CHUMASH VILLAGE TRAIL

The Chumash Village Trail is a beautiful flat half mile loop. The trail is mostly shaded by gorgeous mature oak trees. In fact, many of these trees are thought to be over 400 years old. You will notice some evidence of the Woolsey Fire that passed through this park in 2018, but these oak trees have proven their resilience by growing back their beautiful foliage.  

What makes this trail so special is that it is packed with nature and history. You will hike past a chimney and tools that were from the original Historical Lang Ranch from over 150 years ago.

The trail continues through a replica of a Chumash Village. This area is designated a historical landmark dedicated to the Chumash Community that is believed to have lived in this area over 1,000 years ago. The Chumash is thought to have been here that long ago due to artifacts that have been found in the area.

As you explore this trail with your family, be sure to soak in the beauty and the historical and cultural significance this area provides.
Chumash Museum Educator, Kagen, and his young friend hike to the replica village. We learn about the construction of an 'ap (the traditional tule house), as well as the game field and the history of Oakbrook park.

Trail Map &
Scavenger Hunt

Print the following map and scavenger hunt by clicking on picture below. The scavenger hunt can be done by simply marking the items off on the paper when they are spotted or attaching little stickers on the pictures.  
Enjoy! 

A HABITAT TO MANY

A habitat is a place where an animal or plant lives and gets all the things it needs to survive, including food, water, shelter, and space to grow, breed, and raise young.

Many plants and animals call this trail home. Rabbits, squirrels, coyote, and deer are just a few of the animals that have been spotted on this trail. This trail is a great place for bird watching and finding many of the plant species that are native to this area.  

Each of plants and animals you find on this trail has a specific job and purpose.  Please give them space and admire their hard work as you walk by. 

Look Out for Granaries!

By definition, a granary is a container or storehouse for grain. The Acorn Woodpecker uses tree trucks to store acorns. As you walk along the trail, see if you can spot some of the acorn granaries the woodpeckers in the area have created. 
The Acorn Woodpecker is a favorite among bird watchers. It has a clown-like appearance and the unique habit of storing acorns in a favored tree that is often used by generations of birds. Wildlife Photographer Marie Read shares her experience photographing the behaviors of these lovely birds.

Not Just a Dead Log

A decaying log is actually a microhabitat within a larger forest habitat. It provides all essential elements for the many small animals and microorganisms that make the log their home. After a rainy season, this log is transformed into a "Nurse Log". A Nurse Log provides a perfect spot for seedlings to mature and new plants to grow. 

Native Plants

This area is home to many plant species that are special to this area. Not only can they not be found in other parts of the country, but there is incredible significance to how they were used historically.  

The Education Team from the Chumash Museum has graciously allowed me to attach the plant guide they provide to museum guests. This incredible resource not only provides details about the plants in the area, but also give Chumash words and uses for these plants. You may download it here:
https://naturekidsactivities.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ethnobotany-Booklet_Chumash_Museum.pdf

Please note that many of the plants go dormant during the fall and winter months.  Springtime is a great time to see many of these flowering plants in bloom.   

Adventure Hike

Why not make your hike through this forest an adventure? In this activity, you can take a “shrew’s-eye-view” of life in the woods to gain an appreciation for the many living things that make forests their homes, and for the variety of habitats within forests. 

Start your visit to this trail by reading together as a family the story below of the S.T. Shrew. After reading the story, walk along the Chumash Village Trail and see if you can spot some the habitats mentioned in the story. Maybe even write a continuation story while you are hiking using what you see around you as details for the story!

For more details in this family activity, visit the website below:

Help Support Our
Local Museum

Many people assume that all museums are funded by the government, when in reality it is only a handful of large institutions that are and even those are only partially funded. Small museums (and theatres and galleries) need support too.  

Shop the Gift Shop

 
The Chumash Museum Gift Shop is closed for in-person shopping but amazing gifts and items can be accessed online here: 
 https://www.chumashmuseum.org/store
All gift shop sales generate money that go directly into paying essential bills at the museum.

Make a Donation 

By clicking the button below you can make a donation through PayPal.
Donate to Chumash Museum
A SPECIAL THANKS
I want to express a special thank you to Vivian Steindal and the rest of the Chumash Museum Staff for helping me put together this newsletter.  
Your help and input was invaluable! 
THIS IS A CLUB SO LET'S SHARE OUR ADVENTURES! 
This week, share your Chumash Village Trail pictures using the hashtag: #CONEJOVALLEYNATURECLUB
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