Accessible Trees of Bear Valley

Accessible Trees of Bear Valley

September 7, 2024
Wheelchair accessible hike with a great variety of trees. Polish your plant identification skills while learning the stories of the forest.

Forests are stories unfolding in slow motion. Wouldn’t you love to understand how to “read” them? Polish your plant identification skills on the trees of Bear Valley while learning their stories and relationships, strengths and vulnerabilities. Understand what most people don’t about how trees actually work. No experience necessary. Wheelchair accessible two-mile hike with a great variety of trees. View the Access Northern California trail description for Bear Valley.

Trees/ shrubs could include:

–Douglas-fir

–California bay laurel

–Coast live oak

–Coyote brush

–Red elderberry

–Willow

–Coffeeberry

–Red alder

Topics could include:

–How do trees grow and repair themselves?

—What do most people not understand about leaves?

–What’s the deal with mycorrhizae?

–What are the different strategies for surviving fire?

–How have human activities impacted the vegetation of Bear Valley?

—Is fire good or bad, and is that even the right question?

–All-time greatest hits “What’s that thing in the tree?” and “What’s this thing I found on the ground?”

We’ll meet at the Bear Valley Trailhead before embarking on a two-mile hike, which we’ll take at a “botanizer’s pace” (slowly). Elevation gain is negligible. Surfaces are one paved trail and one gravel road with two wooden bridges. For specific accessibility questions, please contact instructor at naomi.sorbet@gmail.com

Naomi Sorbet – Sparked by a childhood visit to Point Reyes, Naomi studied Forestry and Environmental Sciences at UC Berkeley, and is a Certified Arborist and California Naturalist. She believes connection with nature is enhanced by understanding, and loves helping people have a richer experience of the ecosystems they’re in.

Photo Credit: Avani Fachon

Details

-We will be meeting at the Bear Valley Trailhead

– Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in

– Refunds available for all classes 7 days in advance of the start date, after 7 days and before 2 days, participants can credit their class for a future date. All requests before 48 hours in advance will be declined. For COVID policy, see below.

– Please follow the parking instructions for the facility used that day

– Please provide an email you check regularly for updates and reminders about your class

– Registration is required online prior to the event in order to maintain class sizes

– Sales end 48 hours before the start date.

– Waitlists are available when the class sells out

What to Bring

Day Pack

Lunch

Warm Variable Weather Clothing

Hiking Shoes

Water Bottle

Notebook and Pen/Field Journal

Eventbrite Confirmation Email

Binoculars (Optional)

Camera (Optional)

About the PRNSA Field Institute

The PRNSA Field Institute offers hands-on environmental education classes throughout the year that foster enjoyment of Point Reyes National Seashore. Our classes are led by expert instructors, who take you out of your everyday life and into the natural world. We host a variety of classes about the arts and sciences and have something for everyone. You can reach the Field Institute at (415) 663-1200 x304 or by email at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.

Interested in becoming a member of PRNSA? Click Here!

Interested in becoming a PRNSA Field Institute volunteer facilitator, or are you an outdoor educator or artist who would like to teach a PRNSA Field Institute class? Send an Email!

For any questions, please email us at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.

Please respect the following COVID-19 procedures:

· Perform a health self-check before coming to class using the CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus as a guide

· Do not attend class if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, know that you have had a close exposure, or are suffering from any flu-like or respiratory illness

· Contact the Field Institute if you will not be able to attend due to COVID. You may be eligible to receive a full or partial refund

· Participants exhibiting signs of respiratory illness may be asked to leave class

· Masks are optional at your discretion

· Please bring your own food and water

All guidelines are subject to change pursuant to State or County Health order updates.

Thank you for your cooperation in following these guidelines to help keep everyone safe.