2025.12.19 | New Opportunities to Explore Nature on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

Joint Mushroom Walk with California Native Plant Society and Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve with David Krause, Al Normandin, and Dennis Sheridan

With rain in the forecast, there will be a panoply of mushrooms for participants in this unique walk.  FFRP is grateful to the California Native Plant Society for including FFRP in its winter mycology tour.  Registration is free and will be open for reservations on December 27 on this link: Mushroom Walk at Fiscalini Ranch-Joint with CNPS and FFRP – CNPS-SLO

Remember: There is no foraging on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.

February 14–Feel the Forest’s Love with Brian Morgan

Feel the love that the forest has on this special day as friends and visitors meander along tree lined paths.  Listen as breezes rustle delicate understory plants.  Watch as soaring red shouldered hawks call to their mates.  Which insect enjoys the nectar of sticky monkey flowers?  Which insect’s beauty is enjoyed each year at this time?  That’s right!  The amazing monarch butterfly. 

     Learn about their migration, what they do on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, and what everyonecan do to keep these miracles from extinction.  Let Mother Nature be the guide–let the sounds, smells, and textures found in her realm ease thoughts and enhance the mind, body, and spirit.  Practice the joys of a slow and peaceful walk along twisting forest paths.  Share insights with your fellow walkers and naturalist guide. 

February 28–Birding on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve Forest and Coast with Jim Royer (Walk starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until approximately noon)

Attendees will walk through the mixed pine oak forest, after which everyone will drive down to the south Tipton entrance for a walk along the bluffs, for a total of three or four miles of very leisurely strolling. 

     The first walk will be on the Forest Loop Trail, looking for forest specialties like Pygmy Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, and Brown Creeper.  Next, the Bluff Trail presents a study of coastal species like cormorants, rocky shore birds, and gulls.  The trails are comparatively flat but can be muddy and have poison oak on the edges.  Stops will be made to look at fungi, bugs, salamanders, whales, otters, and other life forms. 

     The weather can range from sunny and mild to windy and cold, so wear or bring layers.  Taking a snack and water is recommended.  If people desire, a drive into town for lunch and to go over the list of birds after the walk provides a nice ending to the day.  Leaders will have a spotting scope, but additional scopes can be helpful. 

March 14–Walking the Trail of Time: A Geologic Walk on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve with David Chipping

The walk will go from south to north along the bluffs.  Walkers will examine the exposed geology and discuss the history of the area in the light of plate tectonics.  Two plant communities will be identified, as defined by soils from ancient sand dunes and alluvial sediments seen along the trail.

March 28–Lives in Darkness and Lives in Light: A Forest Walk on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve with Brian Morgan

Explore trails through the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve forest as each twist of the path takes attendees into a different room…filled with Mother Nature’s wonders.  Discover life forms that live in darkness and the life that lives in sunlight.  Which critters enjoy the dark and which critters embrace the light?  Roll a log back to observe the antics of slender black salamanders and glistening ensatinas. 

     Listen to the chatter of grey squirrels as they live their lives on the skinny branches of the beautiful local Monterey pines.  Search the sky for soaring red shouldered hawks and teetering turkey vultures.  Is it a turkey vulture?  Or, just maybe, a majestic California condor.  Learn about the beauty of seasonal mushrooms and how they help the native flora.  Share experiences with your fellow walkers and naturalist guide as the forest teaches the ways of nature.

     Walks typically are about two miles with little elevation gain.  Wear comfortable shoes and be aware there are no restroom facilities on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.  Children are welcome with adult supervision.  No dogs please.  Rain cancels any event.  Walks are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. unless noted.  Register here for the walk: Docent Walks | Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. 

Article first published in https://cambriaca.org/