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Exploring Our Sense of Place

A Seminar Series in the Field

in the San Dieguito Watershed

The Exploring Our Sense of Place program, created in 2007 by Chris Khoury and Linda Corey, is sponsored by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy.  More than 200 Explorers have graduated from the program, all of whom are now able to participate in ESP Alumni hikes and educational experiences.

The ESP program is an 8-session seminar series that includes a reception, 7 excursions with lectures by experts, and special “reflection time.”

The Exploring Our Sense of Place program allows participants to experience the San Dieguito River Valley in all seasons, to follow its path from mountain to sea, to encounter plant, animal and human inhabitants, and to connect to the River Valley with their heart and minds.  

Our hikes range from moderate to moderately difficult.  If you have questions about the specific challenges of any hike, send us a message.

The 2023-2024 registration is closed.  Click here to go to the ESP interest list for next year. 

The excursion information and schedule can be found in the Excursions and Calendar tabs on this site.   

At the last excursion of each seminar series, Explorers are asked to evaluate their Exploring Our Sense of Place experience. Many ESP explorers comment that ESP has been a life-changing experience. Priscilla Lister, a Class of 2012 Exploring Our Sense of Place Explorer, published this article in the Union Tribune. Sue Britt, class of 2021, created ESP inspired artwork highlighted in this Union Tribune article. Gift yourself with the Exploring Our Sense of Place experience!