Community Education
Walks, Talks & Classes

AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER

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: 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.

For more information, contact Ashley Carreño, Education Coordinator, at (707) 527-9277 xt. 108 or by email

August
Presented in partnership:	An Evening of Plein Air Painting & Drawing with Erica Warren Thursday, August 8, 2024. 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm FREE. Registration Required. Location: Irwin Creek, 625 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Come explore the Laguna de Santa Rosa with your pencils and brushes! During this special summer evening, participants will take a short walk around Irwin Creek and the dry summer wetlands of the Laguna de Santa Rosa for a journaling and painting session using the medium of their choice. We will introduce the site and build your sense of place to enhance your creativity as you explore light and shadows under the trees during the golden hour, and find special vignettes and vistas to draw from your chosen perspectives. This plein air outing is open to all levels of painters and drawers in water color, oil, acrylic, pastel, pencil. Bring your favorite medium and supplies, plus your close observational skills, imagination and love of color! Erica Warren is a painter and illustrator whose works can be seen in the Educational Center at the SF Zoo and SFPUC South East Community Center, paired with five created and educational native plant ecotones through landscaping. Her work features native plants and animals to Northern California, or generally blooming plants that are captivating in their blooming glory. In her career, Erica coordinates with local municipalities to reach stormwater compliance and works to restore and augment wetland ecosystems. Her favorite moment is painting outside, and she looks forward to meeting you out there! There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who support the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
	Art Walk - Gallery and Garden Open at the Laguna Environmental Center Saturday, August 24, 2024. 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Garden tours at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm. Free! Donations welcome. No RSVP needed. Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA August Art Walk is here Enjoy our current exhibit "The Last Coho” by Kaare Iverson then walk around the native plant demonstration garden. This photography exhibit combines large-scale portraiture of endangered salmon with editorial excerpts that collectively illustrate the incredible effort to rehabilitate Coho in the Russian River Watershed. The Heron Hall Gallery & 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, featuring plants that are important to the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed. The site also has spots to have a picnic, a children’s play area with a living willow tunnel, a bridge over a swale, a pond surrounded by wetland plants, and an observation deck suitable for bird watching, photography, or just enjoying the quiet vistas.

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September
	Opening Reception for New Art Exhibit "Flora of the Laguna" by Colored Pencil Artists Saturday, September 7, 2024. 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Free! Donations welcome. No RSVP necessary. Light refreshments provided. Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Come join us for the grand opening of our new art exhibit "Flora of the Laguna" featuring beautiful botanical art by local artists focusing on the conservation and restoration of native plants of the Laguna. Let’s celebrate the beauty of Laguna flora through detailed and colorful artwork. Don't miss this opportunity to meet the talented artists behind the exhibit and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of botanical art. See you there! Featured Artists: Nina Antze, Janet Barocco, Alice Condit, Mary Ellen Grimes, Cindy Holst, Mary Ellen King, Elisabeth Knisley, Lynne Lyle, Susan Mark Raymond, Kitty Ritz, Ginny Ritama Spencer, and Christina Titus Vale.
	Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day Friday, September 13, 2024. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Share your passion for pollinators by helping our native plant garden thrive! Volunteers are essential in beautifying our site. Activities include planting, weeding, spreading wood chips, and... looking for Monarchs on milkweed! All ages welcome. No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn about native plants. Training and tools will be provided, plus abundant and hearty snacks! Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Only heavy rain cancels.
	Native Plant Gardening in Sonoma County Presentation by Betty Young Saturday, September 14, 2024. 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Sliding Scale. $10 $15 $25. Registration required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join us for a fun and informative presentation by Betty Young on gardening with native plants in Sonoma County! Betty will discuss planning your garden, pre-planting preparation, plant selection, establishment, irrigation or not, and on-going pruning and maintenance. After the talk and questions, we will discuss more details about maintenance with a tour through the Laguna Environmental Center garden. Bring your hat! Betty Young has been managing native plant nurseries for 40 years since graduating from UC Davis. Seventeen of those years were with the Golden Gate National Parks, and the last 10 years as the Nursery Chair for the California Native Plant Society, Milo Baker Chapter. During that time, she has become involved in native plant gardening as a way to expand habitat from our dwindling natural area into our own gardens. She is the author of two books: "Sonoma County Native Plant Gardener" (available in our Gift Shop) and "The Nursery Manual: the Science and Art of Growing Plants for Habitat Restoration."
	Laguna Guides Training 12-hour training course begins Thursday, September 19, 2024. 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm $45. Registration Required. Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join the Laguna de Santa Rosa Education Team - Become a Laguna Guide this Fall! Help the Laguna Foundation community events thrive! We offer a wide range of presentations, outings and workshops all year long to deepen our appreciation for the Laguna de Santa Rosa, connect with nature, and inspire a vibrant community dedicated to lifelong learning. These educational and outreach events are not possible without volunteer support! At each event, Laguna Guides are needed to help with a variety of tasks including: engaging participants and sharing about the Laguna, program set-up of tables and chairs, direct parking, take merchandise sales, clean-up, and help build enthusiasm and appreciation for the Laguna de Santa Rosa, a Wetland of International Importance. Guides not only help support the events, but they have the opportunity to attend those events for free! 2024 Training schedule (12–hour commitment): "Meet the Laguna Watershed" training on Thursday, September 19, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Training inside Great Blue Heron Hall on Saturday, September 21, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Training outside at Irwin Creek on Saturday, September 28, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Lunch is provided.
Presented in Partnership With:	Laguna Stewards at Balletto Field Saturday, September 22, 2024. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration required. Location: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead, 6303 CA-12, Santa Rosa Kick Off the First Stewardship Day of the Season! Join us for this fun and meaningful way to volunteer while enjoying the outdoors along the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail at Balletto Field. Help us continue to steward this amazing site home to vernal pools. 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: All ages are welcome! No experience is necessary; tools and training are provided. 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.

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October
	Fall Color Play: Leaves, Berries, Fruit Colored Pencil Workshop with Nina Antze Saturday, October 5, 2024. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm $60. Registration Required. Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Let’s get together and observe and draw the change of seasons, summer into fall at the Laguna - rose hips, changing leaf color, last flowers and fruits, seed pods, and other first signs of autumn. Working with colored pencils, learn to create interesting color combinations using blending and layering techniques, incorporating the basics of botanical drawing while enjoying the beauty of Heron Hall and the Laguna. You will also have the opportunity to view our new art exhibit, Flora of the Laguna, colored pencil paintings by 9 local botanical artists, including Nina Antze, of the native plants of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed. All levels are welcome. A supply list will be provided. Nina Antze is a Sonoma County botanical artist and quiltmaker. She has a degree in Fine Art from San Francisco State and a Certificate in Botanical Illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. She teaches colored pencil and botanical workshops online and throughout the Bay Area. Her “Shelter in Place Quilt #5” was recently chosen for inclusion in the deYoung Open 23. More info here: http://pcquilt.com/

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November
	Lisa Rogers’ EcoPrint with Leaves Saturday, November 2, 2024. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm $90.00 Registration Required. This class is limited to 10 participants! Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA This workshop will cover different techniques, including tannins and iron and pounding leaf prints on paper, Hapa Zome. We will take a 45 minute lunch break while pieces simmer away. Participants will create their leaf print designs on a pre-mordanted silk piece. It can be used as a scarf, runner or wall hanging. This piece measures approximately 11" X 60”. No materials or experience needed. Workshop fee includes all necessary materials and instruction. Instructor Bio: Lisa Rogers is the creator and owner of SlowDigz. She previously worked as a science and garden educator and began following a creative path with natural dyeing. Lisa learned about ecoprinting, printing leaves on fabric and paper, over a decade ago. She fell in love with the process of obtaining prints from nature, which sparked a fire that led to over a decade of experimentation and research through books, workshops and numerous fails. Leaving full time teaching, this passion became the small business, SlowDigz, Eco Designs, where Lisa shares her passion and love of nature through botanical prints.

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For more information, contact Ashley Carreño, Education Coordinator
(707) 527-9277 xt. 108 or by email