and fauna named for them, including Cylindropuntia ganderi, Lepechinia ganderi, Cryptantha ganderi, Caligus olsoni, Leuresthicola olsoni, Thaumameris cosgrovei. The 2003 Cedar Fire On October 26, 2003, Cedar Fire, which burned 275,000 acres in San Diego County, incinerated the entire Sanctuary. It burned all structures on the Sanctuary, leaving the three employees temporarily homeless. Insurance payments allowed building a new fire resistant residence for the resident manager, which was completed in 2007. A grant was also obtained to construct a small solar powered nature center, also built in 2007 and named the Frank F. Gander Nature Education Center. After the fire, new growth appeared on oak trees and root-ball chaparral species almost immediately, and wildflowers soon reappeared. Seven species of fire-follower wildflowers that had never been recorded at Silverwood before were found in the first few years after the fire. Fire-following birds such as Lazuli Bunting and Black-chinned Sparrow also soon arrived. By 2008, the various natural habitats at Silverwood had completely regenerated themselves following the fire. Nature education Nature education, especially for schoolchildren, has been a major function of Silverwood since its creation in 1965. Silverwood is open to the public at no charge, with free nature education hikes offered every Sunday. In 2011, a fourth-grade nature education program was begun in cooperation with several of the local school districts. Except for the period immediately after the 2003 Cedar Fire, thousands of County residents have visited the Sanctuary every year to participate in its nature education programs. A nature trail network of more than four miles (6.4 km) has been created at Silverwood. Two of the trails are marked with plant identification signs, and there is also a short ethnobotany trail, showing how various plants were used by Native Americans for food and medicinal purposes. Several of the trails include panoramic views. The Frank Gander Nature Education Center contains flora and fauna displays, historical items, a reference library, and a collection of taxidermied wildlife. There is also a demonstration of landscaping with native plants, which require little or no watering. References Mosher, Mary Bryant, Service and Silverwood: The Story of San Diego Audubon Society. First edition, 1997; second edition 2009. External links San Diego Audubon Society’s website 1965 establishments in California Protected areas established in 1965 Protected areas of San Diego County, California