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INTERESTING TIMES


To say we live in interesting times would normally sound cliché, but it is very true.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 disease, was identified, named, and studied since November 2019, just a few months over a year. During that time, our world has struggled to get the virus and its disease under control.

Countries have approached the issue of control in many different ways, with many different results, some great and some not so great. Restrictions of population movement resulting in economic consequences have been difficult to accept worldwide, resulting in strong and vocal opinions locally and internationally.

Worldwide, Scientists have been collaborating internationally on research to understand the virus and its disease so effective treatments and vaccines can be developed. Many of the research projects into vaccines have resulted in several effective vaccines in less than a year.

New treatments are being tested to avoid the very invasive early treatments that were being used. The human response has been amazing, beautiful, intelligent, and questioning all at the same time. So it seems very true that we do live in interesting times.

JMDC CONTINUED TO WORK IN 2020

Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center spent most of 2020 closed to the public. JMDC first closed in March 2020, reopened in October 2020, closed in December 2020, and reopened again in February 2021.

During our closures to the public, our amazing Staff has stayed working; caring for and enhancing the gardens, caring for our reforesting effort (309 trees) planted in mid-2019, completing property improvement projects, expanding our collection of live animals for JMDC’s Critter Corner, and all the mundane and routine work that goes into caring for JMDC.

MORE ABOUT OUR PROPERTY

JMDC is a privately held 501.c.3 non-profit organization with a fifteen-member Board of Directors, an Executive Director, paid full and part-time staff, and volunteers that keep everything maintained and operating.

With no regular or routine support from the Federal, State, County, or City governments, JMDC needs to pay our own way and earn our funding by operating the many facets that make-up the gem-in-the-rough that is Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center.

Some of the facets of our Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center gem-in-the-rough are:

  • JMDC’s Granite Hill Nursery specializing in cactus and succulents. We grow from our own seed, propagate cuttings from our mother-plants, and purchase many cactus and succulents for the beginning and experienced collectors to purchase in our nursery. JMDC’s experienced Staff provides guidance on the care of cactus and succulents with suggestions for planting. If you have a particular cactus or succulent you are looking for, email us at granitehillnursery@jmdc.org with what you are looking for.
  • JMDC’s Museum of Discoveries has been undergoing a complete renovation that began in July 2019. New paleontology exhibits have been brought in (some donated, some purchased, and others on loan) to give our guests a greater experience discovering so much of what makes this world unique. Our path through time will guide visitors from the earliest history of our world to today through rocks, minerals, and fossil records of the past. The building that houses JMDC’s Museum of Discoveries is closed to the general public. However, private tours are being arranged for JMDC Members during our public hours and based on staff availability. Members can contact store@jmdc.org to make arrangements for a tour.
  • JMDC’s Critter Corner is a varied collection of live animals focusing on reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. JMDC Staff likes to convert visitors into fans of these unique animals by introducing them to the critters’ unusual behaviors, body styles, and living environments. The enclosures are a combination of function and form, meaning some critters live in enclosures that provide a safe, balanced environment that functions well if they are coming out often to interact with the public. Other critters live in enclosures that are reasonable recreations of wild environments. Once visitors are converted, these critters have very devoted fans who enjoy visiting with them as often as possible. Later in the year, JMDC’s Critter Corner will be moving to a stand-alone building and developing an expanded education program for family and school interaction. For more information about our critters, our expanding education program, or sponsoring a critter, contact education@jmdc.org. Due to current restrictions, critters are brought outside from their enclosures throughout the day to interact with visitors.
  • JMDC’s Gift Shop of Discoveries is expanding the items that are for sale. New displays are being added to accommodate new items. There is a unique selection to choose from if you are interested in rough or polished rocks and minerals. A large collection of natural crystals from very small that’ll fit in your pocket to large specimens that can be the focus of any living area. If your interests are fossils, we have many fossils ready to be added to your beginning or established collections. JMDC’s Gift Shop of Discoveries would not be complete without educational gifts or just some fun or cute items, and there are many to choose from. For souvenirs, we have a great selection of branded items to choose from. If you have something special that you are looking for, email us at store@jmdc.org, and we’ll try to source it out for you.
  • JMDC’s education programs are conducted mostly in the north (upper) and east parts of the 82 acres that make up JMDC. Our programs are designed to meet California Next Generation Science and California Common Core standards for Kindergarten through 12th grade with a focus on 1st through 6th grades. Every year we update our programs as needed to make sure students and teachers get the program that they want and need. JMDC has twelve standard programs that we offer, many of which can be adjusted up or down a few grade levels. A brief description of each can be found at https://jmdc.org/activities-and-programs/. We will also custom design a program to meet your needs. Just ask us at education@jmdc.org.
  • JMDC’s Sauntering Gardens feature multiple specialized gardens: Butterfly, Cactus, and Succulent, Aloe Fields, Iris, Demonstration Orchard, Heirloom Citrus Orchard, along with many small attractive plantings are a great place to relax. While you saunter through the gardens, you will see many of JMDC’s dinosaur sculptures that are fun and educational. There are small places to sit (more are being built) and watch our urban nature move about; birds feeding, butterflies flitting about, rabbits and squirrels run and hide when they think they are discovered, lizards sun themselves getting ready to find a meal, and many of the larger and smaller animals that call JMDC home will show themselves if you have the patience to wait for them. The gardens have many great places to take pictures and venues for family or corporate events. If you are interested in having a family or corporate event at JMDC or you are a professional photographer who wants to use JMDC, contact us at event@jmdc.org to get details.
  • JMDC’s Membership program has many benefits, some very unique, for individuals, families, or Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center supporters. Depending on your participation level, there are different benefits; discounts on purchases, Member Only Events, limited parking passes, private tours, preferred pricing for Children’s Birthday Parties, parking fees waived, private dinner for two, one-of-kind shirts, and JMDC Fun Packs. Regardless of pandemic closures, all JMDC Memberships will get their full 12 months of benefits; when appropriate, membership expiration dates will be extended. For more information on JMDC Memberships, you can email info@jmdc.org, and we’ll answer questions.

We’re Open Again

JMDC is very happy to have visitors back making all the fun discoveries that they enjoy doing. We continue to work on polishing this gem-in-the-rough and expanding the many facets that JMDC offers, and adding a few more. Watch in the future for the development of the Critter Garden with our Turtle Pond as the flagship critter enclosure. This will be a wonderful place to learn about some of the unique critters that make this world a great place to make discoveries.


Many Discoveries,
Wes Andrée
Executive Director

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Three Toed Box Turtle

Baby is one of our original Critter Corner Ambassadors.  She has visited with hundreds of school children during the years she has called JMDC home.  Baby came to us as a donation from a family that was no longer able to keep her.  Baby is very friendly and looks forward to her daily tasty worm snack.

The three-toed box turtle is native to south-central United States, from Missouri and Oklahoma south to Alabama and west into Texas. This turtle needs to live near water and prefers a combination of wooded and grassy habitat.  Populations of all 6 subspecies of Terrapene carolina, including the three-toed box turtle, are in decline. The species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, the world’s leading conservation organization. The main causes of decline are habitat destruction.

If you sponsor Baby, your donation will help pay for her food and care.

Just $5.00 per month or $60.00 per year will contribute to Baby’s food and upkeep.

Panther Chameleon

Rango has been part of the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center Critter family for the past year.  His vibrant colors and his tong like feet which allow him to grip tight to narrow branches make him a favorite with Critter Corner visitors.

Panther Chameleons are native to Madagascar.  They live in tropical forests and bushes. Panther chameleons have very long tongues (sometimes longer than their own body length) which they are capable of rapidly extending out of the mouth.   At the tip of this elastic tongue, a muscular, club-like structure covered in thick mucus forms a suction cup. Once the tip sticks to a prey item, it is drawn quickly back into the chameleon’s mouth.

If you sponsor Rango, your donation will help to pay for his food and care.

Just $10.00 per month or $120.00 per year will contribute to Rango’s food and upkeep.

Green Iguana

Zilla, our Green Iguana, came to live at Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center over three years ago when the family with whom she was living could no longer care for her.  She is one of our original Critter Corner residents.  Zilla loves to have her head scratched, and one of her favorite treats is blueberries.

The green iguana is native to South America and some portions of central and North America where it typically lives high up in trees in the rainforest. The iguana is mostly an herbivore, meaning that it likes to eat plants including leaves and fruit.  An interesting feature of green iguanas is their third eye. This is an extra eye on top of their head called a parietal eye. This eye is not quite like a normal eye, but it can help iguanas detect the movement of a predator sneaking up on them from above.

If you sponsor Zilla, your donation will help pay for her food and care.

Just $20.00 per month or $240.00 per year will contribute to Zilla’s food and upkeep.

Motley Marble Golden Child Reticulated Python

Toby, is nearly two years old, and has called Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center home for the past year.  During his time here, Toby has grown from a mere 5-foot yearling to nearly 7 feet long.  When he is full grown, he can reach anywhere from 12 – 14 feet in length.   

Reticulated pythons are native to South Asia and Southeast Asia.  In their natural habitat a reticulated python will eat birds and mammals.  At Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center, Toby eats large rats.

If you sponsor Toby, your donation will help pay for his food and care. 

Just $20.00 per month or $240.00 per year will contribute to Toby’s food and upkeep.

Frilled lizard

Nigel is a hybrid ¾ New Guinea ¼ Australian Frilled Lizard; and the newest member of the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center Critter family.  As a yearling, Nigel is still small.  When he is full grown, he will be about 24” long.  Nigel is an insectivore.  We feed him a diet of super worms, cockroaches, and crickets. 

Frilled lizards have a unique mode of defense.  When they are frightened, opens its pink or yellow mouth, and stands up on two back legs. It then pops up the large piece of colorful thin, extra skin surrounding its neck, like an umbrella. 

If you sponsor Nigel, your donation will help pay for his food and care.

Just $10.00 per month or $100.00 per year will contribute to Nigel’s food and care.

Volunteer Application

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches can be found in tropical forests, near river banks, and around trees and logs. Their geographic range in limited to Madagascar.

In the wild, cockroaches consume various plant and animal matter. At Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center, we feed them greens, fruits, and vegetables.

Cockroaches can live from 2 – 5 years.

If you sponsor me and my family, your donation will pay for my food and care.

Just $5.00 per month or $60.00 per year will feed a family of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches for one year.

Volunteer Requirements

  • Enjoy people and interacting with others
  • Completed training and demonstrated comprehension of information and techniques
  • Have an interest in nature, or the willingness to learn
  • Have an open mind that is ready to learn and experience new things
  • Be willing to represent Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center in a friendly and professional manner
  • Be able to communicate clearly and calmly
  • Be responsible, committed, punctual, flexible and neat in appearance
  • Have free time to devote to the position

Package #9 – Create Your Own Birthday Party Experience

JMDC Staff will work with you to create a one-of-a-kind birthday experience.  Bring your big ideas and we’ll see what we can do!  

JMDC Family Membership – Price is quoted based on your imagination. 

Looking to make your party even more special? 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

Package #8 – The Roswell Archaeology Experience

This is archaeology at a new level.  Excavate fossils and artifacts that may have been left by visitors from other planets.  You never know what you may find when exploring at JMDC. 

JMDC Family Membership – $120.00 for 10 children and 30 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Non-Members – $180.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

 

Package #7 – Fossils Through Time

This party is designed for the celebrant who loves fossils.  Your party leader will take Explorers through the fossil time line.  Explorers will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with all types of fossils.  Conclude the fossil experience by polishing an ammonite to take home.

JMDC Family Membership – $150.00 for 10 children and 30 adults.  $13.50 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Cost (Non-Members) – $210.00 for up to 10 children and 25 adults.  $13.50 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

Package #6 – Adventures in Adobe

Who doesn’t like to play in the mud?  An Adventures in Adobe party is the perfect combination of education and fun.  Party Explorers will hear stories about life during the Mission period in California.  Then be prepared to get dirty.  Party Explorers will take off their shoes, roll up their pants legs, and stomp in the adobe mud until it is perfect brick consistency.  Everyone makes a brick to take home.

JMDC Family Membership – $120.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Non-Members – $180.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

Package #5 – Paint a Dinosaur

This art oriented party is an excellent choice for children and adults alike.  Explorers can choose from a variety of premade dinosaur (or another ceramic figure) to paint, limited only by the imagination.  Our professional ceramics instructor will be there to offer tips and teach new painting techniques.  Each Party Explorer will take home a hand crafted work of art.  This package includes ceramic figure, paint and brushes.

JMDC Family Membership – $150.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $15.00 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Non-Members – $210.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $15.00 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

 

Package #4 – Storytelling with Pictographs

A party experience for creative folks of any age.  Party Explorers will experience the art of storytelling using pictures rather than words.  They will grind minerals into paint and, after a little practice, paint their story on wooden shingle using a yucca brush.

JMDC Family Membership – $130.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $11.00 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Non-Members – $190.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $11.00 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

Package #3 – Strike it Rich! Gold Panning

Return to the days of early California with this wild west birthday adventure.  Participants will travel back to the Gold Rush Days of California.  Hear stories about the gold rush, learn panning techniques, then strike out to find some gold.  Keep the gems and minerals you discover.

JMDC Family Membership – $150.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $13.50 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Cost (Non-Members)- $210.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $13.50 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

Package #2 – Diggin’ the Dinosaurs

A party for the future paleontologist or dinosaur enthusiast.  Party Explorers will hike through the gardens where they will learn about the dinosaurs from their knowledgeable Expedition Leader.  Upon arrival at the dig site, Explorers will learn the proper technique for excavating a fossil, and then try their hand at uncovering a mock Allosaurus skeleton.

JMDC Family Membership – $120.00 for 10 children and 30 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Non-Members – $180.00 for 10 children and 25 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

Package #1 – Party with the Dinosaurs

The perfect party for the Rockhounder in your life. Through hands-on participation, Explorers learn identifying factors for some of the rocks and minerals we use every day.  A walk through the gardens follow, with stops along the way at the JMDC dinosaurs.  Your party Expedition Leader will share interesting dinosaur facts.  Once your group reaches Dino Mesa, Birthday Explorers are set loose in our collection area where twelve treasures of their choice can be added to an egg carton to take home.

JMDC Family Membership – $120.00 for 10 children and 30 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$3.00 for each additional adult. 

Non-Members – $180.00 for up to 10 children and 25 adults.  $10.00 for each additional child/$5.00 for each additional adult. 

Choose from our many available add-ons. 

Upgrade to deluxe surprise bags – $2.00 per bag 

Dippin’ Dots – $3.50 per person 

Paint a ceramic dinosaur – $7.00 per person 

Meet the Critters – $2.00 per person 

Add a second package – Save 30% on the lesser priced package 

Want more time for your party – Add an extra hour in the birthday area – $35.00 per hour 

Fossils through Time

Discover facts about fossils and the geological timeline. 

Explorers examine fossils close up and take home a fossil of their own. 

Cost – $12.50 per person.

Meets CA Next Generation Science Standards – 3LS4.A; 3LS4.C; 4ESS1.C; MS8ESS1.C; MS8LS4.A   

 

Dinosaur Dig

Our Dinosaur Dig site is fun for budding paleontologists of all ages! This Expedition introduces Explorers to the world of paleontology through a hands-on dig experience.  Explorers take a walking tour of our dinosaur sculptures, and then help unearth an Allosaurus fossil, replicating an actual dig.  

Cost – $10.00 per person. 

Meets CA Next Generation Science Standards – 3LS4.A; 3LS4.C; 4ESS1.C;

California Rockhound

This expedition offers an excellent opportunity for Explorers to become familiar with the rock cycle.  Covered topics included rock formation from magma (igneous rocks), water and wind erosion (sedimentary rocks), and heat and pressure (metamorphic rocks). Also included is a discussion about the importance of rocks and minerals as a natural resource. Each Explorer receives a set of eight rocks and eight minerals to take home. 

Cost – $12.50 per person.

Meets CA Next Generation Science Standards – 2ESS1.C; 2ESS2.A; 2ESS2.C; 4ESS1.C; 4ESS2.A; 4ESS3.A; 4ESS3.B; 7ESS3.A;

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