Visitors to the Preserve Open House

Visitors to the Preserve Open House included both local neighbors and visitors from as far away as the Los Angeles area. Bruce Rogers photo.

Marianne Russo, Preserve Manager, points out details of the preserve

Marianne Russo, Preserve Manager, points out details of the preserve to both neighboring residents and Advisory Board member Bill Frantz (in white hat) on a poster of the Preserve. Bruce Rogers photo.

WCC Advisory Board and members plan the day's activities

WCC Advisory Board and members plan the day's activities and assist setting up in front of the Field house. Bruce Rogers photo.

Weller Preserve Gate

By late afternoon, most of the visitors had left, satisfied that the Western Cave Conservancy was a very worthwhile neighbor. WCC Director Dr. Jerry Johnson (purple shirt), former WCC Secretary Dan Snyder (black shirt), and Advisorary Board member Bill Frantz (white hat) discuss up-coming work on the preserve. This gate has since been relocated further back from the road to meet local fire code. Bruce Rogers photo.

Yellow Star Tulip

Among the wild flower returning to the recently cleared areas of the Weller Preserve are the fuzzy Yellow Star Tulip (Calochortus monophyllus), one of the several species of "Mariposa Lilies" that add color to the Preserve each spring. Bruce Rogers photo.

Local residents, cavers, and WCC members mingled all day

Local residents, cavers, and WCC members mingled all day discussing the aims of the WCC and management of the Preserve. Bruce Rogers photo.

Light refreshments were served for visitors at the Weller Preserve Open House.

Bruce Rogers photo.

The cleared boundary trail/fire break that runs along the northern boundary

The cleared boundary trail/fire break that runs along the northern boundary of the Preserve passes large rock outcrops. Some of the rock outcrops are made of talc schist, a soft metamorphic rock some California Indians carved bowls from. Bruce Rogers photo.

Three generations of cavers from Central California

Three generations of cavers from Central California returned to the Preserve for the Open House. Bruce Rogers photo.

A display of photos of the WCC Weller Preserve Field House

A display of photos of the WCC Weller Preserve Field house showed the various stages of construction. Bruce Rogers photo.