Hikers in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve / photo by Lanette Otvos

Grass: The Miraculous Plant

May 18, 2023
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sierra Azul Preserve
Approximate Total Miles
3.5

What do dinosaurs and grasslands have in common? Visit Mt. Umunhum with Docent Naturalists Bobbie Riedel, Kate Bauer, and Marie-Anne Neimat to find the answer. You’ll ramble through a mosaic of habitats at a leisurely pace, and learn how the emergence of grasslands drove animal adaptations. You’ll discover native California grasses and hear how they help mitigate climate change. You'll also find out why David Attenborough calls grass “this miraculous plant.”

Where to Meet

Meet at the Bald Mountain Parking Area located on Mt. Umunhum Rd. Exit Highway 85 at Camden Avenue. (From northbound Hwy. 85 turn left on Branham Avenue and then turn left on Camden Ave. and from southbound Hwy. 85 turn left on Camden Ave.) Travel on Camden Ave. about 1.6 miles to Hicks Road and turn right, and travel for about 6.3 miles. Turn right on Mt. Umunhum Rd. and continue for about 1.7 miles. The parking lot will be on the left.

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