La Quinta Cove

Our advocacy group is working with the City to restore the natural vegetation in the Preserve that has been destroyed by off-road vehicles, dumping, and meandering foot traffic.  The new footpath along the east side is an effort to keep pedestrian traffic from further damaging the fragile desert flora and fauna by tracking all through the Preserve.  We request that citizens refrain from creating their own pathways, including paths lined with rocks or delineated in any other way.  If you have suggestions for additional pathways, please contact Steve Howlett at 777-7090.  We can work together to enjoy our beautiful Preserve to its fullest, yet restore and maintain as much nature in the Preserve as we can.   THANKS!

P.S.  Of course, dog feces also infect and detract from the beauty of the Preserve.  Please remind your fellow-walkers to keep their dogs on a leash and clean up after them.  DOUBLE THANKS!

Did you notice the recent sprouting of flags along the trail and Tecate at the top of the Cove?  Did you closely investigate and notice they were place to dramatize the abundant piles of dog poop left by inconsiderate owners?  Here’s a message about this effort to educate the public on the community and wildlife hazards of poop:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ROrLbhlOdI

Ms. Healey and Ms Barrows led an eager group of young people (and adults) on a morning nature walk along the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Trail and Preserve.  They focused kids’ attention on desert plants, including root systems, transpiration, and accommodation to an arid climate.  Here’s the introduction:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euD0hSNqsC8

Tracy Albrect, Interpretive Specialist for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument brought to the Museum samples of many plants  that were important to the Cahuilla tribes.  But the mesquite topped them all.  Take a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHK_Y6S2Yjw

The first of 9 Nature Walks took place on Saturday, September 20th.  The topic was CULTURAL HISTORY: THE CAHUILLA INDIANS IN LA QUINTA.  These Nature Walks are a collaborative program between the City of La Quinta and the Stewards of the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve.  Michelle Hedgecock of Caliso Learning, led this most interesting and informative walk.  A few of the educational facts are described below:

1.  The Creosote bush was a pharmacy for the Cahuilla Indians.  The leaves were used to make Cahuilla Tea for medicinal purposes.  Also this plant was a common item used as we now use antibiotics.

2.  The Cats Claw Acacia was a plant used for food by the Cahuillas.

3.  The Sweet Bush or sometimes called the Chuckwalla Delight was the food for the Chuckwalla, a vegetarian lizard.

4.  The Brittlebush was also a medicinal plant used as a chewing gum to relieve thirst.

5.  The Mesquite spines were used for tattooing and the ash from the Aguave was used for the ink.

These are just a few facts that Michelle talked about as she identified the various plants etc. that were used by the Cahuilla Indians.  Our beautiful cove is a wealth of examples for learning how the Cahuillas lived during their settlement in this area.

The schedule of the upcoming Nature Walks can be viewed on page 15 of the Community Services Activity Guide http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=491.  There are several designed especially for children including the next one on October 18th.  Please refer to the Activity Guide for details and plan to attend over the 6 months.  This is such a great way to enjoy the beautiful landscape of our community and to learn many interesting facts.  The Cove Neighborhood Association will notify you of the upcoming events on this subject.  A video appears today on the website to give you a taste of the Nature Walk.  Several books are available to learn more about the Cahuilla Indians in our area.

“Temalpakh, Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants” by Lowell John Bean

“The Cahuilla Landscape” by Lowell John Bean

Interpretive Specialist from the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument introduces the Monument before the roadrunner show.