Placer Nature Center is springing into spring!

Everything is going green at PNC, and even though it's still a few weeks away - it's really starting to feel like spring!

Do you have miner's lettuce growing near you? Claytonia perfoliata is one of our favorite native plants to teach about, thanks to its tender edibility and history of use amongst Native Californians. During the Gold Rush, Claytonia helped prevent scurvy in miners, due to its high content of Vitamin C - thus its name. This plant is called 'piyada?' in the Western Mono language and 'palsingat' in Ivilyuat — two Native languages of California, or 'rooreh' in Ohlone language. We are still waiting to learn its name in Maidu and Nisenan!

While more clearly identifiable once the plant has gone to flower, they are most delicious when in the earlier growth phase seen in the photo. The leaves make one of our favorite shapes!

PNC's Spring Newsletter includes:

• Save the date: PNC Fest Saturday April 13!
• Summer camp 2024 dates & registration forms
• Learn about PNC's new program: P.U.R.R.R.!
• Little Tykes Spring Edition - dates & registration form
• PNC project updates - bird houses & hikes, volunteer days & more!

Learn more about PNC's programs and field trips

Save the Date!

PNC's Spring Fest

Saturday April 13 from 10am-2pm!

Come enjoy the spring weather with the staff and docents of Placer Nature Center. Local organizations will have tables, and we'll be offering workshops, trail walks, kids' activities and more! Food will be available for purchase.

$5 donation per person

While you're here, make sure to check out the Wildfire Preparedness Day Event being put on by our neighbors at the California Conservation Corps!

Summer Camp 2024 Registration now open

We want your kids to be campers and counselors at PNC's summer day camps!

Summer Camp 2024 Dates:

June 11-13: Dirt Made My Lunch

June 18-20: BUGS – Pollinators, Pests and Predators

June 25-27: Howlers 

July 9-11: Dino Days – Prehistoric Creatures

July 16-18: Geology Rocks

July 23-25: Water Worlds

Just click on the brochure link below and register today!

Summer Camp Brochure and Registration Form 2024

Summer Camp Registration Form 2024

Visit our website for more information: Summer Camp | Placer Nature Center

PNC has a new program: P.U.R.R.R.

Pick Up. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Congratulations to the three schools who are receiving free presentations this spring:

Arete Charter, Valley View Elementary and Alta-Dutch Flat Elementary

Contact us to find out how to bring PNC and P.U.R.R.R. to your school!

Little Tykes Family Nature Programs

Spring 2024 Waitlist

Our Little Tykes Family Nature programs are offered Fall and Spring on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays and 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. They are designed for children 2-6 years old, but kids as young as 1 and old as 8 have enjoyed our programs (parents and grandparents seem to have fun as well)!

Our first class this spring was Tuesday March 5 from 10-11:30am

Visit our website for a full list of dates!

Please contact us at [email protected] to be put on the waitlist, as our classes are all currently full.

Click Here for More Information

2023-2024 Little Tykes Family Nature Program Registration Form

PNC's Western Bluebirds have new houses, thanks to Sierra Foothills Audubon Society

Next time you come by Placer Nature Center, be sure to check out our new Bluebird houses! Donated by Sierra Foothills Audubon Society and painted by volunteers, these boxes are going to go a long way in promoting Western Bluebird populations at PNC.

The Western Bluebird is designated as ‘Threatened’ on Audubon’s list of Californian birds affected by climate change. The species is in decline (primarily due to habitat loss and competition with exotic bird species like house sparrows and European starlings) - but they can nest up to three times per season! Paired males and females search for best sites together, but it’s the females who do almost all of the nest construction. About one in three bluebirds return to the same next box every year.

Thanks to a grant from the Sierra Foothills Audubon Society, we are working on a trail guide for a self-led bird walk. See if you can find all 10 new bluebird houses and all the local birds on our list.

SPRING VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS:

Each second Saturday of the month from 9am-12pm

March 9

April 13 in canceled - come to PNC's Spring Fest!

May 11

Get outside with us and help make PNC a better place!

For more information on our programs: Visit our website

We want You!

To become a docent and/or board member ith Placer Nature Center!

Help us in our mission to bring children to nature and nature to children!