Community Education
Walks, Talks, and Classes

DECEMBER  •  JANUARY  •  FEBRUARY

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 YouTube channel.

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

December
	Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day Friday, December 6, 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! 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.
	Holiday Open House at the Laguna Environmental Center Saturday, December 14, 2024. 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Garden tours at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm FREE. Donations welcome. No RSVP needed Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Enjoy our current exhibit "Flora of the Laguna" featuring botanical illustrations by Sonoma County artists focusing on the conservation and restoration of native plants of the Laguna. Artists will demonstrate their drawing techniques of using colored pencil, ink and watercolor. Looking for a holiday gift? This art exhibit includes original framed artwork as well as high quality prints and cards. Plus, we have geared up our gift shop inventory for your conservation-inspired shopping needs. We have lots of new books, apparel, bags, and so many other items you will not want to miss out on.
Presented in Partnership With:	Laguna Stewards at Sam Jones Hall Habitat Preserve Saturday, December 14, 2024. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration required. Location: 4020 Finley Ave, Santa Rosa 95407 Join us for Laguna Stewards day, a fun and meaningful way to volunteer while enjoying the outdoors. We will be meeting at Sam Jones Hall to access the adjacent Sam Jones Habitat Preserve, home to a restoration site with beautiful valley oaks and vernal pool habitat! This is a unique opportunity to visit the City of Santa Rosa owned 9 acre preserve which is normally not open to the public. This is a great way to get to know your community while stewarding this amazing site through invasive species control and other habitat management strategies. We have work for everyone, all ages invited so bring a friend or bring the kids! We suggest wearing long pants, closed toe shoes, and sun protection. Bring a water bottle, a smile, and some elbow grease; we’ll bring the tools, snacks, and fun facts about vernal pools. Only heavy rain cancels. PLEASE NOTE: All ages are welcome! No experience is necessary; tools and training are provided. Funding support by the State Coastal Conservancy, through the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68). --- Día de Laguna Stewards en la reserva de hábitat Sam Jones Hall Sábado 16 de diciembre de 2024. 9 a.m. – mediodía GRATIS. Se requiere registro. Ubicación: 4020 Finley Ave, Santa Rosa 95407 Únase a nosotros para el día de Laguna Stewards, una forma divertida y significativa de ser voluntario mientras disfruta del aire libre. Nos reuniremos en Sam Jones Hall para acceder a la adyacente reserva de hábitat, hogar de un sitio de restauración con hermosos robles de los valles y un hábitat de charcas vernales. Esta es una oportunidad única para visitar la reserva de 9 acres. Es propiedad de la ciudad de Santa Rosa que normalmente no está abierta al público. Esta es una excelente manera de conocer a su comunidad mientras atender a este increíble sitio mediante el control de especies invasoras y otras estrategias para atender al hábitat. Tenemos trabajo para todos, invitamos a todas las edades, ¡así que traiga a un amigo o traiga a los niños! Sugerimos usar pantalones largos, zapatos cerrados y protección solar. Traiga una botella de agua, una sonrisa y un poco de esfuerzo; Traeremos las herramientas, bocadillos y datos curiosos sobre las piscinas primaverales. Solamente cancelamos el día durante lluvias fuertes. .TENGA EN CUENTA: ¡Todas las edades son bienvenidas! No se necesita experiencia; Se proporcionan herramientas y capacitación. Apoyo financiero de State Coastal Conservancy, a través de la Ley de Sequía, Agua, Parques, Clima, Protección Costera y Acceso al Aire Libre para Todos de California de 2018 (Proposición 68).

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January 2025
"Afternoon on Taylor Mountain"	Opening Reception for New Art Exhibit: "Sonoma Impressions" Impressionistic Oil Paintings by Lenona Winter Saturday, January 11, 2025. 3:00 – 5:00pm FREE. Donations welcome. No RSVP needed Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join us for the opening reception of our new art exhibit, "Sonoma Impressions” featuring oil paintings by Lenona Winter. The event will be held in the Heron Hall Gallery & Gift Shop at the Laguna Environmental Center. Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of Lenona Winter's stunning artwork. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Sonoma County through her impressionistic paintings. See you there! Exhibit Description: This exhibition of impressionistic oil paintings celebrates the breathtaking landscapes of Sonoma County. Scenes of its majestic coastline, golden summer hills, vibrant autumn vineyards, and serene natural vistas will be featured.
	Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day Friday, January 17, 2025. 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, pruning, and spreading wood chips. 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.
	The Underwater World of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Presentation with Jennifer Stock, Media Liaison and Education Specialist for NOAA Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Friday, January 24, 2025. 6:00 – 7:30pm Sliding Scale: $10 – $15. Registration required Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is entirely offshore. Within its 1,286 square miles, the sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep sea canyons, and communities of wildlife throughout. Its surface waters are feeding areas for local and migratory seabirds and marine mammals. During this engaging evening, we will learn about the history of National Marine Sanctuaries and hear ecosystem stories of Cordell Bank with pictures and video focused on who lives there, species of special concern, regional climate impacts and what is being done to help mitigate them, and much more. Special Add-on: Optional Virtual Reality Experience: Dive on Cordell Bank! 5:00 – 5:45 pm or 7:45 – 8:30 pm Sliding scale: $15 – $25. Registration required. Put on a VR headset and explore Cordell Bank without getting wet! Experience a 360 degree view while being virtually immersed in this beautiful underwater environment that is right off the Sonoma Coast. Discover colorful corals and anemones, rockfish, jellies, ocean sunfish, and more. The virtual experience is approx. 10 minutes. Arrive anytime between 5:00-5:30 pm (pre-presentation time block) or stay after the presentation for the 7:45-8:30 pm (after-presentation time block). Engaging educational displays will be available to explore, too! Jennifer Stock is the Media Liaison and Education Specialist for NOAA Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. She has led education and outreach for Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary for over 20 years bringing this offshore underwater wonder to us through exhibits, multimedia experiences, curriculum, education programming, and live expeditions. She has seen the bank up close through a submersible, led wildlife watching trips offshore, participated in underwater exploration expeditions and enjoys showing off this wondrous underwater jewel to increase awe and appreciation of our ocean and National Marine Sanctuaries. Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is managed along with Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary under NOAA. Also joining us this evening: Justin Holl is an Education & Outreach Specialist for NOAA’s Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. He manages the sanctuary Visitor Center at Crissy Field in San Francisco, and teaches marine science for schools and communities throughout the Bay Area. Janai Southworth is a Naturalist with the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Board President of the San Francisco Microscopical Society, and a plankton enthusiast.

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February 2025
	Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day Friday, February 17, 2025. 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, pruning, and spreading wood chips. 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.

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