Santiago Creek Week

Santiago Creek Week is May 12-18, 2008
While the urban environment in Orange County continues to change, hidden in its maze of neighborhoods, businesses, and roads are cascading waterfalls, ancient canyons of weathered sandstone, hillsides covered with wildflowers, shady oak woodlands, and the constant circulation of our drinking water. This fascinating urban oasis is known as the Santiago Creek Watershed, and your opportunity to experience its many secrets is coming up in Spring 2008.

Santiago Creek flows from the Cleveland National Forest, through the canyon communities and on through Villa Park, Orange and Santa Ana, where it joins the Santa Ana River.

Santiago Creek Week 2008 is a collaboratively sponsored series of events designed to draw attention to the Santiago Creek Watershed and its many important features and resources. With the community organizations, local government agencies, and other stakeholders involved, this year's Creek Week is sure to be the best yet. Please email jrobinson@santiagocreek.org for reservations.

Steelhead Run Scavenger Hunt (multiple locations) - Monday, May 12 through Sunday, May 18

Where is this old man rock outcrop?

Santiago Creek Week 2008 kicks off on May 12th with an orienteering challenge sponsored by REI. Download the map of the watershed and the extensive checklist with coordinates and spend the week exploring mysterious side canyons, historical placemarkers, and biodiversity hotspots. Each item found must be certified by the nearest site coordinator or through photographs. Whoever finds the most items on the list will be awarded at the festival with a valuable prize from REI. Download flyer. Visit Steelhead Run Scavenger Hunt Blog.

Where is this ancient hanging tree?

Santiago Creek BioBlitz (multiple locations) - Monday, May 12 through Sunday, May 18

What type of frog is this?

The Santa Ana Watershed Association invites you to spend a morning(s) and learn about the wildlife and plants in Santiago Creek! Each day at particular location within the watershed, a professional biologist will lead you on a biological field survey. You will turn over rocks, collect specimens, and look for wildlife. Sign up for a morning to walk a stretch of creek and learn what is out there. Visit Santiago Creek BioBlitz Blog.

Nocturnal Wildlife Monitoring - Monday, May 12 from 7PM to 9PM.

Sunset over western spadefoot toad habitat.

Spend Monday night learning about the wildlife of Santiago Creek! A biologist will lead you on a survey of wildlife, including owls, bats, and terrestrial mammals.

VIP Shuttle Tour of the Watershed - Friday, May 16 from 8:30AM - 1:00PM

Elected officials, key government staff, Board members from OCWD and OCSan, Presidents of local nonprofits and community leaders are invited to discover and rediscover the valuable treasure of the Santiago Creek Watershed. Continental breakfast at Santiago Park Lawn Bowling Clubhouse, travel by vans along the creek with short walking tours, and finish with a delicious lunch. Hosted by the Santa Ana River Watershed Alliance, a project of Earth Resource Foundation. RSVP: Patrick Mitchell at 714-448-6889 or pmitchell@ci.santa-ana.ca.us or Joel Robinson at jrobinson@santiagocreek.org prior to Wednesday, May 14 at 5 PM.

Creekbed Cleanup at Santiago Park & Cambridge Restoration Area - Saturday, May 17 from 9AM to 10:30AM.

Family cleaning up creek.

Help remove litter and weeds from Santiago Creek. Food will be available for cleanup participants at Santiago Park, 510 East Memory Lane, Santa Ana, 92706. Sponsored by Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance (SCGA).

Bird Walk at OCWD Recharge Basins - Saturday, May 17 from 12:30PM to 2:30PM.

White-faced Ibis

The Orange County Water District will be hosting a "behind the scenes" Bird Walk at the Recharge Basins off of Collins in East Orange.

History Comes Alive at Jack Fisher Park - Saturday, May 17 from 7:30PM to 9:30PM.

Living history storytelling and campfire program. Travel to the days when grizzly bears and wolves roamed the Saddleback Valley. Featuring authentic period music, family activities, and food.

Watershed Wonderfest at Santiago Park - Sunday, May 18 from 10AM-3PM.

Booth at festival.

The week concludes with a festival at Santiago Park in Santa Ana. Environmental Expo, Orienteering activity with REI, Food, Live Music, Nature Tours, Guest Speakers, Art Show, and Award Ceremony.

Watershed Walks (Nature Tours)
Bird Walk - 11:30 AM
Butterfly - 12:30 PM
Plant - 1:30 PM
Fire Ecology - 2:30 PM

Art in the Park (multiple locations) - Monday, May 12 through Sunday, May 18.
Troutboy by Joel Robinson (found objects, celluclay, acrylic)

Use the watershed as your inspiration for your own masterwork. Between May 12th and the 17th, download a map of the watershed, visit a site(s), and use your medium to convey a sense of place and/or experience. Present your work along with others at an art show during the Watershed Wonderfest at Santiago Park in on May 18th.

Partners/Sponsors: