Volcan Mountain Foundation

January 22: Join VMF on  for a stewardship day on Volcan Mountain. As a wildfire prevention measure, we will be creating piles of wood collected from the forest and burning them throughout the day. No experience necessary.

Date: Thursday, January 22

Time:  7:45 am - 4:00 pm (Volunteers are free to leave at anytime).

Bring: Work gloves (VMF has its own supply as well), water, snacks, lunch. Camp chair optional.

Wear: Sturdy shoes and dress warmly and in layers.

Sunday, March 29:  Step into the magic of spring! In this workshop VMF's outdoor naturalist educator, Janice Smith, will guide you on a short walk to identify and harvest edible wild plants growing around the nature center. Then we will work in teams to make a delicious green feast. These lush plants may include miner’s lettuce, chickweed, cleavers, plantain, stinging nettle, mustard, stork’s bill, conifer needles and more!

Saturday, March 28:  Step into the magic of spring! In this workshop VMF's outdoor naturalist educator, Janice Smith, will guide you on a short walk to identify and harvest edible wild plants growing around the nature center. Then we will work in teams to make a delicious green feast. These lush plants may include miner’s lettuce, chickweed, cleavers, plantain, stinging nettle, mustard, stork’s bill, conifer needles and more!

Sunday, February 22: Join Janice Smith, VMF’s Education Coordinator and Certified Forest Therapy Guide, on a guided Forest Bathing walk at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. This is a new program of bi-monthly Forest Bathing walks offered through VMF.

What is Forest Bathing?  

Sunday, January 11: Join Janice Smith, VMF’s Education Coordinator and Certified Forest Therapy Guide, on a guided Forest Bathing walk at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. This is a new program of bi-monthly Forest Bathing walks offered through VMF.

What is Forest Bathing?  

Monday, December 22: Join the Volcan Mountain Foundation for a citizen science bird survey on Volcan Mountain in Julian. This is a great opportunity to contribute valuable data for the National Annual Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count. We'll be focusing our attention on VMF's pond and Volcan Road near our Sky Island trail. 

Date: Monday, December 22

Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Bring: Snacks, drinking water, comfortable shoes, a warm coat....and, of course, your binoculars.

Sunday, December 28: Join Janice Smith, VMF’s Education Coordinator and Certified Forest Therapy Guide, on a guided Forest Bathing walk at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. This is a new program of bi-monthly Forest Bathing walks offered through VMF.

What is Forest Bathing?  

January 24, 2026 – Winter Conifer Tea Party! 

There is nothing more cozy than enjoying a hot cup of tea on a cold winter day.  In this class, VMF's Education Coordinator, Janice Smith, will teach you to identify, forage, and make an assortment of wild conifer teas. We will pair these teas with delicious Douglas fir lemon bars, which we will also make together. Finally, you will create your very own conifer tea bag blend to take home.

We're excited to have you join us at a special Rubenson Endowment Artists' Reception featuring the art work inspired by Volcan Mountain and created by 2025 residency recipients, Nicole Dornsife and Sonja Kodimer!

Date: Sunday, December 7

Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Ilan-Lael Foundation in Julian. Parking and event location directions will be sent after registration.

Price: $45 per person.

November 23, 2025 Wildcrafting: Acorn Pancakes and Waffles

Join VMF's Education Coordinator, Janice Smith, for a fun workshop making acorn pancakes and waffles!  Note: Due to its popularity, this workshop occurs on Saturday, November 22