Woodland Wonderland at EB Park
The naturalist staff at Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore is offering a new program every Friday in November and December, intended to appeal especially to families with children. It’s called “Woodland Wonderland.” Drop in after school at the park’s visitor center any time between 3:30 and 5 p.m. to learn about plants and animals of the oak woodland environment. Bobcats are the topic on Nov. 4, acorn woodpeckers star on Nov. 18, and coyotes take stage on Nov. 25. The naturalists have also scheduled nature craft drop-in programs for ages two and older from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday through December, with a different craft each week. These programs are free and registration is not required. Parents must participate, however. Del Valle Regional Park is at the end of Del Valle Road off Mines Road about nine miles south of Livermore. There’s a parking fee of $6 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3146.
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Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont is temporary home each year to a variety of migratory birds. Naturalist Chris Garcia will lead a walk through Ardenwood’s gardens and fields from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 in search of these birds. The program is free of charge, registration is not necessary, and there’s no admission fee. Ardenwood is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, just north of Highway 84. For information, call 510-544-2797.
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Speaking of birds, wild turkeys seem to show up almost everywhere nowadays, except perhaps as Thanksgiving approaches. You can learn more about this ubiquitous bird in a program from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Sunol Regional Wilderness, with naturalist Kristina Parkison. It’s for ages eight and older. Kristina will impart some turkey lore, then lead the group in a search for turkey signs or actual birds in the park. The program is free, though there’s a parking fee of $6 per vehicle.
Sunol Regional Wilderness is at the end of Geary Road off Calaveras Road about five miles south of Highway 680 and the town of Sunol. For information, call 510-544-3249. “Neat Stuff with a Naturalist” is the theme of a program series at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont. There’s a session from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. Every week a naturalist will lead hands-on activities, tours or crafts. The program is designed for ages five and up with parent participation required. It’s drop-in, free, and no registration is required. Meet at the visitor center. Coyote Hills is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $6 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3220.
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People looking for easy to moderate naturalist-led hikes will enjoy the “Let’s Get Outside Club” series, meeting the first Sunday of each month. There’s a hike from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness in San Ramon, led by naturalist Ashley Houts. It’s a 2 ¾-mile walk with 670 feet of elevation gain. The hikes are for ages eight and older, parents must participate. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Bollinger Canyon Road off Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon. Bring water and a snack or lunch. For information, call 510-544-3245.
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Winter snow in the Sierra Nevada is a crucial part of our water supply. During a program from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, naturalist Wyatt Moore will describe the journey of a single snowflake from its origin at 12,000 feet elevation to its end in San Francisco Bay. Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. For information, call 510-544-3050.
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“Mini Miners” is the title of a recurring program at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch, designed for kids under six years old, accompanied by parents. Each session is a morning of learning, playing and enjoying the great outdoors, with a different theme every month. The program is best for ages two through five; siblings are welcome. Dress for the weather; the program will occur outdoors, rain or shine. The first session is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 with naturalist Jessica Kauzer. It’s free and no registration is required. The program will be offered once per month – every second Tuesday. Black Diamond Mines is at the end of Somersville Road, 3½ miles south of Highway 4. Meet at the uppermost parking lot. Call 510-544-2750.
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This is just a sample. For the full story, visit www.ebparks.org/things-to-do online.