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Exploring Our Sense of Place
A Seminar Series connecting you with the San Dieguito Watershed
Exploring Our Sense of Place encourages participants (called Explorers) to deepen their personal connection with nature through a series of educational hikes within the San Dieguito Watershed. The program begins with a kick-off reception in September, followed by monthly excursions from October through May.
Guided by experts in geology, botany, ecology, birding, natural history, and archaeology, each excursion is designed to expand Explorers’ understanding of the watershed. Excursions also include time for participants to reflect on their personal connection to nature and the river valley.
As one recent graduate of the program shared:
“Very positive, and I would recommend it to others! Educational, sometimes inspiring, with great social dynamics. It helped me build a sense of place and community.”
The ESP program provides Explorers with the opportunity to experience the San Dieguito River Valley in all seasons, follow its path from mountain to sea, encounter its past and present plant, animal, and human inhabitants, and connect to the river valley with both their hearts and minds.
Program enrollment is limited to 25 participants each year. The hikes range in difficulty from easy to moderately challenging.
Since its founding in 2007 by Chris Khoury and Linda Corey, more than 400 Explorers have completed the program.
Registration Opens Soon- Add your name to the Wait list Register Here- **To reserve your spot in the upcoming session, please ensure you are a current Conservancy supporter. Donations directly support our ongoing conservation efforts in the River Valley. You can become a supporter by donating $50 here.
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!
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