Today we journey out on the trails of Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Along the way, we will learn about the history of the park from the mid-1800's onward and geology that led to its importance in history from our tour leader, Michael Cox. He explored the mines as a teenager and became a geologist who was part of the team who cleaned up the park so it could be safely opened to the public.
In this workshop, you will learn about water as a global scarce, nonrenewable resource, the critical role it plays in the sustainability of our planet and the impending national water crisis. Our clean water crisis goes far beyond Flint. Last year 30 million Americans lived in areas where water systems violated safety rules and the threats from growing populations, pollution and global warming will only make things worse. An understanding of the current global state of the water crisis will leave you with the awareness and sense of urgency that this issue deserves. Image by rony michaud from Pixabay.
Join us for a leisurely walk at Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space, known for its spectacular wildflower displays. This preserve is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. We will follow a trail on serpentine soils and learn how the plants that grow here are specially adapted to this harsh environment. Furthermore, we will learn about the insects, such as the Bay Checkerspot butterfly, that are dependent on these plants. We end the walk with a social picnic lunch by a field of wildflowers. Image by Michael Hundt.