Jan. 23 hike at Glen Ellen’s Calabazas Creek Open Space Preserve

The Sonoma Ecology Center has lined up a hike for Jan. 23 to explore the natural wonders of cool, damp weather at the Calabazas Creek Open Space Preserve in Glen Ellen.

Their 'Cool Weather and Watershed Ecology' hike will explore the world of wet weather phenomena, including flowing streams, seasonal waterfalls, fungi and green carpets of moss.

Holland Gistelli, a naturalist from the SEC, will lead participants on a five- to six-hour hike with substantial elevation gain on established trails through the preserve known for its vistas, green meadows, oak woodlands and more.

Calabazas Creek Open Space Preserve is 1,290 acres of pristine land overlooking the Valley of the Moon, characterized by SEC as 'one of the most exquisite natural sites in Sonoma Valley, containing a wide array of habitats and breathtaking vistas.'

It is preserved by protections placed on it in 2004 by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.

A voter-approved quarter-cent sales tax helps underwrite programs such as the Cool Weather hike.

The hike is Saturday, Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hikers will break for a picnic lunch, so pack a meal along with wet-weather gear.

Registration is required by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22. Please see sonomaecologycenter.org/calendar for more details.