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.”
Leaders
University staff, faculty and regional experts
Details
Community members are welcome! School teachers and administrators and encouraged to join as a professional development opportunity. We welcome you to become an Osborn Naturalist. Our program is flexible to fit into your busy schedule. (If you are an SSU Undergraduate student, contact Suzanne DeCoursey at decourse@sonoma.edu for information about the Student Naturalist Training Program.)
You can become an Osborn Naturalist by completing all three of the following:
- Attending three or more Naturalist Ed Series events (see list below). All events are located at Sonoma State University’s Fairfield Osborn Preserve in Penngrove. Event topics vary every semester and focus on native species, ecological communities and our connections to the land. SSU faculty and other local experts take you into the field to explore watersheds, adaptations, scientific inquiry and more.
- Attending the “Trail Activities & Planning Visits” event Saturday, February 1 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m). At the “Trail Activities & Planning Visits”, we learn games to play with children to teach key concepts about our connections with nature.
- Leading four or more Friday tours February 14 to March 14 (9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) for 3-5 graders. New naturalists initially team up with experienced naturalists, and then gradually work their way up to co-leading tours with other newly-trained naturalists.
As an Osborn Naturalist, you will be welcomed into a community of volunteers who work on university research projects, attend special naturalist events and hikes, and gain additional access to the Osborn Preserve. Naturalists completing the program receive an “Osborn Naturalist Certificate of Completion.”
Spring 2025 Naturalist Ed Series events:
- Geology of Sonoma Mountain: Saturday, January 25 (1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Amphibians: Sunday, January 26 (10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
- Human Relationships with the Osborn Preserve; Sunday, January 26 (2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Trail Activities & Planning Visits (mandatory): Saturday, February 1 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Coexistence with Native Predators: Sunday, February 2 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- The Amazing Dragonflies of Sonoma County's Hills: Sunday, February 2 (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Additional Information for School Districts:
- This training incorporates Next Generation Science Standards and may qualify as a professional development opportunity for elementary school teachers and/or administrators.
- Leading school tours is optional.
- Materials fee waived.
Logistics
Must be 18 years or older. No experience required.
Events and tours are at SSU’s Fairfield Osborn Preserve, a 15-minute drive from SSU’s main campus. All events occur rain or shine.
The maximum hike will be 3 miles with a 500-foot elevation gain. With advance notice, we can accommodate participants who can hike a minimum of 1 mile with a 300-foot elevation gain.
Directions will be provided in your registration confirmation email. A sink for handwashing, potable water, and restroom are available on site. Please arrive to park in advance of your registered event start time. The preserve gate will be unlocked 20 minutes before the start of each event. You will be asked to sign a liability waiver upon your arrival. No pets or smoking are permitted.
What to Bring
Please bring a backpack, water bottle, snacks for the trail, writing implement, and paper. We recommend layered clothing, covered shoes, a hat, rain gear, and sun and insect protection. We recommend you bring binoculars (if you have them), especially for any animal-related events (e.g., amphibians, birds).
How to Sign Up
See registration link below. Each participant should register separately. The last day to register to become an Osborn Naturalist is Friday, January 31, 2025.
There is a $40 materials fee per person to help offset the cost of the Training Binder, SSU t-shirt, etc. Scholarships are available to waive the materials fee. After your first day of training, a payment link will be sent to your email.
COVID-19 Safety
Do not attend if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you have any symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19. All SSU updated guidelines can be found here.
About the Center
Sonoma State University’s Center for Environmental Inquiry empowers university students to work with community members on the environmental challenges of the North Bay. Our mission is to create an engaged and environmentally ready society, one where all people have the skills to find solutions to the challenges facing our earth. SSU Preserves are open to everyone engaged in education or research. Reservations are required.