Beyond the Lawn
SSU Native Plant Garden & Creek Corridor
Sat, May 2, 10:00 am
– 12:00 pm
Admission Fees: none
Don't let drought, muddy lawns, and crumbling creek beds cramp your style! Tour the Native Plant Garden, Copeland Creek corridor, and see the new bioswale at the Agroecology Garden at SSU. Learn tips for native and low-water landscaping for your own home from two forward-thinking SSU students working on projects with the Center for Environmental Inquiry and Plant Futures Club. Explore options for replacing your lawn with native plants to create habitat corridors and prevent erosion, reduce water use and deal with puddling, and support local ecosystems while decreasing maintenance needs.
Participants will watch a planting demo then have the opportunity to take home a free native bunchgrass ready to plant! Light refreshments provided.
This event is part of The City of Cotati and City of Rohnert Park's Eco-Wise Workshop Series, designed to inspire sustainability for everyday life. Through interactive activities, local expertise, and community-driven solutions, the Eco-Wise Workshop Series brings residents together to explore simple steps that make a big environmental impact. Check out other offerings each month from February through October 2026.
Leaders
- AJ Staal, Plant Future Club Co-Lead, former CEI Land Steward, Biology Major at SSU
- Julien Johnston, CEI Creek Technician Team Lead, Biology Major at SSU
Logistics
This event is free of charge!
We will meet at the Butterfly Garden (within the Native Plant Garden) on the Sonoma State University main campus. This is located on the northeast side of campus, along the Copeland Creek Trail. We recommend parking in lot G (click here then select "Sonoma State" to purchase a Daily Parking Permit in advance), or traveling by bicycle or public transportation.
From there, we will walk less than a mile along the creek trail, stopping to look at sites where native plants have been effective in managing erosion, and stopping at the Agroecology Garden where a new bioswale will have just been installed. The maximum distance will be 1 mile on relatively flat, unpaved ground.
Participants must sign a waiver upon arrival. All minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian. No previous experience or knowledge is required to participate. Smoking and tobacco products are not permitted on the SSU campus. Restrooms are available on site. This is a rain or shine event, but storm may cancel.
What to Bring
Please bring sun, light rain, and insect protection as needed, a water bottle, and footwear for walking in gardens and dirt paths. Long pants for sitting on tree stump benches and possibly the ground are recommended.
There is a restroom and potable water available at various places across campus.
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.