Native American Plant Uses Hike

Lori led participants down Serrano Creek - and into the past - to learn about the native plants and the ways the Tongva and Acjachemen once used them to survive.

Upon our retun Reggie took a few participants on a quick tour of the lake Forest Nature Park, to see the ways native plants are used there in the landscaping. This picture shows datura in the foreground...

and here is prickly pear and coffeeberry in fruit...

Guests enjoyed a sampling of native foods...

USFS Restoration Volunteer Training Day 1

The United States Forest Service & Back to NativesRESTORATION are presenting a Volunteer Restoration Training Program on 9 Saturdays in 2007 & 2008. (Double click on a picture to make it larger)

Members of the Cleveland National Forest Fire Crew demonstrated traditional tools, and how they are used to move soil quickly to create trails and fire breaks.

Ecological restoration is a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing healthy ecosystems. The day began with introductions and a presentation entitled "Why we should care" about biodiversity, threats to biodiversity (especially non-native plants) and what we can do to help. The presentation can be viewed online at http://www.backtonatives.org/btn_biodiversity.pdf

Successful habitat restoration ensures that native species are protected while non-native species are removed efficiently, and with minimal human impact to the site. This program will acquaint participants with non-chemical, low impact weed removal methods.

Reginald Durant demonstrated low impact weed removal tools that do not disturb the soil crust. Disturbing the soil would only cause more weeds to grow, inhibiting native plants which native animals depend on for survival.

For more information or to RSVP call 949-509-4787 or restoration@backtonatives.org This training is free.

Full Moon Hike at Crystal Cove

The Native Americans consider July the “Buck Moon”. July is normally the month when new antlers push out of bucks’ foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. Antlers are made of true bone that is fed by blood, which is carried in the outer velvet covering. Velvet antlers are hot to the touch, with brushy hair and a waxy feeling coating. This is in contrast to horned animals whose horns are made of keratin (like fingernails), which do not shed. Guests felt real antlers before embarking on a slow paced walk to enjoy the “Buck Moon.” We strolled through the backcountry listening to the call of nocturnal insects. As the sky faded to black, we searched for the darker silhouettes of bats and owls, as they soared across fields of stars.


NEXT: Harvest Poetry Walk at Mason Park
Friday, August 3, 2007, 6-8PM
Join Back to Natives for a harvest poetry walk at Mason Park in Irvine. Enjoy the changes around you as the days grow visibly shorter. We’ll enjoy Nature’s gifts at this traditional time of the first harvest, and write and enjoy each other’s gift of poetry as the sun sets and the sky turns from blue to gold. We will meet at the Ralph's Parking Lot on the corner of Michelson and Jeffrey in Irvine. For more information or to RSVP: 949-509-4787 or education@backtonatives.org

Summer Solstice at Crystal Cove State Park

On June 21 we celebrated the longest day of the year at the continent's edge. People around the world – throughout time – have celebrated the summer solstice. European traditions refer to the Summer Solstice as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season. Summer was a joyous time of the year for the people who lived in the northern hemisphere: The rain and cold had disappeared; Warm temperatures had returned; Flowers were blooming; Leaves had returned to the deciduous trees. Some herbs could be harvested, for medicinal and other uses. Food was easier to find.


Before walkng down to the beach we paused on the bluffs to read When Clay Sings by Byrd Bailor. "Every piece of clay is a piece of someone's life," they say. And the children try to imagine those lives that took place long ago. Clay has its own small voice, and sings. Its song has lasted for thousands of years.



Each solstice and equinox, when we do our traditional walk down to the beach, we do a “renewal ritual.” This year we made “power pots” to carry our hopes in for the coming season. We used salt water from the ocean to smooth our clay. Salt symbolizes the Earth, and the Earth symbolizes fertility and overall abundance. Water cleanses and purifies, it represents movement and transformations. We burned some incense to symbolize the Air. Air is the sign for communication. Air gives you clarity of thought. We set our pots out to collect the Summer sun’s “Fire.” Fire represents passion and emotion. It is helpful in destroying bad habits and burning away those things we don't need in our lives. It brings purity, enlightenment, power and vision. Many of us made symbols on our pots using items from the beach. I filled mine with feathers, shells and seaweed – and left it for someone to discover.



Join us for July Full Moon Walk at Crystal Cove State Park!
July 29, 7:30PM

Join us for a quiet, slow paced walk to enjoy the “Buck Moon.” We’ll stroll through the backcountry listening for the song of tree frogs and nocturnal insects. As the sky fades to black, we’ll search for the darker silhouettes of bats and owls, as they soar across fields of stars. Call 949-509-4787 or email lori@backtonatives.org to RSVP. Meet at the CCSP Ranger Station. This event is free.

Blue Moon Drum Circle at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

We had a great time at the recent Blue Moon Drum Circle at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park on 5-31-07. According to some, a blue moon occurs when a second full moon occurs in a calendar month. The evening began with a blessing given by an Acjachemen woman, who brought her grandmother, whose name was "Blue Moon." Then the drumming and dancing began and we were happily surprised to be in the company of many friends - new and old. The scent of mulefat filled the air and the night was filled with positivity and hope.