On this visit, I would like to take my 13 Norco College students on the marked Nature Trail, trailhead near the headquarters, to observe a mixed coniferous forest at roughly 4,000 ft elevation, to include pines, firs, cedars, as well as manzanitas and other understory shade species. In addition, we will discuss the history of the James Reserve, in the UC Natural Reserve System, and its location relevant to Black Mountain, the rainshadow effect, and the presence of the Mojave Desert on the leeward side. We are also interested in the fauna, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. I would like to arrive in the Norco College vans between 9:30 and 10:00, connect with Jennifer Gee, the director, for any special information she can share, and then spend the rest of the morning on the trail until noon.

In Review