Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Arnold Boulder Mountain Preserve Fundraising Event in Poway – Saturday April 20th, 3:00 – 7:30 PM
Join us for a truly unique experience at the Arnold Boulder Mountain Preserve, where you'll explore a nature preserve and private botanic garden under the guidance of expert naturalists — all while supporting a meaningful cause.
Event Highlights
Guided Nature Walks: Explore coastal sage scrub and chaparral on guided tours, showcasing diverse plant life and breathtaking views.
Networking: Connect with fellow nature enthusiasts over delicious food and drinks in the preserve’s serene setting.
Silent Auction: Bid on exciting items, with proceeds supporting our fundraising goal (see detailed item list below!)
Trail Difficulty: Trails suit all fitness levels, ranging from easy to challenging.
Arnold Boulder Mountain Preserve spans 19 acres, showcasing coastal sage scrub and chaparral. With 2 miles of diverse hiking trails, it hosts over 100 native plant species, including Oaks, Ferns, Mariposa Lilies, and Sages. In addition, the preserve features an impressive Mediterranean botanical collection from around the world.
Support Our Cause
All proceeds from the event will benefit CNPS San Diego’s Vernal Pool Preserve in Miramar, specifically for Phase II of the “Take Down the Dirty Dozen” project. These funds will facilitate the removal of twelve eucalyptus trees, which currently pose a threat to the growth of rare plants and animals in the vernal pools. The eucalyptus trees will be replaced by native shrubs and trees and the vernal pools will be returned to their original glory!
Help Us Reach Our Goal
We aim to raise $10,000 to support the crucial effort to save CNPS San Diego’s Vernal Pool Preserve in Miramar. Even if you’re unable to attend the event, you can still contribute by making a donation through the provided link.
Tickets: $100 per person
Can’t Attend? You can still make a difference by donating any amount you can spare.
Your support will contribute to the conservation of vital ecosystems in our community. Join us for an unforgettable day of exploration and philanthropy at the Arnold Boulder Mountain Preserve!
SILENT AUCTION DETAILS
See which items you can bid on at the silent auction during our Arnold Fundraiser event! Bids can only be submitted during the event.
Nursery $100 gift certificate (starting bid: $50)
$100 gift certificate from Walter Anderson Nursery (locations in Poway and San Diego)
"Nature's Best Hope" by Douglas Tallamy (starting bid: $30)
A signed copy of Douglas Tallamy’s latest book.
Consultation with Leo Hernandez (starting bid: $250)
Four hours of landscape design consultation and/or maintenance work with Leo Hernandez from Californias Own Native Landscape Design (does not include materials or delivery/removal services)
Vase made by Carol Gross (starting bid: $20)
Handmade pottery vase from Carol Gross
Small crock with lid by Carol Gross (starting bid $18)
Small handmade crock with lid from Carol Gross
Large crock with lid by Carol Gross (starting bid $20)
Large handmade crock with lid from Carol Gross
SoloBee house (starting bid: $40)
Native bee shelter from SoloBee
Painting by Vanessa Rusczyk (starting bid: $300)
12” x 12” painting “Dudleya: Blue and Green” by Vanessa Rusczyk (Instagram: @vrusczykartist)
Local Poway artist Vanessa Rusczyk has focused on depicting the native flora of California and the Southwestern United States for over 10 years. Her award winning art gives viewers a close up look at plants they may not have encountered before, with the goal of creating greater awareness of native habitat. One of her favorite regions is the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and 5% of all her sales are donated to the Anza Borrego Foundation.
Vanessa was recently selected as one of 30 women artists to participate in the Inaugural Women Artists of the West Invitational Art Show at the Woolaroc Museum in Bartlesville, OK. It is the first all women show at the Woolaroc.
Barn Owl nest box with pole (starting bid: $200)
Torrey Neel (Neel's Nursery) preserve guided tour (starting bid: $200 for 2 people)
Torrey Neel from Neel’s Nursery in Encinitas is offering a guided tour through her newly acquired preserve in Potrero close to Otay Mountain. Here are some facts and highlights about this tour:
- Torrey’s private property is an old homestead from the early 1900s, features an old walk-in well and cattle ponds
- The newly acquired 72 acre preserve property is next to this homestead. This is an area of pristine, mature habitat that Torrey managed to save from development in a bidding war with money raised from the native plant gardening community
- There is a trail along the property border as well as a trail to the foundations of a historic homestead at the core of the preserve
- The tour will take about 4-6 hours on a weekday, as Torrey is not available on weekends
- The best time for the tour for a good bloom experience will be between May 1-20 since the property is at 3000 feet
- Bring your own food and water!
3 California Sword Fern (Polystichum californicum) (starting bid: $15 each)
Three specimen of California Sword Fern (Polystichum californicum) from the Lyle Arnold property
2 Tickets to the Mt Helix Foundation Wine Festival (starting bid: $150)
2 tickets to the Mt. Helix Food & Wine festival in Mt Helix Park, La Mesa, on August 17, 2024
Various unusual plants (starting bid: $20 or $30 each)
Various rare plants:
Palmer’s penstemon (Penstemon palmeri) – $20
Western desert penstemon (Penstemon incertus) – $20
Island manzanita (Arctostaphylos insularis) (tree form) – $20
Starry lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellata) – $30
Mountain cinquefoil (Drymocallis glandulosa) – $20
Midnight Magic Blue curls (Trichostema x Midnight Magic) – $30
Island Bush Poppy (Dendromecon harfordii) – $30
Roving sailor vine (Maurandya antirrhiniflora) 2B.3 – $20
Children's Book "Dig, Wait, Listen - A Desert Toad's Tale" by April Pulley (starting bid: $20)
This children’s book is an engaging tale about the life cycle of the Spadefoot Toad.
California-shaped pillow with native plant printings from MuXu creations (starting bid: $21)
This is a handmade pillow from Ainara Calahorra, founder and maker of MuXu Creations.
Painting "San Miguel Mountain" by Edmond Piffard
Painting “San Miguel Mountain” from Edmond Piffard’s collection (18“x 24″, oil).
Early spring in the National Wildlife Refuge looking South towards San Miguel Mountain, one can see stands of the rare Munz’s Sage on top of the lower foothills.
