Ventura River Preserve Family Nocturnal Exploration, Ojai, Ventura County, Easy

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/7/6/e/event_87102862.jpeg5PM-7PM

As the sun sets, follow a naturalist on an easy walk through an oak woodland, grassland, shrubland, and riverbank environment. Witness the changing of the guard as the diurnal wildlife go to sleep and the nocturnal wildlife awake. Listen for strange voices and footsteps, watch for passing shadows, smell mysterious fragrances, and feel the textures of the rocks, plants, and soil. Bring a flashlight to look for eyeshine and other nocturnal phenomenon. At the halfway point, participants will turn off lights, stay still, and observe surroundings in total silence for at least 5 minutes to maximize the nocturnal experience. Fun for the whole family, including little ones.

The Ventura River Preserve is owned and managed by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC). If you would like to support OVLC, please become a member: http://www.ovlc.org/join-us/become-a-member/

Who: Kids and up. Minors must be accompanied by parents or legal guardian. Maximum capacity=20 participants.
Where: The Preserve is accessible from Riverview trailhead on Rice Road just south of El Roblar Road. For more details about the location:http://www.ovlc.org/preserves/ventura-river-rancho-el-nido/
Difficulty: Easy (1-2 miles round trip, some elevation gain, dirt trail, uneven terrain)

Special Instructions/Supplies: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before start time. Bring a minimum of 1 quart (32 oz) of water per person. Bring snacks and/or full meal. Wear weather protection (jacket, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.), durable hiking socks and close-toed hiking shoes (extra pair for wet tours), long pants, and backpack for snacks. Bring swimsuit and towel for wet tours. Bring first aid kit (Band-Aids, antiseptic, allergy medicine, tweezers, etc.) and cell phone. Bring flashlight/headlamp and layered clothing for evening tours. Walking sticks are recommended for tours with stream crossings or uneven terrain. Bring trash bag for litter along the trail.

RSVP: If unable to RSVP through Meetup, please email jrobinson@naturalist-for-you.org or call 714-649-9084, unless otherwise noted in description. Donations are optional (suggested amount of $5-10 per person). Please leave your name, contact information, and total # in your party. We cannot be reached by cell phone at tour locations, so please ask questions and confirm tour details well in advance.

See http://www.naturalist-for-you.org/calendar.htm or join https://www.meetup.com/naturalist-for-you/ for upcoming tours. You can also follow our fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naturalist-For-You/355183848682?ref=ts

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