We were sorry to hear that wildlife columnist Gary Bogue passed away last week at age 81. In remembrance of him, we hope you enjoy this interview about mountain lions from 2010. Presented by Save Mount Diablo in partnership with Mount Diablo Interpretive Association.
Ferns evolved during the age of fish: 360 million years ago. They have endured climate changes and other cataclysmic events. They have watched a parade of other species evolve and become extinct. What makes them so durable? "Falls Trail" is 13-part series featuring Ken Lavin, Burt Bogardus, Paul Cardinet, and Jenn Roe. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association in partnership with Save Mount Diablo.
MOUNT DIABLO HIKERS: Where did names like Mount Olympia, Donner Canyon, Back Canyon, and Ransom Point come from? And what's with the roasted rock on top of Lower Twin Peak? All-knowing and clever Ken Lavin explains.
QUIZ TIME: Climbing up the north slopes of Mount Diablo, you can see a place famous for its grizzly bears that was once called The Deadfall. What's the name of the town today?
MITCHELL ROCK On the way to Twin Peaks, we discuss three layers of rock that used to be part of the ocean floor. A quiet little topic? Not so much. The deepest layer, SERPENTINE, has been a subject of passionate debate.
It's time for a hike! Let's head up to the top of Twin Peaks on Mount Diablo, a moderate, half-day jaunt with lots to see and learn. Part one: INTRODUCTION
The SCARLET PIMPERNEL and the French Revolution.
WILD CUCUMBER & CLEMATIS Meet "manroot" and "traveler's joy."
TOYON A tree that has perfected the art of chemical warfare.
CEANOTHUS Enjoy the fragrant blossoms, but don't get too close.
CHAMISE The most interesting Bay Area plant you may have never noticed.
YARROW A handsome plant with a history that leads all the way back to the Battle of Troy. Featuring Ken Lavin. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association in partnership with Save Mount Diablo.
THREE SAGES Can you name three botanical "sages" that grow in the East Bay? Hint: one is known as "the plant that hums" and "the characteristic smell of Mount Diablo." All three could be used (sparingly) on your Thanksgiving turkey. Featuring Ken Lavin and Sue Donecker. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association in partnership with Save Mount Diablo.
FLOWERS NAMED FOR ANIMALS How many can you name? Let's start with coyote mint, larkspur, and lupine (from the Latin lupus for wolf) and hear about their stories. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, in partnership with Save Mount Diablo. Featuring naturalist Ken Lavin.
As we celebrate our nation's birthday, meet the Scotsman who celebrated and disseminated our plants: DAVID DOUGLAS. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, in partnership with Save Mount Diablo. Featuring naturalist Ken Lavin.
PAINTBRUSH & WARRIOR: early blooming, bright red, and crafty! Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, in partnership with Save Mount Diablo. Featuring naturalist Ken Lavin.
SOAP ROOT & STAR LILY Two look-alike plants circuitously lead to a Wild West tale of John C. Fremont and Kit Carson—and how a glimpse of Mount Diablo may have saved their lives. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, in partnership with Save Mount Diablo. Featuring naturalist Ken Lavin.
POPPY LOVE How our state flower got its scientific name: an international saga involving a French writer, an Estonian surgeon, and a Russian ship in San Francisco Bay. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association in partnership with Save Mount Diablo.
The Doctrine of Signatures: How wrapping a leaf around your shoe can ward off wild dogs, and other funny folklore. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, featuring Ken Lavin.
Some trees are just landscaping. Others, such as Mount Diablo's gray and Coulter pines, are deeply rooted in our culture. Master naturalist Ken Lavin tells the story. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, in partnership with Save Mount Diablo.
A hike up Twin Peaks in Mount Diablo State Park takes you past many of the mountain's most storied plants. Learn about them in our next video podcast series, sponsored by MOUNT DIABLO INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION in partnership with Save Mount Diablo. First up: MISTLETOE Featuring Sue Donecker, Ken Lavin, Jim Mitchell, and Frank Valle-Riestra, with Carl Magruder as John Muir. Map by Mike Woodring. Music by Phil Heywood. Production by Joan Hamilton. The series was first published in 2013, revised in ...
MARY BOWERMAN She wrote the book on Mount Diablo plants. She co-founded an organization to defend the mountain from subdivisions. The rest is Save Mount Diablo history . . . Presented by Save Mount Diablo, in partnership with Mount Diablo Interpretive Association. Featuring Heath Bartosh, Seth Adams, and Robert Doyle Photographs: Scott Hein, Stephen Joseph, Troy Montemayor and Seth Adams, Heath Bartosh, Steve Edwards, Brad Heckman, Helovi/istock, Joan Hamilton, Shawn Hanrahan/Texas A&M, Jeps...
WILDFLOWERS To find rare plants and remarkable beauty, take your springtime hike in an area has recently burned. Presented by Save Mount Diablo, in partnership with Mount Diablo Interpretive Association. Featuring Heath Bartosh, Seth Adams, Robert Doyle, Lindsey Hendricks, Brian Peterson, Cyndy Shafer. Photographs: Scott Hein, Stephen Joseph, Troy Montemayor and Seth Adams, Heath Bartosh, Steve Edwards, Brad Heckman, Helovi/istock, Joan Hamilton, Shawn Hanrahan/Texas A&M, Jepson Herbarium, A...
CONCLUSION Learn how to tell a hawk from a vulture in this final episode of our Black Diamond Mines guide. Presented by Save Mount Diablo, with help from Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and East Bay Regional Park District. Photos by Scott Hein. Featuring Seth M. Adams, Heath Bartosh, Kevin Dixon, Robert Doyle, Scott Hein, Ken Lavin, and Ray Sullivan. Produced by Joan Hamilton.
STEWARTVILLE SADDLE Dream of future hikes at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve with tips from the experts. Presented by Save Mount Diablo, with help from Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and East Bay Regional Park District. Photos by Scott Hein. Featuring Seth M. Adams, Heath Bartosh, Kevin Dixon, Robert Doyle, Scott Hein, Ken Lavin, and Ray Sullivan. Produced by Joan Hamilton.
OVERLOOK Big swaths of land around Mount Diablo State Park are protected. But there are still development threats. Learn about successful efforts to curb sprawl in this episode of our guide to Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, presented by Save Mount Diablo, with help from Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and East Bay Regional Park District. Photos by Scott Hein. Featuring Seth M. Adams, Heath Bartosh, Kevin Dixon, Robert Doyle, Scott Hein, Ken Lavin, and Ray Sullivan. Production by Jo...
JUNCTION Here's where Coulter pines make their famous last stand at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. Presented by Save Mount Diablo, with help from Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and East Bay Regional Park District. Photos by Scott Hein. Featuring Seth M. Adams, Heath Bartosh, Kevin Dixon, Robert Doyle, Scott Hein, Ken Lavin, and Ray Sullivan. Produced by Joan Hamilton.
BRIDGE California's shrub lands may seem boring, but they shelter plenty of flowers and birds. Learn to spot bush poppies and orange-crowned warblers in this episode. Presented by Save Mount Diablo, with help from Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and East Bay Regional Park District. Photos by Scott Hein. Featuring Seth M. Adams, Heath Bartosh, Kevin Dixon, Robert Doyle, Scott Hein, Ken Lavin, and Ray Sullivan. Production by Joan Hamilton.
MANHATTAN TRAIL How grazing—done right—can benefit park wildlife, including tiger salamanders and burrowing owls. Presented by Save Mount Diablo, with help from Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and East Bay Regional Park District. Photos by Scott Hein. Featuring Seth M. Adams, Heath Bartosh, Kevin Dixon, Robert Doyle, Scott Hein, Ken Lavin, and Ray Sullivan. Produced by Joan Hamilton.
STEWARTVILLE VIEW Globalization transformed Contra Costa County almost a century ago. Learn how it happened as we look out over one of the park's most beautiful valleys. Presented by Save Mount Diablo, with help from Mount Diablo Interpretive Association and East Bay Regional Park District. Photos by Scott Hein. Featuring Seth M. Adams, Heath Bartosh, Kevin Dixon, Robert Doyle, Scott Hein, Ken Lavin, and Ray Sullivan.
