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Conservation Ranching & How it Benefits Grassland Ecosystems
June 24, 2024 @ 5:00 pm - 7:15 pm
What makes Shell Creek in San Luis Obispo County so beautiful in the spring with wildflowers? Join us on MONDAY, June 24, 2024 for a joint picnic with the Morro Coast Audubon Society to learn how conservation grazing practices benefit plants, birds and many other inhabitants of grassland ecosystems. Presented by Daniel Sinton, part of the family that owns and operates both the Avenales and the Shell Creek Ranch (of Shell Creek wildflower fame) and Grace Ferguson from the California Audubon Conservation Ranching Program. The presentation will be outside as we enjoy an early evening summer picnic at El Chorro Regional Park from 6 to 7:15 pm. Come early for an informal bird walk from 5 to 6 pm. Details below.
Location Details: El Chorro Regional Park in San Luis Obispo (see address and map below). Bird hike, picnic, and presentation will start and end at the Dairy Creek Group area which is the third group area on your left as you drive into the park (across the street from the SLO Botanical Garden Children’s Garden). The closest restrooms are located at the Lupine Group Day Use Area or near the entrance to the park. This is an ADA accessible group area.
RSVP: Please let us know if you are planning on attending, and how many hamburgers you would like us to prepare for your party by clicking on the link below.
Here is the complete link if you need it: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UO77j8tmfNTOs_3rI913H8m92dMKXFQwC5Y2Cpr_QQE
Picnic Details: Bring a dish to share (with serving utensils), and your own reusable table setting (plate, cup, flatware, etc.), in addition to a picnic tablecloth if you have one. If you’d rather not share, bring your own meal, OR have a hamburger on us – this year, MCAS, in conjunction with the CA Audubon Conservation Ranching Program, will be providing BBQ’d hamburgers made with CA Audubon Certified Bird Friendly beef for anyone interested. Assorted beverages and cookies will be provided by MCAS hospitality.
Birding Field Trip: Prior to the Picnic, an informal birding field trip around El Chorro Regional Park led by Torrey Gage-Tomlinson and Mark Mushkat will be held from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Join Torrey and Mark for a late afternoon walk through the varied habitats and surrounding environs of El Chorro Regional Park. This short bird walk will be over gentle terrain and will begin and end in the Dairy Creek Group area in time for the Morro Coast Audubon Annual Picnic! People of all birding skills are welcome. Some of the species we might expect to see include White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered Hawk, California Quail, Western Scrub-jay, Western Bluebird, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock’s Oriole. Bring your own binoculars and take a casual stroll with fellow birders. No signups are required for this birding walk.