LACCD
Gold Creek Ecological Reserve
Little Tujunga Canyon
2023-2024 - Faculty Outdoor Learning, onsite,
Flex time available. Workshop attendees will be introduced to 2023-24 activities. These activities can be used in your own field trips at Gold Creek and elsewhere.
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See Gold Creek site reports here
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DISCOVER:
LEARN TO IDENTIFY COMMON PLANTS, BIRDS, AND TRACKS
EXPLORE OUR TRAILS: Wear long sleeves, pants, & hat
EXAMINE COLLECTIONS: Mammals, Birds, Rocks, Plants and Insects
Dr, Kirk Olsen explains to attendees the wide diversity of insects found at the Gold in the Creek Reserve.
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We were amazed at the number of butterflies which, of course included Monarchs.
Kirk Olsen was presented with a certificate of appreciation for all his work in filed biology ove the last twenty years.
Attendees had several opportunities to try the now restored planned trails. Actually restoration is underway for the most challenging hike, the Red trail. But there was a hile on that one to in the afternoon. Here we walked the Green trail to learn about botany which included the ephemeral bloom of the cactus plant and the riparian vegetation at the creek edge like sycamore trees. It was amazing to see the bounce back after two devastating fires swept through the reserve only a few years ago, destroying some of the oldest trees.
Mike Farrell (Geography, LACC) and Rob West (Geology, ELAC, ret.) explain to the attendees what work has been done to bring the Gold Creek facility back to its educational mission. Much hard work has been accomplished to bring the access road back to easier access by regular vehicles. We learned that not only fire, but flood have required major cleanup. Now field trips are once again possible. See you campus rep. below.
