A Journey Through Landscape Scale Ecology
Date: Saturday, August 24
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(End time is approximate)
Location: Cuyamaca (Visitor Center and Tulloch Ranch)
Cost:
Non-member – $60
ABF Member – $50
Student – $25
Book + Shipping $27.45
Book pickup $21.45
Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial hardship. If you’d like to request a scholarship, please reach out to [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph description about why you want to attend this program and your need for a scholarship.
Description
Join us for a captivating day of exploration and learning about landscape scale ecology in the heart of nature at Tulloch Ranch. Landscape scale ecology seeks to describe the dynamic relationships between ecological patterns and processes across spatial scales. In this case, we seek to highlight the important relationship between the desert and mountains and why we must understand and conserve connecting landscapes, such as Anza-Borrego and Cuyamaca. This event offers a blend of education, adventure, and scenic beauty, perfect for nature enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
9:00 a.m. – Lecture at Cuyamaca Visitor Center
Kick off the day with an engaging lecture at the Cuyamaca Visitor Center by former State Park Superintendent, Dave Van Cleve. The lecture will cover some of Dave’s passion projects related to landscape-scale ecology, the importance of wildlife corridors, and the theory of land acquisition as a conservation tool. You’ll learn about the history and management of the land, with a special focus on how Parks play a crucial role in providing hope and unity in times of division. Dave will also discuss inspiring examples of local conservation efforts within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
10:30 a.m. – Hike at Tulloch Ranch
Embark on a 2-mile round trip interpretive hike at Tulloch Ranch, one of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s little known high elevation acquisitions. This easy hike on a fire road offers stunning views of Cuyamaca Peak and Stonewall Peak with Lake Cuyamaca in the foreground. As you transition into a desert overlook, you’ll gaze into San Felipe Valley, with the Pacific Crest Trail cutting across. Dave will share insights about the resilience of nature as you see how the landscape has recovered since the 2003 Cedar fire, with species like black oaks making a remarkable comeback.
12:30 p.m. – Lunch at the Pub at Lake Cuyamaca
After the hike, enjoy a well-deserved lunch and a cold beer at the Pub at Lake Cuyamaca (cost not included in registration). Relish the opportunity to discuss the morning’s insights and connect further with our presenter Dave Van Cleve and fellow participants.
**Participants will have the option to purchase Dave Van Cleve’s book during online registration, available for shipping in advance or pickup at the event. This book provides further examples and stories of how local actions can have a global impact. It is a compelling chronicle of 14 remarkable men and women rangers in California’s Department of Parks and Recreation who deliberately focused their talents as “field” rangers within one state park – making that landscape a special place. They taught thousands of school children and led numerous interpretive programs. They wrote books, stories, and poems to help the public understand parks. Some rangers served in groundbreaking roles – within a Department that encouraged them to achieve lofty goals, creating a blueprint for future successes. All 14 heroes accomplished positive change. As self-taught experts on their local region and its natural and cultural history, they achieved miracles while honoring the highest standards of public service – protecting our state parks and serving park visitors.
A Greatness of Spirit: Tales of Extraordinary Rangers at the Heart of California’s State Park System
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, hike, and connect with nature and like-minded individuals. Register now to secure your spot!
Space is limited! Please register in advance.
Register Here
About the Field Trip Leaders:
Dave Van Cleve spent nearly 32 years in the California State Park System as a park ranger, park ecologist, and park superintendent. His last 14 years with State Parks were at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, and five other parks that made up the Colorado Desert District. He was instrumental in the local effort to begin connecting these parks to other protected areas through land acquisition, the creation of the 5th grade environmental education program in Anza-Borrego, and the effort to bring a University of California Natural Reserve to Borrego Springs. He subsequently worked nine years as a senior project director and ecoregional director for The Nature Conservancy. He joined the board of Anza-Borrego Foundation in 1989 and currently serves as its Vice-President. In addition to A Greatness of Spirit, Dave wrote Have a Nice Day Job – a humorous look at his State Parks career. He is currently writing a novel — The Island Effect – that takes place at a fictional state park in the Channel Islands. It features love, murder, island ecology, and the evolution of the pygmy mammoth. Due out soon.
Cancellation Policy:
Notification must be received at least 7 days before the first day of the event if you need to cancel and wish to receive a refund. For cancellations made after the 7-day deadline, we cannot issue refunds for any reason. We understand that unforeseen or emergency circumstances may arise, but our nonprofit organization operates on a limited budget and, while inconvenient, this policy enables us to sustain our programs even with last-minute cancellations. If ABF cancels a program, we will issue a full refund or credit. Thank you for understanding!
Hikes may be cancelled due to unsafe weather or road conditions with 24-hour notice if possible
