white sage - welcome to sgmrc · white sage you smell the white sage before you see it, its...

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



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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

mailto:[email protected]



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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



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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.



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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



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