Members Only - Native Plant & Flower Walk at BDER/Laguna Creek - 5/9

Come explore the sandhills habitat of Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve (BDER) and the redwood forest at Laguna Creek. This guided hike promises spectacular views, beautiful landscapes, and the unique opportunity to learn how the diversity of soil types and topography give rise to a variety of rare plant communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains!

• When: Friday, May 9, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
• Where: Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve & Laguna Creek - 975 Martin Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

This is a Members Only event. Become a member by making a donation of any amount to receive special invitations to Member Only events (like this walk!), monthly e-updates about conservation projects, a subscription to our bi-annual newsletter, and more! Click here to donate today.

Unsure of your membership status? Please contact Engagement Manager, Emily Repech at [email protected].

• Parking & meet-up location: We will meet at the main parking lot of Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve, located at 975 Martin Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (next to the Bonny Doon Fire Station). You will see Land Trust staff, ready to check you in. Due to limited parking, we strongly encourage carpooling.
• What to wear & bring: We recommend wearing good walking/hiking shoes, comfortable layers, and a hat or other sun protection. Please bring a filled reusable water bottle, snacks in a packable bag, and hiking poles (if desired).
• What to expect: There are no restrooms or potable water on property. This hike is approximately 3 miles roundtrip and moderately difficult with multiple stops to observe the flora in bloom! The trail will be sandy and rocky with some sections of steep terrain.
• Due to sensitive habitats and wildlife species, no bikes are allowed. Dogs are allowed on leash at Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve, but not on the Laguna Creek trail.

• Directions will be sent via a reminder email the week of the event.
• All updates about the event will be communicated via email (or phone in the event of cancellation). Please register to attend.

Please contact Events Manager, Audrelina Mendiola-Arriola at [email protected] or (831) 281-0386.

Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve is 552 acres of protected sandhills habitat managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The sandhills habitat is an ecologically significant resource, only found in ancient marine sand deposits in Santa Cruz County, that merits special management and protection. Among the sand dollars and marine fossils embedded in the soil, unique plant, animal, insect, and fungi communities that are found nowhere else on earth have adapted to the low moisture and nutrient content of the sandhills.

Fire and recovery are also integral parts of the history of this landscape. This area has experienced many fires including the 2008 Martin Fire and the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Many of the rare, native plants found here are fire adapted, including coast redwood, the rare Santa Cruz cypress, and Santa Cruz wallflower.

The Laguna Creek Trail is a parcel that was included in the purchase and protection of San Vicente Redwoods in 2011, owned and operated by four local land trusts, The Land Trust of Santa Cruz, Save the Redwoods League, Sempervirens Fund, and Peninsula Open Space Trust.

In partnership with the CDFW, a devoted group of local community volunteers known as the Friends of Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve, and the Land Trust work collectively to steward the public access trails meandering throughout these ecologically significant soils.

By attending this event, I hereby grant Land Trust of Santa Cruz County permission to use my likeness in photograph(s) in any publications or publicity materials (including but not limited to books, newsletters, videos and Web use), in perpetuity. Please email [email protected] if you have questions or concerns about photo permissions.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve (Laguna Creek), 975 Martin Rd, Santa Cruz, United States