Ecology Kids Serve Celebration of the Environment

For Cajon Valley Students, Their Families/Friends, and the Community of Crest

Saturday, June 6, 2009
9am-12noon

Please join us to recognize Cajon Valley students for their achievements in the Ecology Kids Serve program. We will celebrate the students learning and their service projects. The event will feature:

• Live animals
• Interactive Performances
• Kids’ Adventure Activities
• Live Music
• Hands-on Science
• Refreshments

Please contact Michelle Cox at Crestridge.event@... or Sharon Keffer at 619-588-3128 with any questions or to RSVP.

Directions to Crestridge:

• I-8 to Greenfield Drive
• East on Greenfield to La Cresta
• Left on La Cresta for 3 miles
• At top of hill, turn left onto Mountain View
• Stay on Mountain View for 1.1 miles to Horsemill (on left)
• Turn left onto Horsemill, continue to end, park
• Walk in on dirt road

Straw Bale Visitor Kiosk Completion Project

History of the Kiosk:

Designed by internationally renowned artist James Hubbell, the visitor kiosk is a straw bale structure intended to demonstrate sustainable building techniques. In 2002, under the direction of James and Drew Hubbell, and straw bale building expert, Bob Bolles, the original kiosk was constructed by young adults from the San Diego Urban Corps and community volunteers. In the fall of 2003, with the kiosk nearing completion, the Cedar Fire struck the community of Crest. The community lost almost 300 structures. Over eighty percent of the 3,000 acres of Crestridge burned, and sadly, the kiosk was lost to the fire. Insurance funds allowed us to re-gather the crew of artists, builders, youth and community members and rebuild the structure. However, with increasing of costs and the passing of time, the funds were not sufficient to complete the project.

Purpose of the Kiosk:

Currently, all students who visit Crestridge on school science field trips (3,000 2nd-7th graders annually) enter the kiosk and learn about the concepts of insulation for energy savings and the use of sustainable building materials to preserve natural resources. When completed, the kiosk will also feature solar elements to emphasize energy conservation techniques. The kiosk is also an integral part of the site’s resources to communicate with neighbors and recreational users who make daily use of the area. The kiosk is located at the most heavily used entrance to the reserve, so has tremendous potential for community education. It is also located adjacent to the Native Plant Demonstration Garden, which encourages water-wise and habitat-friendly landscaping. Displays and materials for distribution will be incorporated into the finished building and regular ‘open’ hours will be established for visitors.

Spring/Summer 2009 Kiosk Completion Plan:

An infusion of funds to the San Diego Urban Corps prompted them to offer EDI at Crestridge the support of their program with 4 days per week of assistance starting in May. Three different crews will work at Crestridge in successive 6 weeks sessions. The first crew will be directed to kiosk completion work to the level that materials can be acquired to support their work.

Major Project Elements:

• Install pavers for interior flooring
• Replace stone pathway damaged by fire
• Continue stone as patio around building
• Build dry stack rock bench wall next to building adjacent to Native Plant Demonstration Garden
• Build dry stack rock retaining wall and steps around side and back of building
• Install skylight
• Install solar panel and battery to provide electrical power

Funds and in-kind donations of materials are needed to complete the project. Please contact Cathy Chadwick (619) 749-5767/chadgroup@... for more information.

For Our Neighbors

Please keep in touch with us about any security or fire safety issues you are aware of related to Crestridge. You can submit information via the 'Eyes on the Reserve' reporting form link on our website, or by calling (619) 437-7989.