The Prickly Pear September 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
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White Sage
You smell the White Sage before you see it, its distinct aroma fills the air all around
the plant, whose branches are encircled with velvety, light gray-green, sticky leaves. This
fragrant foliage is usually only 2 to 3 feet high, but the flower stalks, with many dainty,
purplish-white flowers, are 6 to 8 feet tall. We have plenty of White Sage all around the
Nature Center for everyone to enjoy.
There are two kinds of
leaves. The larger ones on the
main branches are 2 to 5 inches
long, with short leaf stalks and
velvety blades that are often
slightly folded along their mid-
veins. The others are small,
narrow, and arranged oppositely
along the upper parts of the
flower stalks
The White Sage
blooms April through July,
Here at the Nature Center we
had white sage blooming into
late July. Loose clusters of
small, delicate flowers adorn the many pairs of short
branches appearing in the leaf axils along the stalks. The
lavender-white petals form two lips, a tiny upper lip and a
much larger lower lip that is still only about 1/4 inch long.
The 2 stamens and the forked style project prominently
beyond the petals.
White Sage is an excellent nectar source for our local
The Prickly Pear September 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
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hummingbirds. Seed-eating birds, such as Lesser Goldfinch, are attracted to the fruits. Many
insect eaters, like Bushtits, also frequent this aromatic shrub, because it attracts many insects.
EVENTS at Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
September 7, 2013 10am Nature Walk. The walks are led by trained docents. The paved
walkway is wheelchair accessible.
September 14, 2013 10am Nature Walk. Stop by and see the Santa Fe Dam very few people
know.
September 21, 2013 8am Bird Walk. Come and see the birds that make Santa Fe Dam their home as
well as the migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway.
September 28, 2013 8am National Public Lands Day. National Public Lands Day (NPLD)
is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. In 2013, the 20th Anniversary of National Public Lands
Day. Nancy Begg is in charge of this event. Contact her at: [email protected]
Meet our Interns.
Conservancy Water Research: Bluebird Ranch Mountain Preserve
By Clifford Shum, Water Team Intern with the Conservancies
As an Intern with SGMRC’s Water Science Team, I have recently been involved with a summer research
project at Bluebird Ranch Mountain Preserve. Bluebird Ranch, a 340-acre plot of land in the Glendora
Foothills offers research and restoration project opportunities through an on-going partnership between San
Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy/SGMRC, and Glendora Community Conservancy/GCC, the local
conservancy.
Under the guidance of SGMRC Project Advisor Jon Ball, Bio/Water Scientist, and working with other team
members/ interns, Katie Montgomery and Melody Seesangrit this water project has added field and analysis
The Prickly Pear September 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
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skills to our university training. Jon/Advisor has also been a Speaker for the SFD/
Nature Center Nature Lecture Series – Second Saturdays 10 am of each month, free to
the public.
After SGMRC recently became aware of possible water contamination on the property, our team was given a
chance to gain valuable environmental project experience. The water research project has included field
sampling, data collection, and water analysis for Bluebird Ranch.
Water samples were taken once a week for an initial period of 8 weeks. These samples were then taken to a lab
to be tested for total coliform and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, as is standard for this suspected water
contamination type. These
bacteria types are known as
“indicators” because they are
very useful in demonstrating
the presence of fecal
contamination, which pose a
significant health risk because
of water-borne pathogens.
With our progress approaching
the end of our initial testing
stage, we are currently working
on digitizing the test results
and evaluating any interesting
trends in the data.
Our testing hopes to eliminate any uncertainty regarding the safety of the water supply at Bluebird Ranch. If
contamination is found, our research may expand to determine the pollution source and subsequently develop
a mitigation plan.
The 340-acre Bluebird Ranch in the foothills of Glendora was originally acquired by Glendora Conservancy in
an effort to link together the many natural habitats in the area, plus add to protection of Glendora and the
region’s watershed/native water supply. Much of the water supply in the region has been lost and watershed
The Prickly Pear September 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
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fragmented as a result of a variety of intrusions and/or development impacting local
water resources. You can learn more about Bluebird Ranch and Watershed Science by
contacting Glendora Conservancy (www.glendoraconservancy.org). Water is our most valuable natural
resource.
LaVerne University Students and Faculty Converge on Nature Center
By Frank ‘Bronzeagle’ Ayala
September 24 more than 160 students
and Faculty gathered here at the Santa Fe Dam
Nature Center for a day of volunteering. It was
part of The LaVerne Experience 2013.
Community Engagement Day. The Students
and Faculty helped out with: Tree Trimming
around the Nature Center. Cleaning out the fire
pits at Mustard Flats Campground. Moved huge
boulders and small ones to create a border.
Pulled evasive weeds. Thinned out the Matilija
Poppys from the garden in front of the Nature
Center. Mulching most of the plants around
the Nature Center. The Nature Trail was
cleared back about 18 inches from the trail.
Litter was picked up along the bike and
walking trails totaling 8 miles. Everyone was
busy and SGMRC and Santa Fe Dam Nature
Center Volunteers send out a huge THANKS!
AND A JOB WELL DONE.
The Prickly Pear September 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
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The Prickly Pear September 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
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GLENDORA’S CHILDREN’S FOREST
Phone: 626-857-0800 E-mail: [email protected] Kristina Bejarano-Anaya at Farmers’ Insurance 859 E Route 66 #A, Glendora, CA 91740
Sage Donation: $25.00 Your Company/Organization will be recognized on the Children’s Forest Website plus local material that will be distributed to both the public and local Business Owners. With your donation you will also receive your annual membership with the Conservancy.
Evergreen Donation: $100.00
(Also great for Family and Individual recognitions) Your Company/Organization will be recognized on the Children’s Forest Pamphlet/Website ,plus local material that will be distributed to both the public and local Business Owners. You will be included on the outdoor kiosk of the Children's Forest as one of our sponsors—all year round. With your donation you will also receive your annual membership with the Conservancy.
Oak Donation: $150.00 Your Company/Organization will be recognized as top sponsors on the Children’s Forest Pamphlet/Website, plus local material that will be distributed to both the public and local Business Owners. You will be included on the outdoor kiosk of the Chil-dren's Forest as one of our sponsors—all year round. With your donation you will also receive your annual
membership with the Conservancy. Plus recognition on all outdoor banners during the 3 project phases – October 2013 / February 2014 and October 2014 as a proud Sponsor.
Business Sponsor Levels
GLENDORA’S CHILDREN’S FOREST
“TO FORGET HOW TO DIG THE EARTH AND TEND THE SOIL IS TO FORGET OURSELVES.” - MOHANDAS K. GANDHI CONTACT WWW.GLENDORACONSERVANCY.ORG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GLENDORACONSERVANCY
Donations can be check payable to: The Glendora Conservancy (GCC) OR by PayPal, where you can find at:
www.glendoraconservancy.org The GCC is a 501©(3) nonprofit, public benefit corporation
Proud Sponsors
The Bejarano Insurance Agency
The Prickly Pear September 2013 Newsletter For Galster Park Nature Center, Glendora Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam Nature Center
(San Gabriel Valley NC Network)
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