Bridge to Nature - Winter 2024

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

RIP OREO We are sad to announce the passing of Oreo, our California kingsnake. She was 12 years old and met hundreds, if not, thousands of kids through the programs at the Nature Center. Oreo had an adventurous and curious nature. She was a wonderful animal ambassador and will surely be missed by all.

IN THIS ISSUE: HAUNTED ADVENTURE RECAP

NATIVE AMERICAN DAY RECAP SPRING AND SUMMER CAMPS BOBCATS

LOCAL BATS TRAIL CAM UPDATES WINTER/SPRING PROGRAMS

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

Haunted Adventure 2023

2023's Haunted Adventure was a roaring success! The four night event drew over 1,100 guests and received a 4 out of 5 stars on Hollywood Gothique, an online entertainment source for Halloween, sci-fi, and fantasy events in Los Angeles.

In addition to the main attraction, there was a carnival at Stough Park, where families played various Halloween games.

We are grateful to all the amazing volunteers who make these events possible, thank you!

Stay tuned for Haunted Adventure 2024!

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

We had a very special guest for our Native American Day on September 22, 2023.

Eric Michael Hernandez is from the Lumbee tribe and started hoop dancing as a child. The hoops represent the never ending circle of life. Through his dance, he creates shapes with the hoops symbolizing different animals such as eagles and butterflies.

Participants had the opportunity to learn part of the hoop dance, paint rocks, learn about acorn processing, and native plants.

We look forward to another educational and fun Native American Day for 2024!

Native American Native American DayDay

September 22, 2023 September 22, 2023

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

Camps at the Nature Center The Stough Canyon Nature Center and the Verdugo Mountains provides an unique opportunity for kids to experience the wonder of nature through hikes, educational activities, and crafts.

The Nature Center offers three camps throughout the year:

Winter in the Wild Winter Camp 1/2- 1/5

Verdugo Mountain Explorers Spring Camp 3/18-3/22

Stough Canyon Nature Experiences Summer Camp multiple sessions All camp is for kids 5 1/2 to 11 years old.

For more information or registration please go to www.burbankparks.com

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

Animal spotlight: Bobcat Lynx rufus

Lives: 10-12 years old in the wild, longer in captivity.

Size: 15-35 pounds, male bobcats are heavier than females.

The secretive bobcat is well adapted to urban environments. They travel and hide beneath dense vegetation and live in dens such as tree trunks, caves, rocky outcroppings, and even crawlspaces beneath homes!

They are solidary animals and extremely shy of people.

Attacks from bobcats on humans are virtually unheard of.

Bobcats are named due to their characteristic bobtail and have short tuffs on top of their ears. They have excellent vision, hearing, sense of smell, and can run as fast as 25-30 miles per hour.

They are important for the ecosystem by reducing rodent population and culling weaker or sick deer.

Like house cats, bobcats will sometimes cover their scat with dirt or leaves.

I’m a great swimmer and can even catch fish!

Bobcats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

THE BATS OF STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER Bats are commonly seen around the Nature Center during dusk in the summer. This is when they are most active, as most bats hibernate during winter or migrate to warmer weather. We suspect bats may be roosting nearby the Nature Center.

Like snakes and spiders, bats are misunderstood by the public.

Although they can look spooky, they play an extremely important role in pest control.

Bat Facts!

Mexican free tailed bats can fly up to 10,000 feet hight!

Healthy bats DO NOT have rabies. But, if you see a bat on the ground, leave it alone and call animal control.

Bats can catch up to 600 or more mosquitoes per hour!

Our poop, also known as guano, makes fantastic fertilizer for plants!

One of the more common bats in the Los Angeles area, the Mexican free tailed bat commonly roost near the Los Angele River, as they prefer insects found near water.

Bats are important pollinators, they help pollinate over 300 species of fruit!

Bats have big appetites and consume a huge number of insects each night, including mosquitoes! It is estimated that bats help US Agriculture save at least $3.7 billions of dollars in pest control.

Bats can consume up to 6,000-8,ooo insects per night!

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

Trail Cam Updates The Nature Center has trail cameras set up amongst the hills of the Verdugo Mountains.

Here are a few recent wildlife sightings. Trail cameras help us understand what wildlife are inhabiting the Verdugo Mountains as well as documenting their behaviors.

This doe stands in front of deerweed, a common native plant of the Verdugo Mountains. Deerweed gets it’s name from being one of deer’s favorite snacks! The bright yellow flowers attract pollinators and is a pioneer species, meaning it quickly grows in disturbed environments such as the aftermath of a wild fire.

These two coyotes are coming out from a small canyon, most likely a hunting pair. Coyotes form family groups but generally hunt alone. However, they will sometimes form hunting pairs. Coyotes are also known to form hunting partners with other animals like badgers and ravens.

This coyote is marking his territory with urine. Coyotes are in the canine family which includes dogs. Coyotes also mark their territories with scat, many times depositing it on top of rocks so it is visible to other animals. So next time you see a rock with poop on top, it might be from a coyote!

BRIDGE TO

NATURE

Stough Canyon Nature Center 2300 E. Walnut Ave. Burbank, CA 91501 818-238-5440 Naturecenter@burbankca.gov

STOUGH CANYON NATURE CENTER NEWSLETTER

CLOSED MONDAYS TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9AM - 5PM SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM

WINTER/SPRING 2024

Winter & Spring Programs For more information or registration please go to www.burbankparks.com

Nature Apprentice

Cute and Cuddly Animals!

1/9-3/5 on Tuesday at 3:30pm-5:00pm 3/26-5/13 on Tuesday at 3:30pm-5:00pm

1/8-3/4 on Monday at 4:30pm-5:30pm 1/8-3/4 on Monday at 5:45pm-6:45pm

Nature Tots

Wildlife Biology!

1/8-3/4 on Monday at 9:30am-11:30am 3/25-5/13 on Monday at 10:00am-12:00pm

3/25-5/13 on Monday at 4:30pm-5:30pm 3/25-5/13 on Monday at 5:45pm-6:45pm

Marine Biology!

Young Doctor’s Pre Med Academy

1/11-2/29 on Thursday at 4:30pm-5:30pm 1/11-2/29 on Thursday at 5:45pm-6:45pm

3/28-5/16 on Thursday at 4:30pm-5:30pm 3/28-5/16 on Thursday at 5:45pm-6:45pm

Monthly Programs Moonlight Hike Time varies - please call the Nature Center 1/25, 2/23, 3/25, and 4/23

Story Owl Hour Last Thursday of each month at 10am-11am 1/25, 2/22, 3/28, and 4/25

Wild Creatures Walk Last Sunday of each month at 11am-12pm 1/28, 2/25, 3/24, and 4/28 For more information or registration please go to www.burbankparks.com