Wildcat Bluff Nature Center

05/28/2026

Summertime is camp time 🤠

We had the education team out - spending time learning the property & facilities and talking about effective natural science education, and to facilitate fun times in nature, engage with plants & wildlife, and return safe & sound! 💪

The recent weather is super pleasant. Our campers yesterday got rained on (not soaked, or too muddy), saw lots of critters and wore out the adults.

Get you & yours outdoors!

05/27/2026

Kick off your Summer during June’s Toddler Tracks, A Day at the Beach!

Bring your little ones, 5 and under, for some fun in the sun with story time, a craft, and a nature walk around Libb’s Trail on June 12 at 9:00am or 10:00am! As the weather warms up, make sure you bring plenty of water and sun protection, just like you're going to the beach!

Toddler Tracks is a monthly program included with regular admission or Wildcat Bluff/DCC membership.

05/27/2026

Finally, rain! We got just under half an inch this past weekend and ~3/4" today 💪

Crazy how much comes off the new loop development! We'll see run-on in new spots and it's kind of exciting - more inputs to our water budget.

Enough to generate some runoff on our trails and the roadway, but not to activate the creek. We checked.

Our collab with is exciting, keep that rain coming!! The pits along the ranch road are doing great 😁

05/21/2026

We got some rain!! A few tenths of an inch is all. Doesn't alleviate drought but gives us a respite from the dust & fires.

It's wild how quickly life responds to a bit of moisture! The fungi are in our garden, we've been watering it some so this isn't solely due the rain.

Please, more!!??

05/20/2026

Looking to pick up a new hobby this Summer? Curious about what outdoor activities are available in our community? Mark your calendars for Nature Network, on June 20th and July 18th!

Get your body movin’ and groovin’ with June’s Nature Network, highlighting fitness and ways to stay active outside.

More of a “sit back and soak up the sun” type? Check out July’s Nature Network, highlighting relaxation, creativity, and mindfulness. And did we mention $1 admission during both events? 👀

05/20/2026

05/20/2026

Due to the wildfires, Wildcat Wednesday will be held at the Discovery Center tomorrow. We are also offering a coupon code for anyone who may need last minute care! Wildcat Wednesdays campers aged 4 to 11 will be able to check out our new exhibit Dinosaurs Around the World, and play carefree!
Half day camps are available 9am-12:30 and 12:30pm-4:00pm for all ages
Full day camp 9am-4pm for campers aged 5-11.

We are also offering a 50% off coupon code for anyone who may need last minute care!
Code: SAFE50

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/DonHarringtonDiscoveryCenter?orglink=camps-registration&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e231_tv4_tp1_a1demo0e1ktpzw&fbclid=IwY2xjawR562hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZUFBaalU3cTVYOHRZcUR3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoxfI58fKPek0v7IZaEhdCqHAYsqWCOqg-teUHBw0dj-v0Ak-8JSYPUePE5Z_aem_r1fqRiWwUtUb3Lc0lCB9Ag&e4q=3a82618d-8bd7-405e-a972-d2e075be6d37&e4p=a4c94a19-9b97-477f-991f-19955b943682&e4ts=1779239961&e4c=active&e4e=snlvcmpscui00001load&e4rt=Safetynet&e4h=72cd94564f090bc153e99560524c3f46 #/selectSessions/3784446

05/19/2026

The fires have most everyone on edge, the dirty air unhealthy for us breathers and there's so much dry, dead or dormant fuel. The forecasted rains may provide respite... 🙏

In drylands like ours, the primary constraint to general productivity is access to freshwater. We got 25" of rain last year - 10" more than average - and saw a prolific growing season. That growth accumulated, and we hope to incorporate more of the organic matter into the soils.

It hasn't rained since the end of the '25 growing season. There's little new growth, almost no fresh grasses - only the lime green of the mesquite leaves (phreatophytes, their deep tap roots let them photosynthesize without rain) and along the riparian corridor.

Lots of brown, dead or dormant, sun-baked & wind whipped fuel out there... But as the skeptical pop scientist in Jurassic Park reminds us, Life will find a way.

Recent bright spots include:

A cool insect!? A young stick bug...
Some flowers.
And some kids, looking for birds bugs snakes lizards etc.

🤠

05/19/2026

The Stinky Fire 🔥

The burn path is approximately one mile W of Wildcat (the green rectangle), and up top. Too close for comfort, and the winds are blowing!

We'll have a reprieve - if the rains come. 🌧️

And pray for those affected already 🙏