Help control this destructive forest pathogen! Now in its 13^th year, this statewide citizen science project is vital to managing Sudden Oak Death, which is widespread in Sonoma county. Join us to contribute to science while getting your own bay laurel or tanoak trees tested at no cost. This is a bilingual event (English and Spanish). Watch recorded event here: Citizen Science: Sudden Oak Death Blitz May 3, 2020

¡Ayuda a controlar este destructivo patógeno del bosque! Ahora en su decimotercer año, este proyecto de ciencia comunitaria en todo el estado es vital para administrar Sudden Oak Death, que está muy extendido en el condado de Sonoma. Únase a nosotros para contribuir a la ciencia y obtener sus propios árboles de laurel o tanoak sin costo alguno Este es un evento bilingue (Inglés y Español). Mira el evento grabado aquí: Citizen Science: Sudden Oak Death Blitz May 3, 2020

Many of California’s oaks are falling victim to the forest disease Sudden Oak Death (SOD). Learn more about this destructive scourge by attending this online training then live Q&A discussion, and taking samples from your own trees in the Anderson Valley for free testing by UC Berkeley. 

What can you do about our changing climate? This presentation will include a brief summary of climate change, with particular emphasis on local changes. We will then transition to what can we personally do to get involved and help with climate change efforts, including contributing data via the free citizen science phone app iSeeChange. Watch recorded event here: Citizen Science: Climate Change and Personal Action May 1, 2020

We are intimately connected with our local mountain. Water runs from its sides to flow through our towns, animals range from our backyards to its grassy slopes, and its broad outline dominates our horizon. Join SSU Osborn Preserve Naturalist Patty Foster as she shares how we are all connected, organically and culturally, with this great prominence. Watch recorded event here: Learn With a Naturalist: Our Connection to Sonoma Mountain April 30, 2020

We often think of the human and the natural as two separate and distinct worlds, and that the "human" always battles with and destroys the "natural." But SSU Cultural Resources graduate student James Peterson will share insights from his historical ecology research, including how our local landscape has been deeply informed by its relationship with human culture. You will never look at a large California bay laurel tree the same again. Watch recorded event here: Deep Dive: Historical Ecology April 28, 2020

Automatic wildlife cameras (called “Camera traps”) have been used heavily by ecologist over the past 30 years to gain a better understanding of wildlife distribution and behavior. You will learn more about camera trap research in the bay area and at SSU preserves (Osborn and Galbreath). Come see amazing videos and photos taken at our preserves, now also available in the Logistics section below. Watch recorded event here: Deep Dive: Camera Traps in Research & Management April 26, 2020

Learn all about the strange and fascinating lives of dragonflies with naturalist and self-described dragonfly-geek, Kevin Munroe. We’ll look at lots of close-up photos, talk about their bizarre behavior and impressive adaptations and most importantly, learn how to find and ID them! We’ll end with tips on attracting and studying them in your neighborhood, including some fun citizen science interactive apps and websites like Odonata Central and Dragonfly ID. Watch recorded event here: Citizen Science: Dragons in Your Neighborhood April 24, 2020

We are familiar with the benefits of the natural world for the human species: the environment purifies our air, cleans our water, and provides us everything we need to live. But did you know that going outside benefits us just as much as individuals? We review the literature about how experiencing nature can improve our learning, provide us with mental and physical health benefits, even increase our sense of connection with other people. We will also explore how our local natural environment -- as simple as our backyard, or a window with a view of a tree -- can help us feel calm, refreshed and "rich in time."  Watch recorded event here: Deep Dive: Benefits of the Outdoors April 23, 2020

Several oak researchers and educators will present the latest information on a variety of oak-related topics ranging from oak woodland conservation, to sudden oak death, to oaks and fire, to a new pest of valley oak and blue oak. View prerecorded presentations online, then join our live Q&A session to learn what you can do to help protect our native oak woodlands. Access recorded presentations and Q&A session here: Oak Health Workshop April 21, 2020

Do you want to be better prepared for natural disasters? The FEMA and Firefighter II trainings offer valuable skills to help you deal with current and future environmental and human disasters. With this quick webinar, Ben (a current student of these programs) will take you on a tour of the websites for these trainings. Ben will offer comments on his current experiences with both suites of trainings. Feel empowered to help your community and yourself through these difficult times! Watch recorded event here: Professional Training: Intro to FEMA & Firefighter II Online Programs April 20, 2020