From water harvesting to butterfly gardening

Harvesting water: Beyond the barrel

The Escondido Creek Conservancy (TECC) cordially invites you, the interested public to a free talk about harvesting rainwater. The talk centers on food security and the restoration of degraded lands, and takes place 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center

“This talk will explain how you can harvest thousands of gallons of rainwater on your property using simple systems that are often low cost or free, and create food forests to provide food in your backyard,” said Alden Hough, is a graduate of the internationally renowned Center for Agro-ecology and Sustainable Food Systems program at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Alden Hough.

Hough has created an extensive permaculture water harvesting demonstration site at Sky Mountain Permaculture in Harmony Grove, Escondido, where he offers workshops and tours

The talk is geared to empowering people to become more water and food self-sufficient, and resilient, in times of a changing climate or a break in the water or power line. Even during this period of drought and water scarcity, we can still grow food and create beautiful landscapes and this talk will explain how to do that on a property of any scale, according to Hough.

Following an extended period of travel in Asia, Alden found that traditional farming practices had been largely abandoned and replaced by the globalization of Western agriculture. This was a wake up call, seeing that even in the most remote areas of India, hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides were the norm.

Hough began to dedicate his path to organic gardening practices, regenerating the soil, social justice, and acting as if the earth really matters.

It’s a butterfly jungle out there

#butterflyjungle @sandiegozoosafaripark.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle is roaring back into life from March 12 to April 10.

Immerse yourself in a flutter of delicate wings. Each spring, Hidden Jungle gets an added dose of color during the Butterfly Jungle event, when thousands of colorful butterflies hatch and add their fluttering presence to this extraordinary exhibit.

Once a year, guests at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are completely immersed by thousands of butterflies as they walk through the Hidden Jungle aviary.

Guests should be prepared, as some of the 30 species of butterflies may even land on their shoulders and head.

The Park is open early during the Butterfly Jungle event with operating hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

A tropical rain forest is teeming with wildlife, beautiful but often hard to see. Hidden Jungle’s climate-controlled environment allows you to see delicate and fascinating tropical birds and plants. The dense growth and variety of plants provide cover and food sources for Hidden Jungle residents.

Keep in mind the following:

• Lots of activities and contests – coloring, photos…

• Dress like a colorful flower and a butterfly or two may just land on you!

• Butterfly Guide tells all about these amazing creatures!

• InstaMeet Challenge and InstaGram contests! #ButterflyJungle

• Trivia Quiz!

For all the info… go to sdzsafaripark.org/butterflyjungle