Bring researchers into your classroom and give students a window into the process of scientific inquiry. Join us for an informal chat with researchers studying the effects of increasing wildfire frequency and intensity on natural systems in Arizona, California and Florida. Find out who they are, how they got interested in this field, and the research questions they are asking. Instructor Guide and Event Resources available. 

The California Giant Salamander represents an indicator species in riparian corridors in the Laguna de Santa Rosa (Russian River) Watershed. Salamanders are sensitive to environmental changes; they reflect the health of the environment. Join us to learn about the California Giant Salamander life cycle including the egg, larva, juvenile and adult stages of these amazing amphibians! We will explore their natural breeding and upland habitats as we travel through Osborn Preserve and find out why they have become the top predator in the perennial streams on Sonoma Mountain and beyond.

Curiosity in nature supports a deeper understanding of the natural world. Join us to discover, celebrate and develop the free spirit of nature inquiry on Sonoma Mountain. We will explore Osborn Preserve’s hidden secrets through the process of inquiry. Where are amphibians hiding, what various colors of fungus can be found, what senses can we use to observe plants? Learn how outdoor inquiry can transform your daily life, as well as how it can give children hands-on experience of what they study in school.

New research on the impact of climate change on global ecosystems continues to send our thinking in new directions. One of those sacred principles being challenged is the notion that nativeness is the gold standard in conservation biology. That isn’t necessarily so. Naturalized wild honeybees in remote landscapes are part of novel ecosystems. A Sonoma County nonprofit, Apis Arborea, has begun a seven-year research project on the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve to investigate the life cycles of wild honeybees and their role in a diverse pollinator community. Come visit several bee trees on the preserve with us, and learn about a successful bee-tree-locating technique called beelining. 

Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol

What does resilience to wildfire look like? The inspiring new documentary “Embers of Awakening: From Firestorms to Climate Health” creates a backdrop for a community discussion on how to approach this question. The film reveals personal stories of damage and recovery in Sonoma County and what we can change to create a path towards a safer world. Themes include the uncertainty of fire, increasing community bonds, misinformation, the multiple objectives for vegetation management, accepting fire as a part of our lives, and how to bring about societal change.

Stay with us after the film for a brief moderated panel discussion with regional thought leaders discussing local issues related to fire, resilience, and community action. A new sustainability pledge, which identifies the most impactful and positive personal actions we can take to create a thriving future, will be made available to audience members after the film and panel discussion, and you'll have a chance to win one of three prizes that will help you take the actions in the pledge. 

El cambio climático tiene un impacto profundo y duradero en el medio ambiente y la vida de las personas en todo el mundo. Cada vez más, los países reconocen que la cultura, la conservación y la resiliencia se han convertido en soluciones que trascienden las fronteras, inspirando propuestas innovadoras, preventivas y adaptativas, que en muchos casos provienen de los pueblos indígenas. Sin ellos -los guardianes y cuidadores originales de la tierra- y las acciones locales, la degradación de nuestro planeta será inevitable. ¿Cómo puedes convertirte en un campeón mundial de la naturaleza? Estas y otras preguntas se plantearán y discutirán en esta conversación con líderes comunitarios y expertos de América del Sur y del Norte. Mira el evento grabado aquí: Múltiples rostros de la conservación, 12 de mayo de 2022