Pala Environmental Department

08/20/2026

Join the Climate Science Alliance and our partners on Kumeyaay and Luiseño lands at Batiquitos Lagoon, one of Southern California’s most vibrant coastal wetlands for a free, hands-on training. Activities include water quality monitoring, fish seining, and data collection. You’ll learn about the history and connections that make this place special, have lunch (included!) with fellow participants, and explore volunteer opportunities.

Space is limited, register today! Families, students, lagoon enthusiasts, stewards, and curious community members are welcome to join.
tinyurl.com/batiquitos-aug-2026

08/20/2026

Here's some more footage of the Kaxàlim (California or valley quails) who visited this week. Kaxàlim don't fly a lot, but they certainly can and do fly. They are usually spotted running along in sagebrush or chaparral, pecking away for seeds, leaves, and insects. Our several native quail species have also been introduced to other states and countries because they are popular gamebirds.

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

We had a few Kaxàlim visit the garden this week. This male Kaxàl (California or valley quail) was joined by a small flock, or covey. Coveys often take dust baths and forage together.

08/19/2026

One more post from the San Diego Botanic Garden: Some of the flowers and leaves seen there. The plants native to California include those beautiful red rose hips from our California wild rose and the reddish dried flowers full of seeds from a St. Catherine's lace, a large native buckwheat. The SDBG has quite an extensive native California plant collection. They also have a medicinal plant garden featuring some native plants of the Southwest. The rest of the flowers seen here are from plants found around the world.

08/19/2026

The PED is hiring for an Air Quality Specialist. Please follow this link to see qualifications and to apply:

PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS Human Resources PMB #50 35008 Pala Temecula Rd PALA, CA 92059 JOB DESCRIPTION Title: Air Quality Specialist Department: Pala Environmental Department Status: Regular / Full-Tim

08/18/2026

An Àyily (turtle) in a pond at the San Diego Botanic Gardens. Our native turtle, the southwestern pond turtle, has become rare in San Diego. They prefer creeks and ponds without large predators like bullfrogs or fish. Many of the Àyilyam (turtles) found in ponds around homes and parks are from other areas of the US, like the red-eared slider in this video and softshell turtles.

08/17/2026

Happy Monday. On Sunday, I went to the San Diego Botanic Garden. I caught this pipevine (Aristolochia sp.) in bloom. They produce unusual flowers that are pollinated by flies. What makes them so unusual is that they look like, and smell like, rotting meat to bring in the flies.

08/13/2026

This lovely gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) was seen in the Palomar area today. Locally, we have mainly gray foxes. Red foxes and kit foxes can also be found in California. All 3 species can be shy but are often seen in the morning or evening hunting small animals. Fruits are also important in the diet of many foxes.

08/13/2026

A katydid (Microcentrum sp.) visited the office today. They munch on plants but are not usually a pest. They are beautiful insects that look exactly like green leaves. This helps them hide from birds, lizards, and other predators.