Discover the upcoming Ranger Programs provided by LARPD Ranger Staff, offering a variety of activities! | |
Great Blue Herons
Saturday, April 6th, 2 - 3:30 pm
Join Ranger Vickie as we learn about the Great Blue Heron. We will be able to see a few heron-related things and, after a short talk, take a walk up to their rookery and see where they nest. REGISTER
Wildflower Bioblitz
Sunday, April 14th, 1 -3 pm
Join Ranger Christine in a bio blitz to see what's blooming this Spring. This hike will be a little more than 3 miles, with some hills up to Cattail Pond. Participants are encouraged to download SEEK and INaturalist apps to upload their observations. REGISTER
Wildflower Seed Bombs
Sunday, April 28th, 4 - 5 pm
Join Ranger Lauren in the Native Garden to learn about native flora and create your mix of wildflower seeds. Make a seed bomb for your backyard featuring all California native wildflowers, and see how your garden grows. REGISTER
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Fool Me Once by Interpreter Christine | |
This is where I would tell you about the enormous sasquatch tracks found in the park last week or even show you the photo we recently took of a wild pack of jackalopes. This April Fools’ Day, though, I thought I’d instead debunk popular myths, give a little perspective, and challenge some assumptions so we’re less likely to be fooled. So here are some common Spring-themed misconceptions I’ve heard as an interpreter about our natural world. | |
Upcoming Open Space Programs & Events | |
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Earth Day Celebration
April 20th, 10 am - 2 pm (Free Program)
There is no Planet B… so it's best we take good care of this one! Celebrate Earth Day at Sycamore Grove Park while taking action to help protect our planet. We’ll have drop-in crafts and activities for kids and adults, guided hikes in the park, and volunteer projects to better our local ecosystems directly. MORE INFO
Brushy Peak Adventure
April 20th, 9 am - 3 pm
Explore the magical parkland known as Brushy Peak Regional Preserve. This strenuous hike covers approximately 4 miles over dirt and rocky trails with an elevation gain of 800+ feet. The hike includes an exploration of unique sandstone rock formations, an introduction to the Native Ohlone, Bay Miwok, and Delta Yokuts cultures associated with the site, and an opportunity to view the plants and animals that live or visit this area. REGISTER
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Summer Nature Camp
Sycamore Grove Park
June-Aug, Ages 5-12 Have some fun in the sun while learning about the natural world around us. Through age-appropriate programs and activities, the kids will play in the creek, search for buried treasure, and hike Livermore’s hidden gem, Sycamore Grove Park. Each week will have a different theme with new activities and adventures. MORE INFO
NEW! Destination Shelly Camp
Camp Shelly @ Lake Tahoe
June 17-20, Ages 11-13
Four days and three nights of fun at LARPD's Camp Shelly! Swim in a cold mountain lake, hike mountain trails, cook food around the campfire, play ping pong or capture the flag, and more. Transportation and food included. Campers supply their own camping equipment (tents provided). REGISTER
Scholarships for Destination Shelly are available through generous donations in memory of Linda Ann Allen in partnership with the LARPD Foundation. MORE INFO
Counselor In Training (CIT)
Sycamore Grove Park
June -July, Ages 13-16
Go beyond summer nature camp with the Counselor in Training program! This 1-week program designed for young teens will allow CITs to develop leadership skills and get a behind-the-scenes look at the recreation and outdoor industry, all while having fun and bonding with their peers. REGISTER
Summer Youth Volunteer Program
June-Aug, Ages 13-16
If you're aged 13-17 and interested in volunteering with LARPD this summer at our camps, parks, and open space, sign up to attend the volunteer assessment in April to be part of this fun summer program! MORE INFO
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Ranger Riddles: Sycamore Simon | |
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Sycamore Simon is our honorary Ground Squirrel Park Ranger at Sycamore Grove!
Every month, Simon likes to hide the Golden Acorn in a new location around the park and will leave clues for visitors who enjoy a challenge.
Check for a new riddle each month from Sycamore Simon and see if you can complete the challenge!
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March 2024 Golden Acorn Finders! Thank you to everyone who submitted photos of their Golden Acorn discovery. | |
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MIA
Natural Resource Technician
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Amazing Amphibians
Sunday, May 5th, 4 pm
Join Ranger Lauren for an introduction to the world of amphibians. We will cover what makes these critters so unique and highlight our local endangered species and ways you can help. There will also be an optional craft at the end of the presentation. REGISTER
Take Your Mother on a Hike
Sunday, May 12th, 9 am - 11 am
Get your kids, get your moms, and enjoy a nice walk in the park with each other! Join Ranger Danny on a hike to spend some nice nature time with the nurture of your mothers and maybe learn and see about some of nature's mothers! REGISTER
Tracks, Scat, and Signs
Saturday, May 18th, 10 am - 11:30 am
Receive an introduction on how to identify tracks, scat, and signs. Afterward, join Ranger Jay on a hike through the park to put your new tracking skills to use as we seek to identify what local animals roam in Sycamore Grove Park! REGISTER
Bumble Bee Hike
Saturday, May 25th, 2:00 pm
Join Ranger Mae in a stroll through the gardens of Sycamore Grove Park to learn about bumblebees. To celebrate World Bee Day this week, get ready to buzz with excitement as we observe how intricately productive their hives are. "Bee" prepared to walk about 1 mile in the park. Weather permitting. REGISTER
Night Hike with a Ranger
Saturday, May 25th, 7:45 pm - 9:45 pm
Who comes out after dark at Sycamore Grove Park? Join a Ranger on an after-hours walk to learn about nocturnal animals and their adaptations. We will be walking 1 mile at a very relaxed pace. A registered adult must accompany participants under 18. REGISTER
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Oh Killdeer by Ranger Seth | |
If you have ever been hiking through Sycamore Grove Park near the creek, chances are you've heard an incredibly unique bird call before seeing where it came from. This specific sound is very distinct, with a rapid-fire short chirp. Looking up at the sky or in a tree will lower your chances of spotting the source of the sound. But rather, hiding amongst the ground in the gravel near the water is where you will start to see movement. A small bird begins to make quick sprints effortlessly amongst the rocks. This bird in question is called a Killdeer. | |
Around Sycamore Grove Park | |
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Through a Ranger's Lens
Ranger Jay captured a beautiful photo of the California poppy flowers in bloom within our park.
Did you know that the word "nyctinasty" means the process by which a poppy flower closes its petals overnight and reopens in sunlight?!
Have you captured a picture worth sharing?
We are collecting photo submissions for our next "Picture This" contest!
Send your pictures to natureprograms@larpd.org for a chance to be featured at the Wetmore Entrance at SGP. The next theme is "WILD FLOWERS."
Please submit before May 2nd to be considered.
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Park Maintenance
Due to continually shifting weather conditions, Ranger Zach has been working hard to repair and rebuild fallen bird boxes.
Thank you, rangers, for keeping the park safe for animals and visitors to explore!
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Fun at Sycamore Science Camp
It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it was all those things and more at Sycamore Science Camp: Air.
We wrapped up our classes on the element of Air in March, culminating in a field trip to the very windy Vargas Plateau.
Join us for the last Science Camp session of the school year, starting the week of 4/21.
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Hi y'all,
Last month, I had the absolute honor and privilege of attending the annual Park Rangers Association of California (PRAC) conference with my mentor and coworker, Ranger Gilbert.
Hosted in Southern California, we met lots of park rangers from various districts throughout the state.
We attended lecture courses and live action scenario trainings on things like mountain lion safety, invasive plant maintenance, interpretation for all ages, and, my personal favorite, rattlesnake handling and safety.
After 5 days of notetaking and networking with rangers of all different backgrounds, I feel incredibly blessed to have this experience of being a park ranger, especially at such an amazing place like Sycamore Grove Park.
This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I appreciate all who have helped guide me to this point.
I highly encourage all who are curious about the world to continue exploring with bravery and an open mind, to observe safety protocols for yourself and the wildlife, and to find whatever it is that brings excitement and confidence in your connection to nature.
Be safe, continue wondering, and enjoy the path along the way.
With gratitude,
Mae Bailey
LARPD Park Ranger
Editor of the Valley Wilds
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