Field trip with Denis Kearns.

Saturday, March 18, 9:00 a.m. to about 4:00 p.m.
Participation is limited to 25.
Advance registration required at synature@west.net or 805 693-5683.
Members free/non-members $20.

Join us for an adventure in Carrizo Plain National Monument with BLM Botanist Denis Kearns, where we may (depending on rainfall) find acres of spring wildflowers, and will certainly explore the other natural wonders of this remote area, including diverse undisturbed wildlife habitat, incredible views, and fascinating human history.

Bring lunch, lots of water, good sun protection, dress in layers for possible swings in temperature, and wear sturdy hiking shoes. We may cross slippery or rocky areas, so please bring hiking poles if you normally use them. Our hikes probably will not be long, but the terrain may be uneven. There are some facilities in the Monument, but they are widely spaced. Soda Lake Road and the other roads in Carrizo Plain are unimproved dirt; please drive appropriate vehicles. All-wheel drive or 4WD vehicles are encouraged.

Denis Kearns is the field office Botanist for the Bakersfield BLM Field Office, managing public lands from the crest of the Sierra Nevada to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, and Madera Counties, including the Carrizo Plain National Monument. His work includes botanical surveys, vegetation mapping, rare plant monitoring, restoration of degraded habitat (including seed collection), control of invasive plants, and writing environmental documents, among other duties. Denis has a bachelor’s degree in Botany from UCSB, a master’s from HSU on the reproductive biology in the Saxifragaceae, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin on systematics in the Cucurbitaceae, the Squash Family.

Featured photo: Carrizo Plain in spring. Photo: John Evarts