How does creativity help us gain geographic literacy? In this 2.5 hour workshop, the staff of Zaum magazine invites you to explore this question. We will begin with a 45-minute lecture by poet, naturalist, and best-selling author of the California Field Atlas, Obi Kaufmann. Following Obi’s lecture, attendees venture out on a nature walk at dusk to gather inspiration before returning to the field station’s classroom to draft a creative record of the Fairfield-Osborn Preserve of their very own! 

University students and community docents will be your guide. Our guides are trained in natural history of the mountain and interpretation of preserve programs. They will lead you on one of many trails into this 450-acre preserve on the shoulder of Sonoma Mountain. Hike options include visits to the headwaters of Copeland Creek and spectacular vistas of the Santa Rosa Valley and Valley of the Moon.

Wild fungi give us a window into the health of our ecosystems, play a vital role in plant growth and communication, and can remove heavy metals from soil and water. For the sixth consecutive year, students and the community will comb the hills of the Galbreath Preserve to collect and record as many fungal species as possible. Join us to build identification and sustainable harvesting skills while adding to our research database. A sister event takes place at Osborn Preserve December 8th.

Mountain lions are top carnivores playing an important role in our North Bay ecosystems, yet they live a fragile existence, moving through a mosaic of public and private lands. The Living with Lions Project, a partnership between Audubon Canyon Ranch and True Wild, is studying our region’s mountain lions to identify priority habitats and key wildlife corridors and to promote ecosystem and wildlife conservation throughout our region

See them up close on wildlife camera footage taken at SSU’s Galbreath Wildlands Preserve in Mendocino County as you increase your understanding of these majestic hunters and learn how you can help protect their habitat and their very existence.

How can we enjoy recreating in nature when we know that our presence could make a negative impact? Be mindful to Leave No Trace (LNT)! Learning how to practice LNT makes our communities and outdoor spaces healthier, is something we can all do when we interact with nature, and is a powerful skill we can pass down to the next generation. The "7 Principles" of LNT provide an easily understood framework for anyone visiting the outdoors. If interest is large enough, we may hold an official LNT Trainer Certification course for students, the campus community, and the public! So join us to learn minimum impact skills and ethics while having a great time on Sonoma Mountain with like-minded individuals.

Wild fungi give us a window into the health of our ecosystems, play a vital role in plant growth and communication, and can remove heavy metals from soil and water. For the eighth consecutive year, students and the community will traverse the forests and fields of Osborn Preserve to collect and record as many fungal species as possible. Join us and build identification and sustainable harvesting skills while adding to our research database. A sister event is taking place at Galbreath Preserve on December 1st.

Learn how to share nature’s secrets with others while exploring the stunning ecosystems of Sonoma Mountain with university faculty and other experts. This Naturalist Educator Series will give you new insights into the natural history of local species and new ideas for sharing your knowledge with children. Join a community working to eradicate Nature Deficit Disorder in the North Bay! Become an Osborn Naturalist and acquire the skills to get “Environmentally Ready.”