Amphibians are thought to be extremely sensitive to changes in the environment and are particularly adapted to specific aquatic conditions for all or part of their life cycle. Join us during the optimal time of year to learn about these amazing, surprisingly adaptive, animals that include frogs, toads and salamanders! We will explore their natural breeding habitats as we travel to Osborn Preserve’s Copeland Creek, looking for amphibians along the way. You will also learn about SSU amphibian research involving breeding, adult behavior, larval habitat requirements, and habitat-use by a variety of different species.

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 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 5th.

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 11th.

Nature Photography is for everyone! This is an accessible educational outing for people with mobility needs and their caretakers/companions at all photography levels. Learn about the remarkable variety of plants, animals and landscape features at Osborn Preserve in winter, as well as basic-intermediate outdoor photography skills for your smartphone or digital camera. Also experience taking photos of tiny organisms through a microscope. Ages 12 – 100+ welcome. 

Although many insects are diurnal, filling our landscapes with color and activity during the day, most emerge at night. Join us to discover the super antennae and nocturnal symphonies that make these ancient, after-dark arthropods so successful. Soil engineers, efficient predators, seed dispersers; nocturnal insects are vital to California’s biodiversity and perform essential ecosystem services. We’ll listen to the songs of the snowy tree cricket and angle-winged katydid, and learn how to attract fiery searchers, lacewings and tiger moths to your yard for photo-study and citizen science. Watch recorded event here: Insects of the Night, November 28, 2022

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.

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.

Explore a scenic and wild part of SSU’s 3600-acre Galbreath Preserve in southern Mendocino County with a team of students and community members. Be a trailblazer.