Vista is known for its rural character and historical houses such as the sprawling Rancho Buena Vista Adobe. Located on the banks of Buena Vista Creek, the 164-year-old museum and art gallery is deeply connected with nature.
For the first time at the adobe, a series of nature workshops for adults will focus on flora and fauna of the area.
“In April we hosted our first Earth Day event, and we had about 75 participants,” said Beverly Fisher, the program coordinator at the adobe. “We had an overwhelming response from our attendees who wanted to learn more about nature and work with teachers to learn how to draw nature.”
Participants have the option of attending one workshop or the entire series.
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Nature Explorations Workshops
When: 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday
Where: Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, 640 Alta Vista Drive, Vista
Cost: Residents pay $15 for each session. Non-resident fees are $18 per session.
Registration: vistarecreation.com, keyword: natureInformation: (760) 639-6164 or (760) 726-1340, ext. 1522
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“We hope to build on the natural history themes of these workshops and continue to offer enrichment classes for both adults and children. Each workshop is an opportunity to learn and appreciate some aspect of the natural world in the enchanted rancho environment,” Fisher said.
Ivy Bodin, a volunteer garden docent, launched the series Sept. 16 with a workshop titled “Flora.” Participants toured the two-acre grounds and viewed more than 100 heritage roses and the native plant garden. The tour concluded with a garden tea party on the gallery's patio.
“Over the past five years, I have been selecting plants and planting them, including the native plant garden. My specialty is antique roses,” Bodin said. “I truly hope the audience will get a sense for the uniqueness and the specialty of these plants. We can see them as a working laboratory and further appreciate our environment.”
In the “Journaling and Observation” workshop Sept. 23, participants created their personal daybook and recorded observations of the natural world.
In the “Lavender and Our Favorite Herbs” workshop, herb expert Karen England discussed the properties and uses of various herbs, as well as growing and cooking techniques.
Tuesday, Naturalist Carrie Hammond presented a lecture on the adobe's fauna, focusing on its relationship to the land, the Buena Vista Creek and seasonal rhythms.
The last in the series is “Drawing Nature” on Tuesday. Vista artist Jane Falcone will demonstrate and teach observational skills and artistic techniques to illustrate some favorite scenery.
Vicki Parker, a Vista city employee who took part in the adobe's Earth Day celebration, said the workshops offered the opportunity to learn more about man's connection with nature.
“The adobe is a great place for observing the timeless relationship between people and the environment. During Earth Day, we were further educated about soil selection for making adobe and the kids had the chance to experiment soil mixing,” Parker said. “I am certain this workshop will allow participants to step back in time and learn even more about nature.”
Celia Taghdiri is a freelance writer who lives in Vista.
