Volcan Mountain Foundation

Sunday, May 3- Join us for a look into the little known yet truly fascinating world of plant reproduction.  From mosses to ferns to pine trees, we’ll learn some of the complex ways these plants create the next generation.  A more in-depth look at the extremely diverse group of flowering plants will reveal some remarkable and  unbelievable ways some species use mimicry, trickery, and seduction just to attract pollinators and get their pollen transported to other flowers.  You’ll never look at plants the same again!

Sunday, April 26: 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?  

Saturday, April 11, 2026: Stewardship Saturdays—a weekly opportunity to help restore and care for the historic montane forests of Volcan Mountain.

Join our reforestation team for a full day on the mountain as we plant the next generation of trees. Volunteers will help establish coulter pine, bigcone Douglas-fir, and incense cedar across priority restoration sites.

Saturday, April 4, 2026: Stewardship Saturdays—a weekly opportunity to help restore and care for the historic montane forests of Volcan Mountain.

Join our reforestation team for a full day on the mountain as we plant the next generation of trees. Volunteers will help establish coulter pine, bigcone Douglas-fir, and incense cedar across priority restoration sites.

Saturday, March 28, 2026: Stewardship Saturdays—a weekly opportunity to help restore and care for the historic montane forests of Volcan Mountain.

Join our reforestation team for a full day on the mountain as we plant the next generation of trees. Volunteers will help establish coulter pine, bigcone douglas-fir, and incense cedar across priority restoration sites.

Saturday, March 21, 2026: Beginning March 21, we’re launching Stewardship Saturdays—a weekly opportunity to help restore and care for the historic montane forests of Volcan Mountain.

Join our reforestation team for a full day on the mountain as we plant the next generation of trees. Volunteers will help establish coulter pine, bigcone Douglas-fir, and incense cedar across priority restoration sites.

Sunday, April 26- If you’ve ever wondered what that bright yellow bird is, who's singing that beautiful song, or what made those rows of little holes in a tree, then join Sharyl Massey, VMF's Conservation Chair Board Member, for an introductory presentation about birds and bird identification.  She will also cover a variety of ways to observe birds, including physical characteristics, behaviors and their habitats.

Saturday, April 25: The Volcan Mountain Foundation is partnering with I Love a Clean San Diego to clean up VMF's Sky Island. The focus will be to remove items in a forested area near the headwaters of the San Dieguito River. By participating in this clean-up, you will feel the satisfaction of  helping to return the forest to a healthy ecosystem. 

The Volcan Mountain Foundation greatly appreciates the time and energy volunteers take to restore the beautiful ecosystems of the Volcan Mountains in Julian, CA.

Date: Saturday, April 25

Saturday, March 21: Join biologist and educator Sharyl Massey as you learn about the unique and diverse characterisitcs of raptors. We'll start with a presentation followed by a chance to meet a live raptor from Sky Hunters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education. Afterward, we'll travel to VMF's Sky Island trailhead for lunch followed by a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike where we hope to see raptors riding the thermals.

Date: Saturday, March 21

Thursday, March 12 -  Volunteers Needed! If you're interested in becoming an outdoor education volunteer and inspiring children to love nature, please join us for a fun orientation at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. During this introduction you will learn about the fun hands-on activities we do with youth as well as the teaching techniques used in the field. You will also receive a series of one-on-one trainings with VMF's Educator, Janice Smith and get the opportunity to observe her while she teaches during the spring.