Earth Discovery Institute

Our last day in Jupiter, Florida and it's raining. That won't stop us from having a little fun with our Lilypad Toss! 1. Gather Supplies: old fabric scraps or even plastic bags will work, rice/pebbles/beans/popcorn kernels, string/ribbon/rubber bands, cardboard (I used a cereal box), markers/crayons, scissors, and chalk 2. Cut your fabric into squares. Smaller hands might need smaller "bean bags". 3. Fill with your choice of filler. 4. Cut your cardboard into lilypad shapes... and decorate. 5. Draw a start line with your chalk 6. Toss and have fun! You can add a challenge by putting numbers on your lilypads and keep score! Action shot in comments! See more

Thanks so much to those who joined us for our second member-only hike this week! What a wonderful group, and the hike was perfectly timed to coincide with the blooming of Ceanothus (wild lilacs), which are looking spectacular at the moment. If you would like to hike through some of San Diego County's most intact ecosystems with biologists who know them deeply, consider joining EDI as a member. You will never look at our native plants and animals the same way again! https://earthdiscovery.org/become-a-member

Join the Nat for the annual State of Biodiversity Symposium on Zoom. Previously a full-day event at the San Diego Natural History Museum, it will take place across four Thursday mornings in April. Join one or sign up for the full series for an in-depth conversation about our current ecological state and what’s to come.

Visit our lovely NATIVE PLANT GARDEN at Crestridge Ecological Reserve today to enjoy the sights & scents plus a short #PoetryHike Thanks to our friends at Sunbelt Publications for the book! Visit them online to get your copy of #CoolCritters by Lorraine Lynch Geiger

Can't wait to read this!

Even during vacation my family and I cannot help but take in the wonders of nature

If you're looking for a quick fun craft that will brighten your window (or a friends) for weeks to come I've got just the activity for you! 1. Gather your supplies- flowers, leaves, wax paper, ribbon/string, scissors and an iron. Even scraps of fun paper or fabric would work! 2. Cut a piece of wax paper and fold in half. Open again to begin designing on the waxy side. 3. Arrange your petals or other materials into a fun design. Use your imagination! 4. Fold the other half o...ver so that your waxy sides are facing each other. 5. On low setting run your iron quickly over the waxpaper. It should form a seal and your design will stay in place. 6. Hang in a bright window and enjoy! Tag us so we can see your creations! Tag us so we can see your creations! See more

Our friends at San Diego River Park Foundation have an internship opportunity!

Tomorrow is BOOK CLUB! Spoiler Alert...I didn't get through the book, but will still be on to chat. Zoom link will be posted tomorrow

The Crestridge Ecological Reserve #StorybookHike is getting some much needed TLC. Wednesday there will be a short story set up in the native garden near the Horsemill entrance. Check back soon for the next story in the oak grove

The best way to get started with bird watching is to start with what you know! Start by identifying things that are easy to spot such as birds flying overhead or listening to birds singing in the trees. Make a game out of it and soon you will see that you know much more than you thought! Get out and have some fun! #birdwatching #funinnature #spring #birds #getoutside

New Year. New Logo. Please check in on our website for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities later this year!

Perfect weather for curling up with a book! A little over a week left before our first book club meeting! RSVP soon!

Thank you to the amazing group of LDS missionaries for volunteering to help us with trenching our native milkweed beds so that we can try and exclude those pesky gophers. We are preparing our South County Milkweed Farm on Endangered Habitats Conservancy property to receive starts from Moosa Creek Nursery and sow locally sourced seed. Our end game is to provide native habitat for our endangered Western Monarchs and provide native milkweed seeds and plants to San Diego County at large. Farming does take patience, please follow us here to watch the milkweed grow! #monarchs #milkweed #communitypartners #pollinatorfriendly #volunteer Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County San Diego Pollinator Alliance U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Join the California Native Plant Society San Diego Chapter for a presentation on "Meeting the Needs of Monarchs and Other Nectar Feeders" by entomologist and professor Robert "Bob" Allen, M.S. Via Zoom, Tuesday, January 26, 7:00PM Register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_MW1Fdh2EQkmS2yBZzc1RZg. You do not need a Zoom account to register or watch the presentation. If you want to watch the presentation without registration it will be live streamed to BugBob'...s WildWorld YouTube Page beginning at 7:00pm. The Western Monarch is in trouble, very very serious trouble. As caterpillars, they feed only on milkweeds. As adults, they feed only on nectar. Adult monarchs and other nectar-feeding insects need more flowers from which to take nectar. In southern California, this means we need to provide nectar sources all year long. Plant California native nectar sources. In an effort to provide milkweed for caterpillars, well-meaning people often plant non-native tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica. But that plant promotes survival of a protozoan parasite that weakens and/or kills monarchs. Using that species of milkweed is often loving monarchs to death. Plant California native milkweeds. The presentation will discuss these and other factors in the decline and survival of monarchs and other nectar-feeders.

This time of year, and with the extended drought, it's nice when you see something green and lush in the landscape. In the chaparral of San Diego's East County, Rhus ovata (Sugarbush) provides just that verdin highlight. Sugarbush is in the same family as laurel sumac, Anacardiaceae, the Cashew family, which they share with poison oak, mango and pistachio. Anacardiaceae bear fruits that are drupes (a fleshy fruit with thin skin and a central stone/seed) and in some cases (poison oak) produce urushiol, an irritant. This shiny, broad-leafed shrub or small tree grows 6 to 15 feet (with equal spread)and is great for native landscapes as it’s evergreen and drought tolerant. #nativeplants #habitat #chaparral

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It's good to be back!! Our first Storybook Art Hour at #CrestridgeEcologicalReserve was a success. A few Family Co Op groups joined us for a hike, story and art fun under the oaks! If you are interested in learning more about our programs sign up for our newsletter on our website www.earthdiscovery.org or email me at [email protected] Funding provided by SDG&E #EnvironmentalChampionsAward #PleaseShare #Nature #StayConnected #NearbyNature #ArtInNature #nearbynature

Why your actions matter! Citizen science helps in so many ways. Stay tuned for opportunities to volunteer with us!

We had some friends visit our #EDIStorybookHike at Crestridge Ecological Reserve last week. Don't miss out! The trail is open for reading and exploring!

Join me (Ms Vicky) on Wednesday for a SOCIALLY DISTANCED IN PERSON Story Time & Art Hour! I will be reading the book Outside In by Deborah Underwood and Illustrated by Cindy Derby. RSVP at [email protected] for the time and location. We will provide a nice cool spot to sit and art supplies! Hope to see you there #SanDiego!! Funding provided by SDGE #EnvironmentalChampionsAward #PleaseShare #Nature #StayConnected #NearbyNature #ArtInNature

Check out these cool moths found during a recent survey at SD National Wildlife Refuge!!

Thanks to funding from SDGEs #EnvironmentalChampionsAward we are excited to announce our first ever #EDIStorybookHike at Crestridge Ecological Reserve!! Come an...d take a hike through the beautiful oak grove featuring Coast Live and Engelmann Oaks while enjoying a lovely story with your family Our story this month is The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins which tells the story of SD's very own Kate Sessions Make sure to sign in at the kiosk when you arrive and share your photos to be entered to win one of EDIs At Home Nature Science & Art Kit. #EDIStorybookHike See more

Check out this Live Global Bird Watching Session!! Super cool!

The window of opportunity is closing. You have less than 3 days to order your gorgeous, drought tolerant, pollinator attracting, habitat supporting native shrubs, succulents and trees! Click on the link: https://earth-discovery-institute.square.site/ to shop. There is a minimum $75.00 per order so please plan accordingly and order with a friend if necessary. Ordering open 10/5 12pm until 10/19 1pm or until we reach 100 orders. Order now! PICK UP AT CRESTRIDGE ECOLOGICAL RESE...RVE ONLY FRIDAY 10/30 2PM - 6PM SATURDAY 10/31 9AM - 2PM SUNDAY 11/1 9AM 1PM You will be given a time for pick-up at the time of checkout. If this does not work for you please contact [email protected] to arrange a better time. Please be aware that we are practicing social distance protocols to keep you, staff and volunteers safe so please try adhere to your appointed time. We are very excited to still be able to offer this opportunity and hope you choose to support San Diego's biodiversity.! #nativeplants #pollinatorplants #droughttolerant #waterwisegardening #nativehabitat See more

Join me (Ms Vicky) on Friday at 11am for a Zoom Story Time & Art Hour! I will be reading the book Outside In by Deborah Underwood and Illustrated by Cindy Derby. RSVP at [email protected] for the link and password. All you need is some blank paper and the art medium of your choice. I think I might be adventurous and use watercolors and a black marker :) Hope to see you there!! #PleaseShare #Nature #StayConnected #NearbyNature

Amazon Prime day is here! Before checking out all the deals, remember to set Earth Discovery Institute as your charity of choice at smile.amazon.com. Deals run Oct 13 (today) until Oct 14 (tomorrow)!

What does every SoCal yard need?...Shade! Improve your habitat and plant native trees. This great little video from Mission Trails will introduce you to some of our favorite native trees, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pC5lnA8ri8&feature=youtu.be Most of which can be purchased at EDI's native plant sale: https://earth-discovery-institute.square.site/... #nativetrees #shadetrees #planttrees See more

Only 10 more days to get your orders in!! EDI's Annual Native Plant Sale is ONLINE for 2020. Click on the link: https://earth-discovery-institute.square.site/ to shop. There is a minimum $75.00 per order so please plan accordingly and order with a friend if necessary. Ordering open 10/5 12pm until 10/19 1pm or until we reach 100 orders. Order now! PICK UP AT CRESTRIDGE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE ONLY FRIDAY 10/30 2PM - 6PM... SATURDAY 10/31 9AM - 2PM SUNDAY 11/1 9AM 1PM You will be given a time for pick-up at the time of checkout. If this does not work for you please contact [email protected] to arrange a better time. Please be aware that we are practicing social distance protocols to keep you, staff and volunteers safe so please try adhere to your appointed time. We are very excited to still be able to offer this opportunity and hope to see you soon!