Community Education
Walks, Talks & Classes

MARCH | APRIL | MAY

The Laguna Foundation is proud to collaborate with local biologists, artists, educators, naturalists, and partner organizations to offer a wide range of natural and cultural history online programs, presentations, and outings all year long. Whether you’d like to learn a new skill, enjoy the beautiful Laguna scenery, or attend a fun event with your family, the Laguna Foundation has a variety of offerings to deepen your appreciation for the Laguna de Santa Rosa, connect with nature, and inspire a vibrant community dedicated to lifelong learning.

Please note that all in-person outings follow current Sonoma County health orders and guidelines for group activities to keep everyone safe during COVID-19. Heavy smoke, excessive heat or heavy rain cancels outdoor programs. Lastly, please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend an outing so we can offer a spot to someone on the wait-list.

Select webinar recordings can be found on our Educational Resources page or on our YouTube channel.

March
	The Wow of Bird Colors Online Presentation with Naturalist, David Lukas Friday, March 24, 2023. 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm $10-$25 (sliding scale). Pre-registration required. Location: This is an ONLINE event. You will receive information on how to join the webinar shortly before the event begins. In part two of a four-part series of talks on bird biology, naturalist David Lukas will introduce us to the marvelous world of bird colors and patterns. Do you know how many types of colors there are on birds, and how these colors are produced? Did you know that humans and birds see colors in different ways and that birds use colors and patterns in a wide range of ecological and behavioral contexts? This will be a fun, and colorful, talk that leaves you never seeing birds the same way again. David Lukas is an expert naturalist who is well known for his talks, walks, and classes. He is also the author of many books and articles on a wide range of natural history topics, including the books Bay Area Birds and Sierra Nevada Birds. His most recent book, Language Making Nature, is an exploration of tools and ideas for creating new words.
In partnership with:	Caminata Bilingüe con Laguna Foundation y Ag + Open Space sábado, 25 de marzo de 2023. 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm GRATIS. Se requiere inscripción previa. Localización: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead, 6303 CA-12, Santa Rosa, CA Acompáñenos en una caminata dentro de los senderos al lado de la Laguna de Santa Rosa. Este sábado especial, exploramos los animales y las plantas de la Laguna de Santa Rosa, disfrutaremos del hermoso espacio abierto y buscaremos señales de aves y otros animales de la temporada. Venga a aprender sobre la Laguna, su importancia en la retención de aguas pluviales, y aprenda a identificar algunas de las plantas asociadas con esta área del condado. Nuestro Especialista de campo, Carlos Barragan, le encanta enseñarle a la comunidad de la Laguna usando actividades divertidas para todas las edades. No hay cargo por esta salida, que es posible gracias a los votantes del condado de Sonoma que financian el trabajo de Ag + Open Space con un impuesto sobre las ventas de un cuarto de centavo. Bilingual Walk with Laguna Foundation and Ag + Open Space Saturday, March 25, 2023. 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm FREE. Pre-registration is required. Location: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead, 6303 CA-12, Santa Rosa, CA Join us for a nature walk with learning and fun for the whole family. On this special Saturday we will explore the Laguna de Santa Rosa trail, enjoy the beautiful open space, and look for signs of nesting birds and other delights of the season. Come learn about the Laguna, its important role in holding stormwater, and how to identify some of the plants in the waterway. Our Environmental Educator, Carlos Barragan, will have fun activities for all ages. There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.

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April
In partnership with:	Laguna Watershed Perspectives: Fairfield Osborn Preserve Hike Sunday, April 2, 2023. 10:00 am – 12:30 pm FREE. Pre-registration Required. Details will be sent upon registration. SOLD OUT - Please join the waitlist The Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed stretches 220 square miles and covers areas from Windsor to Cotati, and it all starts somewhere. At this event, our perspective of our watershed will be shifted as we go to the highlands. Join Laguna Foundation staff and SSU naturalists Suzanne DeCoursey (Center for Environmental Inquiry Education Manager) and Christine Anderson (CEI Naturalist and SSU Geology Student) as we explore the Sonoma County volcanics and how the movement of rock and soil down Sonoma Mountain impacts Copeland Creek, Rohnert Park, and the Laguna de Santa Rosa. From the course of Copeland Creek to vegetation types and herpetofauna populations, we will see how geomorphologic changes affect the plants and animals on Sonoma Mountain. This hike will be roughly one mile on a single track with a steep 300-foot elevation gain. Please come well prepared with proper footwear, clothes, and plenty of water. PLEASE NOTE: All in-person outings follow current Sonoma County health orders and guidelines for group activities to keep everyone safe during COVID-19. Please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend so we can offer a spot to someone on the waitlist. Heavy smoke, excessive heat, or heavy rain cancels. There is no charge for this event, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of  Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
	Evolve Mourning: A Reading and Discussion with Authors Trebbe Johnson and Francis Weller Tuesday, April 4, 2023. 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Sliding Scale: $10, $15, or $20. Pre-registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA When grief and anxiety beat us down, the struggle to cope can feel like it’s crushing us even more. In her new book, Fierce Consciousness: Surviving the Sorrows of Earth and Self, Trebbe Johnson reveals 34 practices that are smart, tough, sassy, and surprising that offer guidance not only for surviving challenges to our personal lives and our ailing planet, but also engaging with them in ways that give new meaning and beauty to daily experience. Join us this evening to hear a reading from Trebbe Johnson’s new book. Afterward, she and Francis Weller, author of the The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief, will engage in a discussion of grief and beauty, especially as these emotions affect our love of place. Trebbe Johnson is the author offour previous books, including Radical Joy for Hard Times: Finding Meaning and Making Beauty in Earth’s Broken Places, as well as many articles and essays that explore the human bond with nature. She speaks four languages; has camped alone in the Arctic wilderness; and worked as an artist’s model, a street sweeper in an English village, and an award-winning multimedia producer. Francis Weller is a psychiatrist, writer, and soul activist whose books and workshops have introduced the healing work of grief and ritual to thousands of people. He founded and directs WisdomBridge, an organization offering educational programs that seek to integrate the wisdom from indigenous cultures with the insights and knowledge gathered from western poetic, psychological, and spiritual traditions. www.francisweller.net
In partnership with:	Spring Birding Walk with I'm Birding Right Now and Ag + Open Space Saturday, April 8, 2023 8:30 am – 11:30 am Sliding Scale: $10, $15, or $20. Pre-registration Required. SOLD OUT - Please join the waitlist Location: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead, 6303 CA-12, Santa Rosa, CA Come out and enjoy the spring birding season at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail with Teresa & Miles Tuffli. With spring comes an increase in noticeable bird activity as many birds begin to sing and pair up for their breeding cycle. We’ll slowly meander along the mostly flat trail, winding through open oak savannah, grasslands, riparian woodlands, and marshes. All experience levels are welcome. Beginners are encouraged - don't be shy if you've never birded before, that's what we're here for! We’ll start with a tutorial on using binoculars and an introductory discussion about birding. As we explore the area, stopping frequently to enjoy the birds we encounter, we’ll discuss a variety of topics, such as: techniques for locating birds, what sorts of details to notice when observing a bird, species identification, bird vocalizations, and bird behavior and habitats. NOTE: Though we’ll be walking slowly, for those with mobility issues, please be aware that we will be on unpaved trails and some slight inclines. Depending on recent rainfall, the trail may be muddy. We’ll meet at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead parking lot on the Highway 12 side (NOT the Occidental Road side), located at 6303 CA-12, Sebastopol, CA, 95472. Instructor Bio: Miles and Teresa Tuffli are avid birders from Sonoma County. They especially love helping fellow nature-lovers and “bird-curious” folks take the next step of getting into the field to enjoy the bird world! They’ve led guided bird walks for the Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival, LandPaths, Marin Audubon Society, and Point Reyes National Seashore Association’s Field Institute. Learn more about them at their website: I’m Birding Right Now. Please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend so we can offer a spot to someone on the waitlist. Heavy rain cancels. There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of  Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
In partnership with:	Spring Birding Walk with I'm Birding Right Now and Ag + Open Space Saturday, April 15, 2023. 8:30 am – 11:30 am Sliding Scale: $10, $15, or $20. Pre-registration Required. SOLD OUT - Please join the waitlist Location: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead, 6303 CA-12, Santa Rosa, CA Come out and enjoy the spring birding season at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail with Teresa & Miles Tuffli. With spring comes an increase in noticeable bird activity as many birds begin to sing and pair up for their breeding cycle. We’ll slowly meander along the mostly flat trail, winding through open oak savannah, grasslands, riparian woodlands, and marshes. All experience levels are welcome. Beginners are encouraged - don't be shy if you've never birded before, that's what we're here for! We’ll start with a tutorial on using binoculars and an introductory discussion about birding. As we explore the area, stopping frequently to enjoy the birds we encounter, we’ll discuss a variety of topics, such as: techniques for locating birds, what sorts of details to notice when observing a bird, species identification, bird vocalizations, and bird behavior and habitats. NOTE: Though we’ll be walking slowly, for those with mobility issues, please be aware that we will be on unpaved trails and some slight inclines. Depending on recent rainfall, the trail may be muddy. We’ll meet at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead parking lot on the Highway 12 side (NOT the Occidental Road side), located at 6303 CA-12, Sebastopol, CA, 95472. Instructor Bio: Miles and Teresa Tuffli are avid birders from Sonoma County. They especially love helping fellow nature-lovers and “bird-curious” folks take the next step of getting into the field to enjoy the bird world! They’ve led guided bird walks for the Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival, LandPaths, Marin Audubon Society, and Point Reyes National Seashore Association’s Field Institute. Learn more about them at their website: I’m Birding Right Now. Please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend so we can offer a spot to someone on the waitlist. Heavy rain cancels. There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of  Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
In partnership with:	Laguna Stewards at Meadowlark Stewardship Day with Laguna Foundation and Ag + Open Space Saturday, April 15, 2023. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm FREE. Pre-registration Required. Location: Meadowlark Field. Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead, 6303 CA-12, Santa Rosa, CA We are going back to Meadowlark Field for the second stewardship day while enjoying the outdoors along the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail. Help us continue to steward this amazing site and go birding and hiking afterwards! Bring a friend! Bring the kids! No experience needed. Tools and training provided. Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Please bring a water bottle, a smile and some elbow grease. Only heavy rain cancels. PLEASE NOTE: Minors must be accompanied by an adult. No experience is necessary; tools and training are provided. We will be walking about three-quarters of a mile off-trail on flat but uneven ground to the project site.  Please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend so we can offer a spot to someone on the waitlist. Heavy rain cancels.  There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of  Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax
	Understanding Bird Songs Online program with David Lukas Friday, April 21, 2023. 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm Donation ($10 – $25). Pre-registration Required. Location: This is an online program via Zoom. The link to join the presentation will be emailed upon registration. In part three of a four-part series of talks on bird biology, naturalist David Lukas will introduce us to the joyful world of bird song. In this talk we will explore how and why birds sing, and how we study bird songs as a way of trying to understand what birds are saying to each other. David Lukas is an expert naturalist who is well known for his talks, walks, and classes. He is also the author of many books and articles on a wide range of natural history topics, including the books Bay Area Birds and Sierra Nevada Birds. His most recent book, Language Making Nature, is an exploration of tools and ideas for creating new words. Visit his website at www.lukasguides.com
	HenHouse Beer Collaboration Release Party Saturday, April 22, 2023. 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Location: HenHouse Brewing Co., 322 Bellview Ave, Santa Rosa, CA HenHouse Brewing Company and Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation are celebrating Earth Day AND the release of "Sonoma Sunshine" on April 22nd! Come join us at HenHouse Brewing Company in Santa Rosa for a fun filled afternoon! HenHouse will be releasing a new collaboration beer with the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.Sonoma Sunshine is a Kolsch style named after the rare vernal pool plant that found only in the Santa Rosa Plain. Coinciding with this beer release, HenHouse will be making a monetary donation to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation. The Laguna Foundation will be tabling at HenHouse, so be sure to stop and say hello while enjoying your beer!
	Earth Day Art Walk: Gallery and Garden Open at the Laguna Environmental Center Saturday, April 22, 2023. 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm FREE. No RSVP needed. Visitors are welcome to bring a lunch and sit at the picnic tables. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Happy Earth Day! Enjoy our current exhibit, "A Laguna Field Guide" by Christopher Reiger, then walk around the native plant demonstration garden. Artist, illustrator, and writer, Christopher Reiger, is exhibiting a selection from his popular Field Guide series in the Heron Hall Gallery and Gift Shop! Each poster on view features the color column of a common or frequently observed bird species in the Laguna de Santa Rosa. The Heron Hall Gallery and Gift Shop at the Laguna Environmental Center exhibits multiple shows per year of nature-themed art. Proceeds benefit the educational and conservation efforts of the Laguna Foundation. The Laguna Environmental Center includes a 2-acre native plant garden with beautiful displays of plants that are found in some of the natural landscapes of Sonoma County. The grounds include picnic tables, a Children’s Playscape with a living willow tunnel, and open space views of the Laguna watershed.
In partnership with:	Native Plant Propagation Workshop With Laguna Foundation and California Native Plant Society, Milo Baker Chapter Saturday, April 29, 2023. 10:00 am – 2:30 pm $125. Pre-registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Have you tried sowing seed or taking cuttings of desired plants and the outcome was not fruitful? Join this hands-on workshop with the Laguna Foundation’s amazing Nursery Manager, Ayla Mills, and master gardener/CNPS Nursery Manager, Betty Young, to discover the secrets of successful propagation. We will provide some background on the science of seed germination and how specific cuttings root. Following the science, we will be teaching you the process and necessary steps to successfully propagate your plants. We will change gears and get our hands dirty and will do pre-germination treatments and sow seed. After lunch we will learn about the different types of cuttings, when different plants root best, and try our hands at preparing and sticking different types of cuttings! At the end of the day each participant will leave with their own container of sown seeds and cuttings. Please wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty, bring water, a hat, and bag lunch. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided. Ayla Mills joined the Laguna Foundation staff in August of 2021. She graduated from Chico State University with an M.S. in biology focused on botany and has over ten years of experience in the habitat restoration field. Before joining the Foundation, Ayla worked at Floral Native Nursery and managed the nursery operations at Central Coast Wilds and the Sonoma Ecology Center’s native plant nursery. She has also worked as a botanical consultant, restoration technician, and teacher. Ayla has participated in California Native Plant Society conferences and Jepson Herbarium workshops and is passionate about conserving California’s native plant diversity. Betty Young finished her B.S. in Plant Science: Nursery Management in 1985 at UC Davis. Starting as Gardener and then Nursery Manager at FILOLI Historic Gardens and later came to Sonoma County to the old Skylark Nursery as Propagation Dept Manager. She later switched to native plant restoration, managing the nursery at Circuit Rider and finally Director of the 6 nurseries in the Golden Gate National Parks. CNPS and the Laguna Foundation partnered in 2017 to build and run a native plant nursery. Betty, upon “retiring,” designed, and with the help of wonderful volunteers, built the nursery from which Ayla grows for the Laguna Foundation Restoration projects. Betty and the volunteers grow 150 different types of native plants for our California Native Plant Society chapter plant sales. Publications:  - The Nursery Manual: The Science and Art of Growing Plant  for Habitat Restoration. 2015 - Sonoma County Native Plant Gardener. CNPS. 2022 PLEASE NOTE: All in-person outings follow current Sonoma County health orders and guidelines for group activities to keep everyone safe during COVID-19. Please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend so we can offer a spot to someone on the waitlist. Heavy smoke, excessive heat, or heavy rain cancels.

 

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May
	The Eco-Friendly Garden Tour Open House and Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 13, 2023. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Plant Sale 10:00 am – 1:00 pm) The Eco-Friendly Garden Tour is FREE, but pre-registration is required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA The annual Eco-Friendly Garden Tour is a self-guided tour in Sonoma and Marin counties, showcasing native landscapes, and the Laguna Environmental Center is one of the 17 gardens featured! While this is a self-guided tour, you must register for the event in order to access garden locations. Stop by the Laguna Environmental Center to check out our 2-acre native plant demonstration garden and our joint native plant sale with the California Native Plant Society Milo Baker Chapter! Shop for spring additions to your garden in our shared nursery then join us in the demonstration garden at 11:00am or 1:00pm for a guided walk about planting and maintaining a native plant garden. It will also be a great opportunity to see the new exhibit in Heron Hall by artist and illustrator Nicole Jones. Please note: The gate will open promptly at 10:00am, please do not come early. No dogs are allowed onsite and we do not allow animals to be left in vehicles, as shady parking spots are not available. If you buy plants, please bring your own box to take them home with you. Thank you!

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For more information, contact Carlos Barragan, Environmental Educator
(707) 527-9277 xt. 110 or by email at Carlos.Barragan@LagunaFoundation.org

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