You’ll Flip for Flapjacks – Come on Down to the Marsh
If it’s October, it’s time for the Sea and Sage Audubon Society’s 21st annual pancake breakfast at the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh.
Come enjoy a beautiful morning at the Marsh on Saturday, October 26 from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunlight filtering through the sycamores is a great compliment to the fragrance of pancakes and sausage fresh off the grill. Add in the sights and sounds of the Marsh awakening and you have the perfect way to start the day.
Reservations are required by calling the Audubon House at (949) 261-7963 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. The cost of the breakfast is $10 for adults and $6 for children age six or under. Children under age three are free. Included are pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, orange juice, milk and coffee.
There is something for everyone at the pancake breakfast. This year, bird walks are scheduled during the morning, before and after breakfast. Be sure to bring your binoculars. Several scope stations will be set up where visitors can get close up views of the birds out on the ponds.
Drop by the book table, which will have a great selection of used nature books. The book sale begins at 7 a.m.
Stop by the Education table for a great exhibit showcasing some of the art projects the kids made at camp this summer. Learn about opportunities for adult volunteers to help share a love of nature with school children. Find out about the new education program which combines art with science, plus a host of other exciting education activities to investigate.
In the Duck Club, there will be ample information about the Sea and Sage chapter and many ways to become involved. Raffle cards may be stamped for entry into the drawing for special prizes.
Near the welcome table next to the Audubon House, Wild Birds Unlimited will have a table with bird seed, feeders, and other bird feeding items. They welcome questions about how or what to feed your birds, where to place your bird bath, what plants attract birds, and what to do if the birds are not coming to your feeders.
Optics4Birding will display some of their optics equipment for birders on the back porch of the Duck Club. This is a good opportunity for you to check out the latest in binoculars or scopes and ask questions.
Don't forget to stop by Audubon House to see the taxidermy birds on display, browse through the gift shop and book store, and check out the newly reorganized reference library. Volunteers inside Audubon House will be available to answer questions about Sea and Sage, birds, conservation issues, and education.
Check out the Sea and Sage website for more information.
Students Get Questions Answered at Ask-A-Scientist Night
Students are gearing up for the annual Irvine Unified School District science fair, which takes place on February 25, 2014. Ask-a-Scientist Night gives the students a kick-start on their projects, especially if they need a little extra help.
Irvine Ranch Water District engineers and water quality experts have participated in this event since its inception more than 20 years ago. More than30 curiousity filled students with questions filed through the “Water and Earth Science” room at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School the evening of October 16.
Joining other science and engineering professionals in talking to students were Mike Hoolihan, IRWD Principal Engineer, Alex Murphy, assistant engineer, and John Hills, IRWD’s retired Director of Water Quality.
For more information on our educational programs, please visit our website.
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
Fall is a Great Time to Visit the Marsh
When was the last time you visited the Irvine Ranch Water District’s San Joaquin Marsh? There is no better time than the present to visit this best kept secret in Irvine.
The Marsh is a reconstructed wetlands designed to clean urban runoff from San Diego Creek before it reaches environmentally sensitive Upper Newport Bay. Besides enhancing water quality, the Marsh provides a home to some 230 species of birds and other wildlife in a park-like setting.
Additionally, the Marsh contains 12 miles of meandering hiking trails on 320 acres and is open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. Best of all, the Marsh is free.
Visitors are encourages to bring binoculars for bird watching. But there are other animals that might be seen, such as bobcats, rabbits, squirrels, field mice and rats. The small rodent population is kept in check by the predatory animals and birds of prey.
The Marsh is located off Campus Drive near University Drive, on Riparian View. Follow Riparian View to the end of the pavement and into the parking lot.
For more information on the Marsh, please visit our website.
IRWD Blood Drive Scheduled October 16
Irvine Ranch Water District is holding a blood drive on October 16 and the public is invited to participate.
The drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the District’s headquarters, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.
Please contact Veronica Robles at (949) 453-5436 to schedule an appointment, which are available every 20 minutes. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis. Walk ins are also welcome.
IRWD has hosted blood drives for more than 20 years. In addition to the Red Cross, UCI Medical Center has also been a partner.
Some advice before donating:
- Hydrate – be sure to drink plenty of fluids on the day of your donation.
- Wear something comfortable. Wear clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up above the elbow.
- Maintain a healthy level of iron in your diet before donating. If possible, include iron-rich foods in your diet, especially in the days before your donation.
- Bring a list of the medications you are taking, whether they are prescription or over the counter.
- Bring your identification. This may either be a donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification.
More information is available on the Red Cross website.
IRWD and Extension Collaborate on Landscape Open House
The annual Residential Demonstration Landscape Open House and Vendor Fair is set for Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine. The facility is located at 7601 Irvine Boulevard. This is the fifth consecutive year that UC Extension and Irvine Ranch Water District cooperated on this event.
Included in the daylong event are guided garden walks, discussions about gardening and irrigation practices, and plant sales. Fifty percent of all household water use is in the yard, so residents can find out how to cut back on watering and save money.
There is no charge for admission to this event. Here is a sampling of what customers can expect at the Open House:
- A discussion about edible landscaping
- Home ant control, easy as 1,2,3
- Irrigation product information
- A demonstration on self-watering vegetable garden containers
- Composting – learn how to turn yard waste into black gold
- Children’s activity – planting seeds
- Sample varieties of fruit grown at the South Coast Research and Extension Center
- Free tool sharpening by OC Blacksmiths
- Random opportunities throughout the day
Visit the South Coast Research and Extension Center website, or contact Tammy Majcherek at (949) 733-3970 for more information.
