Idyllwild Nature Center, Idyllwild County Park

Idyllwild Nature Center, Idyllwild, CA Idyllwild Nature Center
Explore...Create...Create...and Imagine...

The Idyllwild Park County Nature Center shares the magnificence of the San Jacinto Mountains with visitors of all ages. The Center offers over five miles of hiking trails that wind past stunning vistas in every direction.
Inside the Center there are a variety of exhibits on local nature and history and a gift shop. On the deck visitors enjoy a variety of birds feed and socialize. The Center is available to schools scout troops, and other organizations for guided hikes, Jr. Naturalist programs and field trips.
The Center also has several special events, including the Wildflower and Art Show, usually held on Memorial Day. Winter or Summer, there is always something to do.
Our spacious auditorium is available for receptions, parties and community functions and we are located within the Idyllwild Country Campground where both tent sites and hookups are available. There is a fee for day use in the park which helps the Center programming and facilities. You day use fee allows you to tour the museum. hike the trails, picnic and use off the facilities. Camping Reservations: www.Riversidecountyparks.org

Shelley Kibby, Park Ranger for Idyllwild Nature Center,, was a featured guest on SouthwestBlend.com’s ‘Champagne Sundays’ Online Radio Show. This show was a special Nature & Wildlife Show that aired live on April 6th, 2008. To listen to the entire, unedited show, please click here. To Listen to Shelley’s interview, please Double Click on the Play Button below.

Idyllwild Country Park Nature Center
25225 Hwy 243, PO Box 341, Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 659-3850
www.Idyllwildnaturecenter.net
Adults: $2.00; Children under 12: $1.00, Dogs (on leash): $1.00Summer Hours: Thursday-Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Fall hours: Friday Sunday from 9 am to 4:30 pm

Idyllwild Nature Center Events & Special Programs - 2008

May 23 & 24: Film Maker Reception, Viewings & Signings: On Friday, May 23^rd, join the Idyllwild Nature Center, as we celebrate 30 years of Wildflowers extravaganza! We will be hosting a meet and greet with the Filmmakers & Photographers of “Season of the Sand Blossoms,” Peter and Melanie Rhalter. This award winning 12 minute environmental art film is set to music and sounds of nature. The film immerses viewers in sights and sounds of the desert allowing for an amazing wildflower experience. View “Season of the Sand Blossoms” with subtitles to identify the more than 100 plants and animals shown. Also view, “Desert Gold”, the 18 minute documentary, an internationally-recognized, award winning film. Scientists and Native American tradition-keepers tell the life story of desert wildflowers. On Saturday, May 24th at 1:00pm, there will be a repeat viewing and Qs&As, signing and sales of DVD.

May 24-26: Memorial Weekend Wildflower & Art Exhibit: This annual event at the Idyllwild Nature Center features a kaleidoscope of color as native flowers and local artists display unique style and attributes dedicated to the flora of the Desert, San Gorgonio Pass and Mountains of the San Jacintos. Volunteers will gather wildflowers from the desert to the San Gorgonio Pass and the San Jacinto Mountain range for identification and display. Guest speakers will discuss species, characteristics of plants and gardening tips. Traditional Native plant usages will also be featured. The Center will have Naturalist-led walks, kid-crafts, music and native plants throughout the weekend. Speakers will be scheduled for 11:00am each day. Folk music provided by Joey Latimer and Friends. Friends group Native plant and book sales.

* May 24th Saturday- Native Usage of plants with Alice Kotzen, Alice will share recipes, foods, and an array of tools and accessories that have been created utilizing native plants.

* May 25th Sunday - Landscaper & Water Conservationist, Valerie Phillips, will share what makes for successful gardening for the mountains, plants that will thrive, conservation tips, drought resistant and critter friendly.

* May 26th Monday- Join Interpreter Tracy Albrecht, from the Santa Rosa National Monument, for “Wildflowers under the scope” identify parts of plants and flowers also participate in wildflower bingo for prizes.

June 7-Aug. 23: Junior Naturalist Program: Held on Saturdays from 10am-2pm, from June 7th to August 23rd. Programs will include a nature walk, craft and snack. All programs are for children ages 7 yrs – 12 yrs. Under 7 accompanied with an adult. Cost is $2.00 per child.

Topics to include:

- Planter’s Potpourri - Walking through the world of plants, learn how their plumbing system works, the variety of products that come from plants, learn flowering facts, explore the plant down under!

- Little Critters & Bug Basics- come up with an Insect check list for sizes, shapes, colors & charateristics. Learn some body language for ants, What are the odds and ends of flies?

- Bigger Critters- Mammal Miscellaneous- Learn basic Mammal Musts, Tricky Tracks & Signs, Habitats & Happenings.

- For the Birds - Bird Bits & Banter, Feather Facts, Eggsexploration, Birding and a Life List.

- Orienteering & Map Games, Making an Orienteering Dictionary, Hang & Seek game, Tell stories using a map. Trivia Orienteering.

- Rocking & Rolling with Geology- Make Fossil casts, create a seismograph and an exploding volcano!

Aug. 30- Sept. 1: Labor Day Weekend at the Idyllwild Nature Center: Enjoy Labor Day weekend at the Idyllwild Nature Center with guest speakers, guided naturalist walks, crafts for the kids, relaxation and the fresh scent of pine surrounding you.
Guest speakers and activities include:

- Saturday August 30: 10:00am - 12:00pm. Carolyn Meade Ed. Director of the Big Morongo Preserve. Kids love to see who ate who by participating in the dissection of an animals belly..actually it’s a plastic glove with jello stuff and plastic parts inside but the kids will be charting and matching the pieces and parts to animals they believe was dinner or dined.

- Sunday August 31: 10:00am - 12:00pm. Dr. Bill Hayes from Loma Linda University with Live Rattlesnakes. He’ll be discussing myths and truths through Q and A with audiences participation. Learn about species, characteristics, venom, treatments, and queer actions and attributes of rattlesnakes.

- Monday September 1: 10:00am - 12:00pm. Dr. Kirk Olsen, also known as (DR. Bug Guy) from LA City College returns for Q & A with kids and adults on what makes a True bug? Learn the characteristics of Insects & Bugs. Have you come across the Assassin & Kissing bugs?

Sept. 20: First Annual Flint Fest at the Idyllwild Nature Center: Features a gathering of knappers from different regions exhibiting their skills as they demonstrate the ancient art of stone tool making. Techniques include direct percussion, (hitting larger flakes from another stone) and pressure flaking (pushing smaller flakes off from another stone). These demonstrations will reflect the processes used by local Native Americans as well as people from around the world. Highlights of the weekend activities include competitions, Best Of Show, and opportunities to purchase of modern made arrowheads, knives, and other stone and beaded work. Presenters will demonstrate techniques and provide informative talks on various related subjects.

Oct. 25: Acorn Day 2008: 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Join Archaeologist Daniel Mc Carthy and others at the Idyllwild Nature Center for a hands on experience as we learn about native usage of the acorn. Join in the fun as we gather, sort, shell, and ground acorns and make wiwish, the traditional meal for the Cahuilla. Bring and share your favorite acorn recipe. For the kids, a craft and various games will be on going through the day.

For more information on Idyllwild, CA, please click here.