As we near the end of spring semester, many classes throughout the district are taking field trips to Gold Creek, enjoying the opportunity to learn in a natural setting. Plants currently in bloom include woolly blue curls, chamise, and black sage. The creek is alive with tadpoles, water striders, whirligig beetles, and much more. Reptiles recently seen include side-blotched lizards, western fence lizards, western whiptail lizards, and a striped racer.
Saturday, April 29, 2017 was Gold Creek Field Station's annual Open House for LACCD employees and their families. Over 100 attendees visited the site to hike the trails, commune with nature, and celebrate the life of a longstanding Gold Creek supporter, Don Misumi. The blockhouse was officially dedicated as the Don Misumi Natural Science Laboratory in a moving ceremony. Most of the field station's trails were traversed in guided hikes led by committee members. We invite those visiting this project because of Open House to join this project and contribute any photos you took while at Gold Creek. Through iNaturalist you can keep up with the field station all throughout the year.
After a wonderful rainy winter that brought messy debris flows, spring has arrived at Gold Creek. The creek is flowing, though the water level is not as high as it was just after the heavy rains (good news for humans trying to cross it). The spring annuals are getting a strong start throughout the property and grasses are high. The chaparral is bustling with brush rabbits, wood rats, and California quail. The field station should be particularly impressive for upcoming visits from students this spring semester!
