This was my fifth Field Ecology Weekend, and my fourth as an organiser. I dare to say it was the best one ever. Fifteen different presenters educated we docents on a wide range of topics over several days. A good time was had by all.
The highlight of my weekend was getting to hold a California newt, possibly the cutest amphibian I have ever seen. The skin glands of Taricha torosa secrete a powerful neurotoxin that is hundreds of times more lethal than cyanide. It is potent enough to kill most vertebrates, including humans. For this reason, I have never touched one; but our newt expert said it was fine unless we had a wound on our hands. He told a story about licking a newt once long ago; the moral of the story was that we should not try the same experiment. I held this little lady for a long time (then washed my hands). Such a thrill.
This was my fourth Field Ecology Weekend, and my third as an organizer. The weather was capricious this time, but we gamely carried on through cold nights and a very wet morning. Attendance was great, spirits were cheerful, the learnings were valuable … and I’m exhausted (but happy).
Every year, the Malibu Creek and Topanga Canyon Docents gather for a weekend of camping, outdoor education, and camaraderie, known as Field Ecology Weekend. I’m just home from the 38th Annual FEW. Speaking as one of the organisers, it was everything we hoped it would be.
Once a year, the docents from Topanga Canyon and Malibu Creek get together for a weekend of camping, learning, and socialising. And here we are, at the 37th Field Ecology Weekend, beside the meadow* in Malibu Creek State Park.
*Location of ‘the hunt’ in the original Planet of the Apes movie.
Just back from a fabulous Field Ecology Weekend, camping with the Malibu Creek and Topanga State Park docents, and learning from a wide range of teachers. I have many pages of notes to review and digest, and new areas of interest to pursue. Obsidian knapping and animal tracking were highlights!
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