What prompts the flip from one season to another—flowers to bloom, birds to nest, and insects to pollinate? Nearly all plants and animals follow meteorological cues of daylight, temperature, and rainfall for their survival; phenology is the term given to the study of life cycle events in the natural world. Join Docent Naturalists Renée Fitzsimons and Dave Kocsis and guest ecologist Diane West-Bourke to hone your budding phenologist skills. This leisurely-paced exploration along the Waterwheel Creek Trail and Montebello Road will reveal many delights and prompt discussion, plus provide a beautiful 360 ° ridgetop view. Please bring a snack or lunch. (Note: You’ll meet at the Picchetti Ranch Parking Area and carpool to the Waterwheel Creek trailhead.) Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 26 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 11 at 2:00 p.m.
For this activity at Monte Bello Preserve, meet at the Picchetti Ranch Preserve parking lot. From the intersection of I-280 and Foothill Expressway, go 3.5 miles southwest (toward the mountains) on Foothill Boulevard/Stevens Canyon Road. Turn right on Montebello Road. The preserve is 0.5 miles up Montebello Rd. on the left. Participants will carpool to the trailhead for this activity.