Calabasas, CA -- Mountains Restoration Trust has expanded its educational programs to seniors, offering a series of naturalist classes to connect older adults with the outdoors. `There are now outdoor programs geared toward seniors to enhance their enjoyment of living nearby the Santa Monica Mountains,` said Susan Haugland, nature education specialist at MRT who developed the classes for senior interests. The new nature classes include a range of topics: nature studies, culture, gardening, and walkabouts. The Senior Naturalist Program is an opportunity to discover special places within the mountains, learn about local nature and meet others to enjoy the great outdoors with.
The MRT Senior Naturalist Program is being offered through the Calabasas Community Services Department.
Register online at Calabasas Online Class Registration
Space is limited and reservations are required. Fee is $10.00 per person.
For more information about a program, contact Susan Haugland at 818-591-1701 ext. 212
or email shaugland@mountainstrust.org.
The complete course description for the winter session is:
Nature 101
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Headwaters Corner at Calabasas Masson House 23075 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, 91302
Learn about local history followed by a walk-about along a year-round creek surrounded by oaks and other native plants. Feel the breeze and sun on our shoulders, smell the fresh country scent while we experience the peace that nature inspires, beckoning us to come back.
Seed Propagation
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
De Anza Park 3701 Lost Hills Road Calabasas 91302
An introduction to seed propagation methods will be the subject of this workshop. Topics to be discussed include seed collection, seed cleaning, and storage, treatments to overcome seed dormancy and seed sowing of plant species native to the Santa Monica Mountains. The workshop will be hands-on, and participants will help clean and sow seed into flats.
Birds
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Headwaters Corner at Calabasas Masson House 23075 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas 91032
Out of all the animals that live in these mountains, the ones you will be sure to see are the birds. Come join us and find out what makes a bird a bird. We will see the local birds that live here year-round and the migratory birds that are just passing through on their incredible journey from one country or state to another.
Cuttings Propagation Workshop
March 6, 2012
10 am to 12:00 pm
Founder`s Hall Founder`s Hall 100 Civic Center Way, Calabasas, CA
An introductory workshop covering propagation by cuttings will be the topic of this class. Basic cutting propagation methods will be discussed, and participants will help prepare and stick cuttings of native species collected on MRT open space land in the Santa Monica Mountains. Species to be propagated may include sticky monkey flower, crimson-flowered pitcher sage and woolly blue curls.
Native American Culture
March 20, 2012
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Headwaters Corner, at the Masson House, Calabasas Historic Landmark #1
Come and join us as we learn about the Native American Indians that lived in the Santa Monica Mountains. These clever people had a use for just about anything natural as they lived comfortably in the Santa Monica Mountains for thousands of years. There will be a walk about and discussion on the use of different native plants, rocks, bones, etc. and how they cared for the land.
Cold Creek Valley Preserve Walk-About
March 27, 2012
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Meet at City Hall
We will visit the majestic Cold Creek Valley Preserve. Beside a pristine creek, beneath oaks and other streamside trees, we will stroll by shrubs, plants and flowers as the birds chatter around us and the stream sings it`s soothing chorus. Come enjoy the lovely serenity of this very special place. We will take a 10 minute shuttle ride to Cold Creek Valley Preserve followed by a short drive to the top of the ridge for a spectacular view of our preserve and the mountains beyond.