club
2022-02-27 19:00 - 20:00
ENTANGLED LIFE BY MERLIN SHELDRAKE
Join us for this month’s Naturalist Book Club as we discuss the New York Times bestseller Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake via Zoom.
To most humans, fungi are seemingly limited to the dichotomy of being either beneficial as food and medicine or as a poisonous threat. Often overlooked is the much deeper relationship of dependency that we, and the majority of life on earth, have on the day-to-day operations of this diverse kingdom of organisms. In his book, Sheldrake explains the expansive roles of fungi to help us understand how inexorably interwoven they are in the network of all life.
Enjoy Sheldrake’s award-winning book, then join our February book club meeting to discuss his fascinating insights.

Date: Sunday, February 27
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
2022-03-03 08:00 - 2022-03-11 17:00
Beginning March 3, a portion of Shoreline Trail will be closed for restoration until further notice. 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.
The section will include the connection from the Back Ranch Meadows Campground by campsite #1 to the gravel parking lot accross from Turtle Back Trailhead. Portions of that gravel parking lot will be closed. See map below for details.
Map indicates the work area (white line) and detour (blue line). The parking lot across from Turtle Back Trailhead will be closed to the public during this time. A small section will be left open for foot and bike access between North San Pedro Road and Shoreline trail.

Junior Ranger Program: Turtle Back Trail Exploration
2022-03-12 10:00 - 12:00
Join us this month as we take a journey around Turtle Back Nature Trail, considered the “heart” of China Camp State Park. This month we will discover the vernal plant and animal communities that live at this unique intersection of grassland, oak woodlands, and salt marsh. This program will be guided by naturalist/educator Paula O’Connell, and is best suited for ages 7 through 9. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Date: Saturday, March 12
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Turtle Back Trail
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

Trail Closures in Effect
2022-03-16 - 2022-03-30
Beginning March 16, a portion of Shoreline Trail will be closed for restoration until further notice. 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.
The section will include the section from the gravel parking lot across from Turtle Back Trailhead to the intersection with Bullet Hill Trail. Portions of that gravel parking lot will be closed. See map below for details.
Map indicates the closed work area (blue line) and detour (blue line). The parking lot across from Turtle Back Trailhead will be closed to the public during this time. A small section will be left open for foot and bike access between North San Pedro Road and Shoreline trail.

Full Moon Hike
2022-03-18 19:00 - 21:00
Lace up your hiking boots, pack a hot beverage, grab your flashlight, and bring your bestie to this month’s full moon hike. March’s full moon, rising two days before the spring equinox, is known as the “worm moon,” for the earthworms that are often seen wriggling to the surface during the spring rain showers. Let’s hope for an abundance of rain in March, but clear skies during this popular event.
Naturalists Harold Hirsch and Brendan Clifford will guide us on this moderately strenuous hike to a stunning vista point, where we will watch the radiant moon rise over the San Francisco Bay. Suitable for kids ages 10 and up.
Date: Friday, March 18
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Meeting location details emailed 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 7 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: Sheila Coll

Migratory Birdwatching Hike
2022-03-19 08:00 - 10:00
As the largest estuary along the Pacific Flyway, the San Francisco Bay offers an abundance of habitats for migrating birds as they make their springtime journey north. On this month’s birding hike, we will be on the lookout for the first spring migrants, like the Caspian tern. This impressive tern, the world’s largest, typically shows up at China Camp around mid-March. The San Francisco Bay Area serves as an important stopover as the birds make their migration from wintering grounds in Mexico to breeding locations in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Naturalist Jerry Coe will show us how to identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. In addition, he’ll offer tips on how to effectively use binoculars and bird guides. Jerry 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, March 19
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: China Camp Ranger Station. 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: Great flyways | North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Spring Equinox Wildflower Hike
2022-03-20 10:00 - 12:00
Celebrate the first day of spring with us as we hit the trail to seek out the prismatic colors of the wild. Yellow buttercups, orange poppies, red larkspur, purple shooting stars, indigo irises—together they make an unforgettable rainbow that you won’t want to miss.
Join naturalist Harold Hirsch on a moderate hike to discover our spring wildflowers deep in the oak woodland at the top of Knight Drive. Harold has been a naturalist for China Camp for over seven years, and has extensive knowledge about the geology, natural history, and botany of China Camp.
Date: Sunday, March 20
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: Knight Drive Trailhead. Meeting location details emailed upon reservation.
Difficulty: Moderate hike, distance will vary (1-3 miles) depending on our group’s interest.
What to bring: Suitable layers for the weather, water,and a camera. Be sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes.

REGISTER HERE

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

Credit: Sheila Coll

Naturalist Book Club
2022-03-27 19:00 - 20:00
Join this month’s Naturalist Book Club as we discuss A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds by Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Weidensaul. This recently published book reveals mind-blowing research about the world’s most extraordinary avian globetrotters.
Excerpt from Goodreads.com:
In the past two decades, our understanding of the navigational and physiological feats that enable birds to cross immense oceans, fly above the highest mountains, or remain in unbroken flight for months at a stretch has exploded. What we’ve learned of these key migrations—how billions of birds circumnavigate the globe, flying tens of thousands of miles between hemispheres on an annual basis—is nothing short of extraordinary.
. . . This breathtaking work of nature writing from Pulitzer Prize finalist Scott Weidensaul introduces readers to those scientists, researchers, and bird lovers trying to preserve global migratory patterns in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. Drawing on his own extensive fieldwork,. . . Weidensaul unveils with dazzling prose the miracle of nature taking place over our heads.

Date: Sunday, March 27
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.

Junior Ranger Program
2022-04-09 10:00 - 12:00
Life of China Camp’s Birds
Credit: Jim Mullhaupt | BayNature.org
Join April’s Jr. Ranger program as we take a look at the springtime activities of some amazing birds that can be found within China Camp’s oak woodland and bay shoreline. We will be on the lookout for hummingbirds, large raptors, diving shorebirds, tall waders, and paddling waterfowl. Participants will also get an up-close look at real bird nests and feathers, so come with us and join the fun!
This program will be guided by naturalists/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, April 9
Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Location: China Camp Ranger Station
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.

Spring Birding Hike
2022-04-16 08:00 - 10:00
Photo: Dean Latray/Macaulay Library
April lies within the heart of the Bay Area’s spring bird migration. This month, we will be on the lookout for Allen’s hummingbirds, who are currently passing through our region on their way to nesting sites along the coast. With luck, we may also see rufous hummingbirds bound for Oregon and further north. We will discuss why some very similar species, such as Allen’s and rufous hummers, are so similar that they cannot be truly identified unless they are net-captured and ID’ed “in the hand” by experts. In our wetlands and ponds, we may spot migrating ducks, including gadwall, American widgeon, cinnamon teal, green-winged teal, greater scaup, bufflehead, red-breasted merganser, and ruddy duck, along with various species of grebes and other birds.
Naturalist Jerry Coe will show us how to identify birds by shape, flight patterns, calls, and habitat. In addition, he’ll offer tips on how to effectively use binoculars and bird guides. Jerry 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, April 16
Time: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Location: Miwok Meadows Entrance Gate
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.

Full Moon Hike
2022-04-16 19:00 - 21:30
Get ready for an evening packed with celestial delights. Our hike will lead us to a spectacular viewpoint, where we will watch the rise of April’s “Pink Moon,” so-called for the pink phlox flowers that bloom in spring. We may also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the first shooting stars of the Lyrids meteor shower, which begins April 16 and peaks the night of April 22.
Naturalists Harold Hirsch and Brendan Clifford will guide us on a moderately strenuous, 4-mile round-trip hike that’s suitable for ages 10 and up.

Date: Saturday, April 16
Time: 7 p.m. – 9:30 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 7 p.m. sharp, so don’t be late or you’ll miss the fun!

REGISTER HERE

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

Online: Naturalist Book Club
2022-04-24 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for this month’s Naturalist Book Club as we discuss the Pulitzer Prize-winning fictional book, Anthill: A Novel by the late biologist and author, E.O. Wilson. The story offers a creative apologue of Wilson’s theory of biophilia, which suggests that humans desire and seek out deep connections with other species and the natural world.
Excerpt from Goodreads.com:
“[T]he epic story of Anthill, part thriller, part parable, which follows the adventures of Raff, a modern-day Huck Finn, whose improbable love of the ‘strange, beautiful, and elegant’ world of ants ends up transforming his own life and the citizens of Nokobee County. . .
An extraordinary undergraduate at Florida State University, Raff, despite his scientific promise, opts for Harvard Law School, believing that the environmental fight must be waged in the courtroom as well as the lab. Returning home a legal gladiator, Raff grows increasingly alarmed by the rapacious condo developers who are eager to pave and subdivide the wildlands surrounding the Chicobee River. . .
. . .Anthill will not only transfix readers with its stunning twists and startling revelations but will also provide readers with new insights into the meaning of survival in our rapidly changing world.”
Enjoy Wilson’s award-winning novel, then join April’s book club meeting to discuss this heartening tale.

Date: Sunday, April 24, 2022
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.

ADVISORY: Large Mountain Bike Event
2022-05-07 08:00 - 16:00
There will be a large mountain biking event at Miwok Meadows on May 7 from 8am to 4pm. Expect increased trail use by mountain bikers during the event. For more information, go to the Ales & Trails website.

ADVISORY: Large Mountain Biking Event
2022-05-14 08:00 - 17:00
There will be a large mountain biking event at Miwok Meadows on May 7 from 8am to 4pm. Expect increased trail use by mountain bikers during the event. For more information, go to the Bike4Buckelew website.

Friends of China Camp Annual Community Meeting
2022-05-14 09:00 - 11:00
Want to find out what makes China Camp tick? Got your own ideas on ways to enjoy and improve the park? Join our annual community meeting to learn about Friends of China Camp’s successes–and challenges– over the past year. Get a peek into the year ahead, and share your own thoughts about making this amazing park even better.

Date: Saturday, May 14
Time: 9:00 a. m.
Where: China Camp Village
Questions?
Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org
or call (415) 456-0766.
Check the Friends of China Camp website for cancellation announcement.

Junior Ranger Program
2022-05-14 10:00 - 12:00
Photo: Red-shouldered hawk by Eric Keith/Macaulay Library
Ospreys, red-tailed hawks, eagles, and owls are only a few of the birds of prey that call China Camp home. Junior Rangers will have a chance to learn more about these beautiful and diverse creatures, including what it means to “fly like an eagle” or be as “wise as an owl.” Join the fun as we discover the secrets of our region’s remarkable raptors.
This program will be guided by naturalists/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, May 14
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.
