A wildlife rescue expert, a Kumeyaay historian and a park ranger will speak at the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation's Nature Center in fall 2026 as part of a three-event Speaker Series starting Saturday, Oct. 10.
Erika Hoffman, a wildlife rehabilitation associate with San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife program, will lead the first talk, "Wildlife Rescue 101," at 10 a.m. at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. The foundation's event listing describes the session as a guide to coexisting with wild animals using safe and respectful behavior. It is recommended for ages 7 and up.
Two more talks follow on the second Saturday of each month, all at 10 a.m. at the same location.
On Nov. 14, Jennifer Stone, assistant curator at the Barona Cultural Center & Museum, will present "The Kumeyaay Through Time" in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Stone's talk will cover the history of the Barona People before and after European contact, including three waves of newcomers and enduring Kumeyaay traditions. That session is recommended for ages 5 and up.
The series wraps Dec. 12 with "Walk Among the Stars," a hands-on astronomy session led by John Walsh, a volunteer park ranger in San Marcos. Walsh will walk attendees through basic tools for planning a nighttime star walk, timed to take advantage of winter planets, constellations and meteor showers visible in December and January. Ages 5 and up.
All three events are held outdoors. Rain cancels events.
The Speaker Series has run throughout 2026, with earlier talks on subjects including avian behavior and human-wolf coexistence, according to the foundation's archives page. Recordings of past sessions are available on YouTube through that page.
The volunteer-driven nonprofit describes itself as the only organization dedicated to preserving Batiquitos Lagoon, according to its website. The lagoon is a 561-acre ecological reserve owned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to the City of Carlsbad. Endangered species including the Snowy Plover, California Least Tern and Clapper Rail have been spotted there.
Upcoming Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation events
- Saturday, Oct. 10: Speaker Series: "Wildlife Rescue 101," 10 a.m., Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane
- Saturday, Oct. 17: "Creepy, Crawly & Cool" docent-led nature walk, 10 a.m., Nature Center
- Nov. 14: Speaker Series: "The Kumeyaay Through Time," 10 a.m., Nature Center
- Nov. 21: "Kumeyaay Trail" docent-led hike (details on the foundation's website)
- Dec. 12: Speaker Series: "Walk Among the Stars," 10 a.m., Nature Center
