PUBLIC PROGRAMS

760.832.0105 • calisolearning@earthlink.net

ADULT PROGRAMS

Our adult programs are the perfect addition to community events, festivals, corporate gatherings, organization meetings and assemblies. We offer unique, natural and cultural science themed presentations that are engaging and are sure to add a memorable component to your group's experience. Below are examples of ready-to-go program packets, however we specialize in customizing programs to meet the interest of your group. 

ANCIENT ABUNDANCE: Cahuilla Plant Use of the Past

Discover desert abundance hidden in the plant world as you learn to identify plants that were important for the ancient Cahuilla. Some of the most creative applications, lessons, and spiritual beliefs were directly inspired by the plant world.  Specific plants will help us explore their connection to native life in the past as we uncover some of the vast Cahuilla plant knowledge that appeared in their cosmology and moral teachings as well as practical uses found in daily living and medicine.

ANIMALS AND THE ANCIENTS

Native Americans experienced an important connection in their knowledge of the animal world. Some of the most creative applications, lessons, and spiritual beliefs are directly inspired by the animal world. Animal adaptations, physical appearance and their defense tricks will help us explore their connection to native life in the past, along with these questions: How were venomous animals utilized by the Cahuilla and other Native Americans? Which animals were important to traditional interpretations, metaphors and native cosmology? How do certain animals become social taboo? General examples will be included from different Native American tribes, but concentration of this introductory information will be on Cahuilla representations of animal inspiration that appear in their cosmology and moral teachings as well as practical faunal uses for daily living and medicine.

THE CACTUS PAD

Add striking visual appeal to your pad by landscaping with one of the most conspicuous plants of the desert landscape: the cactus. Planting cacti in your drought-tolerant garden can add striking focal points in the form of living sculptures, while adding vibrant color that liven up any desert landscape. Adaptations that shape the cactus family today are illustrated along with their role in perpetuating habitat corridors important in the survival of local wildlife. (You’ll also find out the value of that “white-cottony substance” that appears on many Opuntia species—and how to get rid of this pesky creature.)

HAPPY TRAILS*

Reading maps and trail directions correctly are important to know for an enjoyable hike. Topographic maps, commonly used by hikers, surveyors, and scientists, use contour lines to map out the surface of the earth that help them read the shape of the land. Learn how to read these maps and follow temporary trail signs--a must for hikers of any age! Navigate your way around a topographic map using common topographic symbols, get down and dirty by creating a topographic map using individual clay models of your own creation.

NATURE NICHE: Backyard Habitats

A homeowner’s conscience effort to choose landscapes with native desert plants will help to conserve our precious natural resources and give local species a chance to succeed in critical pockets of neighborhood habitats. Through the simple act of saving water you can enjoy low-maintenance landscaping and the peaceful desert wilds these plants will offer right in your own yard environment.  The ecological benefits of native plants are highlighted in this presentation, offering information for attracting watch-able wildlife while providing natural habitat important to the survival of several native species.

THE PRICKLY NATIVE

Native Americans reveal an intimate knowledge of plants when sharing their historical uses of the indigenous species found throughout traditional landscapes. One of the most conspicuous plants of the desert landscape is the cactus. Adaptations that shape the cactus family today are explored along with these questions: How was the cactus utilized by the Cahuilla and other Native Americans? Were these plants, covered with protective spines, showy blossoms and succulent fruit important in traditional interpretations, metaphors or stories? And what is that white cotton-like substance found on some cactus? Slide show and related items.

Take a walk on the wildflower side! Ethnobotany of Wildflowers (Spring)

Rediscover some of your favorite desert wildflowers through live specimens and slides as you learn which species were important sources of food and medicine, Cahuilla cosmology, and even recreation. Adaptations that shape the brief life of many spring ephemerals are explored along with these questions: How were these short-lived wildflowers utilized by the Cahuilla and other Native Americans? Were these plants important in daily life, traditional interpretations, metaphors or stories? On-site/Off-site option

TORTOISE TALK*

Discover the desert tortoise up close: how it lives, what it likes to eat, and how it survives in the desert as you follow a day in the life of a tortoise. Learn how to recognize tortoise activity in the wild and why this ancient survivor needs our protection today. Live tortoises not available October through February/March (they’re in hibernation)

SCORPION NIGHT!

Dare to be there! Join our night time search for one of the desert’s most mysterious animals: the scorpion. Learn why this highly adapted animal is not that scary as we cover its curious anatomy, unique burrows, behavior, courtship, birth and parenting, venom, fluorescence, mistaken identity and ecology. We will provide you with UV lights for our nighttime search after the presentation. This is a two hour program (including night scorpion walk).

*popular family programs

Program fee of $150 includes the following for any single adult program above:

    --all materials and hand-outs/packets provided by Caliso Learning for up to 40 participants

    --program length up to 1.5 hours maximum, unless otherwise stated

    --qualified instructor

    --Topo-Loco only = $45 materials fee added to program fee for 41-90 participants, $90 added for 91-140 participants, and so on.

Contact: (760) 832-0105 or calisolearning@earthlink.net

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FAMILY PROGRAMS / YOUNG NATURALIST  

Our young naturalist and family programs feature hands-on, interactive experiences that stimulate the learning process in a fun, engaging way. Our programs, designed to interest all ages, are the perfect addition to family oriented community programs and festivals, and family-friendly corporate gatherings and events. To make each program unique to your needs we specialize in creating custom, nature-themed presentations that best fit the interest and needs of your audience. Please contact us for topic ideas and activities so we can build a program for you today that is sure to add a memorable experience to your group's event. Contact: (760) 832-0105 or calisolearning@earthlink.net

Program fee of $200 includes the following for any single family or young naturalist program:

    --All lesson materials provided by Caliso Learning for up to 20 participants at a time

    --Program length up to 2 hours maximum

    --Hands-on activities

    --Qualified instructor

    --All lessons include elements that integrate California state and district standards for elementary grades

    --$25 materials fee added to program fee for 21-40 participants (maximum), per program.

Contact: (760) 832-0105 or calisolearning@earthlink.net

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OUTDOOR CLASSES

Hike of the Ancients

$40 per person

An interpretive, 3-hour outdoor class that includes a hike exploring ancient Cahuilla plant and animal resources set in beautiful Andreas Canyon. Learn to identify a variety of plants and animals important to ancient hunter-gatherer communities who relied on these resources for food, material, medicine, ceremony, and social conduct. Class fee includes your $8 entrance fee to the Indian Canyons and use of related materials, and a take home booklet of ancient Cahuilla animal and plant uses by Caliso Learning. Water and snacks also provided. Easy, one mile, loop hike. This class is available October through March. Be sure to check our Calendar of Events for Hike of the Ancients classes at other locations throughout the valley, or contact Michelle to arrange a class (5 person minimum) at (760) 832-0105 or calisolearning@earthlink.net

the desert responds

$40 per person

Experience the desert in a way that awakens your senses during this interpretive, 3-hour outdoor class. Stimulate your sense of sound, touch, taste, and smell in response to common desert plants you will learn to identify beyond simple observation. Desert ecology and species interconnectedness round out this “extra-sensory” approach to the way in which plants and animals respond to a desert environment. Class fee includes use of related materials, and hand lens (to keep). Water and snacks, also provided. Easy, 1-1/2 mile, loop hike. This class is available October through March. Be sure to check our Calendar of Events for The Desert Responds classes at other locations throughout the valley, or contact Michelle to arrange a class (5 person minimum) at (760) 832-0105 or calisolearning@earthlink.net

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OUTDOOR funWORKSHOPS   

Families are going green: more teachers and parents are taking their children outside! Simple exploration of the natural world provides a perfect extension for students, scouts and other young naturalists to apply important concepts learned in the classroom to the outdoors. Taking a hike or exploring the desert lot next to your home or school is a wonderful way for children to apply what they've learned, in an entirely different setting! It is often an experience that creates fond memories and appreciation for the natural world. Taking your child outside presents a stimulating learning environment where you can create adventures that will excite and delight naturalists of any age, from toddler to teen. 

Our outdoor workshops offer quick and easy techniques that focus on natural science & desert ecology; easily adapted to accommodate all ages. Each workshop is designed to integrate necessary components of CA state standards for a well-rounded learning experience and is open to teachers, informal educators, home school teachers, and parents! Participants will take part in engaging activities that apply field-teaching techniques meant to inspire budding ecologists! All materials provided. Educators will also receive a “getting started nature kit,” including materials ready to go into the field with your class. After a half day with us, you'll be ready to take it outside! 

H.E.L.P.

Helping the Earth Live with People

Activity lessons designed to raise awareness of human impact on our local habitats by combining classroom skills such as listening, observation, investigation and interpretation, simple graphing, creative writing and more. The following is a sampling of activities that can also be replicated back on campus grounds or as close as your backyard:

• Trail Tales – a fun, individual activity that challenges keen observational skills as well as trains the eye for picking out man-made items that don’t belong in nature.
• Ecology Wristlet – wearable, make-and-take reminder of the key principles needed for a healthy habitat.         
• Noise vs. Nature – a brief silent hike, followed by a simple experiment discovering the ratio of human-made noise vs. the sounds of nature; contemplating which makes more “noise,” and the possibility of finding a noise-less spot.
• That’s Classified – whether in a natural area, school yard or backyard, you’ll likely find critter homes of all styles, outdoors. Studying animal homes and recording details about their placement, materials, size, shape, etc. then applying that information through some creative alternatives.

   

Eco-Palette 

Lessons in camouflage, color matching, observation, visual storytelling, investigation, life cycles, art, and much more. Lessons can be replicated on school grounds or as close as your backyard! Activities include but are not limited to:

• Trail Tales – an activity demonstrating camouflage principles in a fun and slightly competitive way!
• ‘Hue See That? and Rainbow Bingo trains young naturalists eyes to recognize ROYGBIV spectrum in nature; differentiating between like hues necessary in identifying more challenging color patterns.
• Ecology Wristlet – a crafty “make and take” to remember key principles of a healthy habitat.   
• Life Cycle Art – elements in creating a simple, yet beautiful leaf life cycle display 

Map Attack!

Fun activities you can replicate on school grounds or as close as your backyard! Lessons involve listening skills, following direction, mapping, observation, mathematical sequence, investigation, and much more. Activities include but are not limited to:

• Tell-Tale Trail – requires building and interpreting trail signs and symbols, follow directions carefully and you will find your destination!
• Sound Spot – will heighten listening skills while estimating distance, identifying man-made vs. natural sounds; mapping and more.
• Micro-mapping –  mapping on a small scale; using a hand lens to study a small area while mapping features.
• Sign Tracking – follow the route, find the signs; animal and plant tracking observations, scavenger hunt style.

Each workshop:

Length: 4 hours;  9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fee: $90/person

Fee includes:

• all workshop materials needed to participate

• "getting started nature kit" to take home, with tools and materials for up to 20 students to get you started with your class right away!

• entrance fee

• Teacher packet with numerous lessons and activities, homework, individual studies, filler ideas--all outdoor inspired. 

• Snacks and water

HIKES

Our hikes are a wonderful way to enhance your experience in the Coachella Valley by learning more about our unique geology, geography, natural and cultural histories.  Hiking is a great activity for the entire family, often creating fond memories and appreciation for our vital natural resources. Our hikes also provide the perfect extension for your travel group, company retreat, or community programs and meetings. The following hikes are our most popular and are easily adapted to accommodate all ages (with exception to our Fledgling Hikers). Hikes require a minimum of 5 adults please.

• Awesome Blossoms  Seasonal wildflower ID and ecology.

• Trail Mix  Interpretive hike that combines plant and animal ecology; Cahuilla ethnobotany and ethnozoology.

• Fledgling Hikers  Specially tailored for toddlers and their parents. Introduce your little one(s) to nature in a safe manner; trail activities will excite and delight! Ages 18 months to 3 years of age, with paid adult.

• Desert Primeval  Discover some of the desert's most ancient plants, with life spans in the centuries, even thousands of years. Plant ID, adaptations and survival.

• Cahuilla Ethnobotany  Ancient Cahuilla plant uses found along the trail.

• Palm Oasis and Dune Ecology  Witness the delicate balance of nature as you explore the heart of a native palm oasis and come face to face with a migrating sand dune.                                                                                                                                

• Critter Clues  "Nature hunt" on the trail for animal clues: adaptations, tracks, scat, burrows, food webs...

• Scorpion Night!  Begin with scorpion natural history--then searching for scorpions using special lights (provided). Earliest start time 5 p.m., 2-hour night program. Available October -- February.

• We can customize a hike that accommodates the interest of your group!

All hikes listed above are:

• highly interpretive, non-strenuous, about a mile and a half round trip

• Hike length 2 1/2 hours 

• Children up to 18 years of age must be accompanied by a paid adult

• You are responsible for transportation arrangements

• 20-person total limit on all groups for safety, logistics, and environmental impact reasons. 

• $15 per adult (16 years old+); $10 per child (3-15 years old); children under 3 years of age explore for FREE!

• For student groups (grades K-6), we offer a discounted class rate. Teachers and chaperones hike free!

To request a group hike (minimum 10 people), or arrange a customized hike please contact Michelle at (760) 832-0105 or calisolearning@earthlink.net

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STEP-ON GUIDES

Caliso Learning offers step-on guides for your company, group, or organization's bus trips; or as an on-site guide for trips to the following locations

(note that client is responsible for group transportation and additional entrance fees required for all participants):

• Indian Canyons* hike(s): Andreas Canyons, Palm Canyon

• Coachella Valley Preserve** bus trip/hike: McCallum Grove

• Joshua Tree National Park* bus trip

• Salton Sea* bus trip

• Big Morongo Canyon Preserve** bus trip

• Customize a trip

*additional entrance or bus fee required

**a small donation is optional and welcomed at this site to help support this critical Preserve :)

Please contact calisolearning@earthlink.net to receive our fee schedule 

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