Volcan Mountain Foundation

10/10/2026

10/08/2026

Yesterday, VMF's Lead Outdoor Educator, Molly Daly, and I welcomed students from the EcoLogik Institute for a deep dive into watersheds and water quality. While the initial intent was for them to test the water along our creeks and ponds, we knew we had to give them the full, immersive Volcan Mountain experience.

We kicked off the adventure by hiking the Sky Island Trail, where they learned about big-cone Douglas firs, white firs, and Coulter pines, forest succession after a wildfire, and how a standing "snag forest" is important to the ecosystem.

When we reached the viewpoint, the landscape became our ultimate teaching tool, showing the students exactly how mountain topography shapes and guides the flow of water. It was also a great place to talk about how thermals are used by vultures and hawks.

The highlight of the day was when students put their heads in the headwaters, connecting directly with the very source of water they came to study.

Afterward, they used VMF’s interactive watershed map and tested the water at the pond. We wrapped up the day with a quiet walk along the watershed trail, letting the flowing water have the final word.

What a day!

Suzie Meyer
Engagement Coordinator

10/01/2026

Calling all artists and scientific researchers looking for a special opportunity to gain inspiration from nature... the application period for VMF's 2027 Marjorie and Joseph Rubenson Endowment Short-Term Residency is now open. Applications due 12/1/26.
More information at volcanmt.org/residency

09/17/2026

Come check it out in Town Hall this weekend… both days, 11 until 5. Register in advance for some event swag and preferred seating, or stop on by for a presentation that interests you.

Advance: $10 for a day or $15 for both.
Walk-in: Free
volcanmt/symposium

09/16/2026

This weekend, the historic Julian Town Hall will be full of discussion about the past, present, and future of our local mountain ecosystems. We’re hosting a public symposium, across two days and both floors of the town hall, where you can come listen to a lecture upstairs or visit with outreach exhibits from partnering organizations downstairs.

If you’d like access to preferred seating, an event-branded gift, and to support our mission to save the mountain, you can register at volcanmt.org/symposium. You’re also welcome to wander in free of charge.

We hope you’ll join us for a weekend of wonder about the wild!

09/15/2026

K**I invited Volcan Mountain Foundation's Eric Jones, and media producer, Kat Forcadas, to talk about VMF's mission and the documentary pieces that help tell the story of land conservation, habitat protection, outreach and outdoor education for students of all ages.

We appreciate K**I waiving the sponsorship fees and sharing the message as public service.

09/03/2026

volcanmt.org/symposium

09/01/2026

We're excited about this upcoming two-day event designed to celebrate and educate. The Volcan Mountain 2026 Nature Symposium will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20 in Julian Town Hall.

The Volcan Mountain Foundation is bringing together expert speakers for a series of short Presentations in the upstairs hall, PLUS an Interactive Exhibit Hall on the lower level of Julian Town Hall hosted by regional environmental nonprofits.

Register in advance to receive preferred seating plus a limited-edition event-branded gift!

Registration is just $10 per day or $15 for both.
September 19 and 20, 11am to 5pm
Information and tickets at:
https://volcanmt.org/symposium

Saturday, September 19
11 AM Fred Grand, Director of Community Engagement, Descendants of Early San Diego
"Volcan Mountain Ranch: From the Kumeyaay to Conservation Logging"

NOON Jonathan Appelbaum, Consulting Restoration Biologist
"Steps to Ensure Forests for the Future"

1 PM Sharyl Massey, Board Member, Volcan Mountain Foundation
"San Diego's Sky Islands: Ecological Refuges"

2 PM Hailey Elsken, Associate State Archaeologist, California State Parks
"Building a Park: Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and the Civilian Conservation Corps"

3 PM Kelsey O'Husky, California Wolf Center
"History of Wolf Conservation"

4 PM Eric Jones, President and Executive Director, Volcan Mountain Foundation
"Monitoring Tools for Forest Restoration"

Sunday, September 20
11 AM Mike Thacker
"Geology of San Diego County: The Formative Years"

NOON Chris Khoury, MD, Vice Chair, San Dieguito River Park JPA
"The Allure of the San Dieguito River Valley"

1 PM Katie Quint, Research Director and Golden Eagle Specialist, Wildlife Research Institute
"Wildlife Research Institute’s Golden Eagle Studies in San Diego County’s Backcountry"

2 PM Eric Jones, President and Executive Director, Volcan Mountain Foundation
"Making it Happen: Restoration Science, Planning and Funding"

3 PM Layla Khazeni, Program Coordinator, Volcan Mountain Foundation
"From Sea to Summit: How the Pacific Makes Volcan's Water"

4 PM Gus Calderon, Co-Founder, FireWatch Team, LLC
"Aerial Mapping for Land Management"

Information and tickets at:
https://volcanmt.org/symposium

09/01/2026

Sunday's Operation Thistle Take-Down was a success! We removed several contractor bags worth of bull thistle. We will continue to not only stop the spread of this non-native invasive plant but also work to stop its growth entirely at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center.

A big thank you goes to volunteers Beatrice and Richard Griffey, Kathie and Dave Rubenson, and Sharyl Massey!