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October 2013 Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association Needs Your Help
Serving the Lafayette Community Youth Commission Presents Haunted House
The wildfire that just one month ago ravaged the eastern side of Mount Diablo is a memory, but the devastation left in its wake is ever-present. While naturalists acknowledge that such a fire is merely part of the environmental cycle, and that it will take only three to five years for the area to regenerate, they also acknowledge that Mother Nature could use a hand in the healing process. Assisting in the rehabilitation of the charred picnic areas, mangled fencing, and damaged signage is the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA), a non-profit volunteer organization which assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mt. Diablo State Park for its 700,000 visitors each year. Started in 1974 as an informal interest group, MDIA later became formally recognized by the State Park system as the single cooperative association for Mt. Diablo State Park. MDIA’s responsibility has grown over the years to include the publication of guidebooks, maps, and newsletters and the overseeing of all merchandising. The
Brave visitors to the Lafayette Youth Commission’s annual Haunted House can expect bigger scares this year. This local Halloween tradition is observing its tenth anniversary, and youth commissioners promise some new surprises for those seeking shelter in this year’s themed Haunted Motel.
By Fran Miller
By Fran Miller
Lafayette Youth Commission Chair, Julia Goddard, inspects the dinner fare (event volunteer Robbie Plafker) at last year's LYC Haunted House.
Offering “not too scary,” and “definitely scary” options, the Haunted Motel will be open for business on Friday, October 25th and Sunday, October 27th at the Community Center’s Live Oak Room. Young
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Photo by Steve Hutchcraft
association is proud to have played a major role in the construction and recent remodel of the museum atop Mt. Diablo’s summit, and it is responsible for the creation and staffing of the Visitor Center at Mitchell Canyon. MDIA publishes the popular Trail Map of Mount Diablo State Park, various natural history brochures, and Mountain News. MDIA was instrumental in the creation of an interpretive trail from Blackhawk to the summit, where hikers learn of 150 million years of geologic history, ancient landscapes, prehistoric animal life, evolving plant forms, and also the massive tectonic forces that formed the mountain today. The association is operated by a number of committed volunteers who work handin-hand with park staff and carry out duties as requested. MDIA President Jim Mitchell, who retired this past April as Director of R&D for the Clorox Company and now spends much of his time on Mt. Diablo, says that MDIA often has more volunteers in the park than park staff. “It’s like running a small business,” says Mitchell. MDIA’s day-to-day focus is to enhance the public’s appreciation of the mountain through education programs, nature hikes and other sponsored activities, but the association and its volunteers are ready to jump-in during a crisis. MDIA will be teaming with the State Park to accomplish restoration, repair, and replacement of fire-damaged
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Mountain Lions in our Midst By Fran Miller
Mountain lion, puma, cougar – the moniker might differ, but the beautiful and often misunderstood creature is one in the same. Despite occasional news reports of local mountain lion sightings, the chances of seeing one in our area are very rare. In fact, 85-90% of all reported sightings in California are actually cases of mistaken identity. The odds of an encounter – defined as actual interaction between cat and human – are even lower. So why are hikers and runners Zara McDonald on Bay Area trails so fearful? They needn’t Volume VII - Number 10 be, claims Zara McDonald, Executive 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Director of the Felidae Conservation Alamo, CA 94507 Fund, based in Marin County. In fact, Telephone (925) 405-6397 mountain lions are a fundamental and Fax (925) 406-0547 critical puzzle piece in our ecosystem. editor@yourmonthlypaper.com “Very small numbers of the general Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher public understand that mountain lions The opinions expressed herein belong to the and do not necessarily reflect that of Larepresent an extremely low risk to writers, fayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible humans,” says McDonald. “The tangible for the content of any of the advertising herein,
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nor does publication imply endorsement.