Elfin Forest Interpretive Center
The Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty is a place for visitors to connect with the Escondido Creek watershed and the diverse landscapes of the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Designed by local artist James Hubbell, the center opened in 2009 through a partnership between the Escondido Creek Conservancy and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD). This collaboration brings conservation and education together, fostering a deeper appreciation for our region’s natural spaces.
The Conservancy played a key role in making the center a reality, raising over $565,000 from individual donors for its construction, with an additional $200,000 secured to enhance exhibits and expand educational programs. The center is an artistic and sustainable landmark, featuring original Hubbell designs, locally inspired artwork, and eco-friendly elements like recycled materials, solar panels, and a green roof.`
As the heart of the Conservancy’s outdoor education programs, the interpretive center welcomes thousands of students each year, particularly through our partnership with the Escondido Union School District. Our team works closely with OMWD staff and Reserve rangers to maintain the space, host community events, and create opportunities for the public to engage in conservation and stewardship.
Education Director Ariel Reed reflects on this strong partnership, stating, “Our land and education departments work with the EFRR rangers weekly, if not daily, and without this collaboration, we wouldn’t be able to make the impact that we do for our community.”
Through this shared commitment, the Interpretive Center continues to inspire visitors to appreciate nature, support conservation efforts, and take an active role in protecting North County’s open spaces.
Plan Your Visit & Get Involved
Whether you’re looking to explore the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve or get involved with our education programs, there are plenty of ways to connect:
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Join a docent-led hike to learn more about the Reserve’s trails, wildlife, and history, or find out when the Interpretive Center will be open this week – check out the schedule on the EFRR website.
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Attend a Conservation Conversation, our quarterly lecture series on local conservation topics – find upcoming events on our Events page.
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Volunteer with us! Support our education programs, serve as an Interpretive Center docent, or help maintain the Reserve through the EFRR trail patrol – learn more on our volunteer page.
Upcoming Events
Conservation Conversations Recording Archive
Many of our Conservation Conversations are recorded! Click here to view the Recording Archive and learn about different conservation topics in the Escondido Creek Watershed.
The Amazing Insect Kingdom Up Close
Presentations are FREE and begin at 10:00 AM in the Interpretive Center
RSVPs required for groups of eight or more people. 760-632-4212
2026 Dates:
January 24
April 11
July 25
October 24
Join Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve docent Bill Burkhardt in exploring the world of insects. Bill's presentations include an amazing slideshow, microscope viewing and answers to all your insect-related questions. BIll's presentations are suited for children five years old to adults. Your view of "bugs" will surely change after spending some time with Bill the Bug Guy!
Bill's fascination with inserts began as a child, and he did a lot if insect collecting as a boy grossing up on the East Coast. Bill graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Biology and continued on to recieve a Master's Degree in Entomology. Bill is currently a pastor of a local church in Encinitas. Bill began volunteering at EFRR in February 2011
Discover the Elfin Forest
Join us the Second and Third Sunday of each month, from 9:00am to 10:30am, for free interpertive nature walks. You have the opportunity to hear two different perspectives of the amazing plants, wildlife, and history at Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Walks are moderately paced on the lower creek trail and begin in front of the Elfin Forest Impetrative Center Honoring Susan J. Varty. Limited parking will be reserved for walk participants; please carpool if possible.
Al Bates
Al is a native San Diegan and avid outdoorsman. Al has been trained as an interpretative guide, is a Master Educator for the Leave No Trace Center For Outdoor Ethics, a Chaparral Naturalist, and has been a guest speaker for the Sierra Club on the topics of outdoor ethics, backpacking, hiking, and camping. Al currently volunteers on the Trail Patrol and education teams at EFRR. Join Al on the second Sunday of every month and witness a rare testimony of Elfin Forest's beauty thru it's plants and wildilfe.
2026
January 11 - February 8 - March 8 - April 12 - May 10 - June 14
July 12 - August 9 - September 13 - October 11 - November 8 - December 13
Sabina Kurz-Sherman, Ph.D
As a professor of Biology at San Diego City College for 20 years, Sabina has been guiding her students on field trips through a variety of of habitats including chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak riparian woodland. During her Elfin Forest walks, Sabina takes you on an experiential journey into sensory engagement, ecological knowledge, indigenous uses of plants, making music with a native California percussion instrument, forest bathing, and the joy of nature drawing. She invites you to walk with her on the third Sunday of each month, opening your mind and heart to the natural world.
2026
January 18 - February 15 - March 15 - April 19 - May 17 - June 21
July 19 - August 16 - September 20 - October 18 - November 15 - December 20
Discover the enchanting music of Dryad, expressed through the vocal harmony, classical guitar, flutes made from tree branches and lyrics that convey the wonder and concerns of our natural world.
First Sunday of each month from 12:00 to 12:45 PM
A Free Concert at the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center!
2026 Performance Dates:
January 4 February 1 March 1 April 5 May 3 June 7
July 5 August 2 September 6 October 4 November 1 December 1
EFRR Additional Resources
**Virtual Experience**
Can’t visit in person? Explore our Interpretive Center’s VR experience here: Virtual Tour.
Support the Interpretive Center!
Your donation keeps our doors open, funds interactive exhibits, and brings free community events to life. Every dollar also helps thousands of students experience unforgettable field trips at EFRR each year.
Give today and make a lasting impact!