News

What about alfalfa?
News

What about alfalfa?

Having evangelized about the habitat benefits of rice farms, Audubon California's Khara Strum is taking on a new crop.

Brown Pelicans getting help from Audubon network
News

Brown Pelicans getting help from Audubon network

This past spring and summer, unusual numbers of young brown pelicans turned up in parking lots, college graduations ceremonies, and streets from Oregon through California. Does this mean our California brown pelican subspecies is in trouble?

Western Snowy Plover reaches important milestone in its recovery
News

Western Snowy Plover reaches important milestone in its recovery

Protection under the Endangered Species Act is still vital to the future of this threatened species.

Important news about migratory bird protection
News

Important news about migratory bird protection

Audubon California is shifting its strategy to pursue lasting protections for birds outside of the Legislature

Fire and birds
News

Fire and birds

Increasing trend of fires in California is putting pressure on bird populations

Congratulations to Audubon in Action Awardees from California!
News

Congratulations to Audubon in Action Awardees from California!

Five California chapters were awarded Audubon in Action grants to support conservation, activism, volunteerism and leadership. Learn about which programs were funded!

Plant of the Month, August 2018: California Buckwheat

Photo: Tom Benson

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

California Buckwheat is a staple at our park and at our nursery!  It blooms creamy white leaves in the spring which turn to rusty-brown as summer fades into fall.  Buckwheat flour belongs in the same family, but making anything  of this plant would not be palatable.  Here's a recipe on how to make buckwheat flour.  

  • Tough and easy to grow, even in very dry conditions 
  • Height: 2' or 3' high 
  • Flowering season: Spring, Summer, Fall 
  • Pollinator friendly, attracts butterflies and bees
  • Ants, wind and water disperse seeds
  • Flowers are a combination of pink, cream, white in early flowering stage, while turning rust-brown as flowers mature
Western Snowy Plovers nest at Huntington State Beach for the first time in five decades
News

Western Snowy Plovers nest at Huntington State Beach for the first time in five decades

Partnerships with California State Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and volunteers from Audubon and other non-profits are instrumental in the recovery of the Western Snowy Plover

Highlights from An Arroyo Adventure
News

Highlights from An Arroyo Adventure

A quick look at some fun camp memories...

Summer Film Series Kick-off: Brothers of the Wind

Brothers of the Wind

On Friday July 27th, the Audubon Center at Debs Park was happy to kick-off our Summer Film Series in partnership with the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council and Epic Pictures Group by presenting Brothers of the Wind.

We kicked off the event with a live birds of prey show presented by The Nature of Wildworks and Mollie Hogan.  Mollie brought 5 birds along:  Sire the peregrine falcon, Queen the harris hawk, Dancer the barn owl, Dragon the red-tailed hawk, and Harry the turkey vulture.  While we didn't get to see some eagles, Mollie's educational presentation was a treat for everyone in the audience.  We saw Dragon eat a mouse, and how Harry made himself look big to scare potential predators.  Kids and adults of all ages were in awe of these birds of prey.  Mollie even called someone from the audience to pet Dancer the barn owl!  

Mollie Hogan and Queen woo the crowd!
Mollie Hogan and Queen woo the crowd! Photo: Yulissa Morales

All night, guests were welcome to grab some popcorn and sno-cones.  The night wouldn't be complete without a good ol' fashioned eagle-themed photobooth!  Even Dragon couldn't resist!

Say Falconry!
Say Falconry! Photo: Yulissa Morales

Once the audience was all birded up, we started the show.  Center Director Marcos Trinidad and Epic Pictures Co-Founder, Shaked Berenson spoke on the importance and beauty of the film and how it tied to Audubon's mission.  After that, it was lights..camera...ACTION!  Brothers of the Wind was a beautifully shot account of a boy who saves a golden eagle and the difficult choices of growing up and growing apart.  The audience was mesmerized by the story and cinematography.  As the movie came to a close, even a couple of neighborhood coyotes started howling from emotion.

Flap Flap Flap
Flap Flap Flap Photo: Yulissa Morales

Our summer film series continues next month with A Birder's Guide to Everything.  Join us on August 24th at 6:30pm for some nature arts and crafts and a fun movie about birding!  Follow our Summer Film Series, showing a movie outdoors on the 4th Friday of each month.

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