Picnic, Hiking, and Free Cake!

Sunday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Arroyo Hondo Preserve
Advance reservations required at synature@west.net or 693-5683.
Reservations are requested for everyone, even those who are not registering for a field trip.

We are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society at beautiful Arroyo Hondo Preserve. Arroyo Hondo, known as the “Jewel of the Gaviota Coast,” is part of a historic ranch that was purchased by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County in 2001. Its 782 acres encompass lovely trails, great biodiversity, bold geologic features, and a watershed that remains largely pristine.

We have reserved the picnic area, and lunch will begin at noon!  Come before lunch to enjoy the Preserve on your own or reserve a spot on one of our morning field trips. The Society is offering two moderate hikes with trip leaders Sally Isaacson (botany) and Guy Tingos (birding), both beginning at 9:00 a.m. (The details are below). After lunch, explore on your own or join naturalists Susie Bartz and Larry Ballard on a hike to explore the geology of Arroyo Hondo, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Society’s annual election and introduction of new and returning board members will take place at 1:00 p.m., and this business interlude will be quite brief.

You can bring your own lunch or arrange to have the Society deliver a delicious box lunch from El Rancho Marketplace for $15.00. See below for the various choices on the box-lunch menu. When you make your reservation to attend this event, you can indicate if you want to have a box lunch delivered at noon, and if so, let us know your choice of menu item(s). Payment for lunch can be made via Paypal (below) or by sending a check with menu choice(s) to SYVNHS, PO Box 794, Los Olivos, CA 93441. We’ll accept payment for the box lunch up until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5. The Society will have a selection of nonalcoholic beverages available to purchase at the picnic. And everyone will be invited to enjoy a slice of anniversary cake provided by the Society.

In the event of rain, we will offer a rain date and/or refund your money, depending on your preference.

Arroyo Hondo Preserve is located long Highway 101, 20 miles from Buellton and 27 miles west of Santa Barbara between Refugio State Beach and Gaviota State Park. Registrants will receive detailed information with directions to the Preserve.

Gourmet Box Lunch Choices:

1. Smoked Turkey breast with Brie, mayonnaise, fresh tomato on a croissant.
   Served with Basil Pasta Salad, Fresh Fruit Salad, Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie with Pecans.
2. Mortadella, Salami, Ham and Provolone Cheese with lettuce, mayonnaise, honey mustard and a side of Italian Dressing on a french Roll.
   Served with Tortellini Salad (with sun dried tomatoes, olives,onions and pine nuts), Fresh Fruit Salad, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie.
3. Rare Roast Beef and aged yellow cheddar on a sour dough baguette with lettuce, tomato, Bermuda onions and horseradish.
   Served with Basil Pasta Salad (with marinated artichoke hearts, feta cheese and kalamata olives), Fresh Fruit Salad, Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie.
4.  Toasted Whole Wheat bread, roasted red bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, sprouts, aged yellow cheddar, Bermuda onions, roasted garlic mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
   Served with Tortellini Salad (with sun dried tomatoes, olives,onions and pinenuts), Fresh Fruit Salad, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie.
5. Balsamic Chicken Salad made with Smoke Roasted Chicken Breast, red grapes, scallions and roasted walnuts dressed with Walnut Oil and Balsamic Vinaigrette.
   Served with Fresh Fruit Salad, Demi Baguette with butter, , Homemade Lemon Crisp Cookie.