Visitors sometimes refer to SSU’s Fairfield Osborn Preserve as “pristine”, untouched by human hands. In fact, the preserve’s vegetation communities are deeply informed by pre-colonial land management practices, to the point that many of them could be considered “human made” until Europeans arrived with very different land management approaches. We will explore the landscape through a cultural lens, and also learn about brand-new SSU Historical Ecology Research on the Osborn Preserve.

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

A universal theme that emerged from this year’s Building Resilience series is that resilience in all its forms depends on connection and collaboration. We end the 2021-22 series with an outdoor feast designed to help you relax and develop connections that will make our future more resilient. We will serve you a hearty vegetarian lunch in SSU's beautiful Butterfly Garden. We will help you find attendees with common interests and introduce you to the exceptional leaders who served as panelists throughout the year. Make time for your own personal resilience, enjoy a hot meal, and contribute to community resilience.

Take advantage of the healing powers of nature while exploring diverse ecosystems on Sonoma Mountain. SSU Naturalists will lead you on a tour of this university education and research site, and give you insights into the ways we can work together to restore regional landscapes. Activities will be subject to change based on the most recent guidance about COVID safety. 

Less than one third of herpetologists around the world are women and yet two of them are hard at work right here in the North Bay. Join us to learn from them about the important role of these animals in the health of our ecosystem. We will work with them as we go in search of the reptiles and amphibians that live on the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve in southern Mendocino County.  With experience in public education, research, animal care and academia, they will share their knowledge and passion for these fascinating vertebrates. 

Help control this destructive forest pathogen! Now in its 15th year, this statewide citizen science project is vital to managing Sudden Oak Death, which is widespread in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. We are particularly concerned about the possibility of the more virulent EU1 strain of the pathogen infecting tanoaks at Galbreath Preserve. Join us to contribute to science and help the preserve, while getting your own bay laurel or tanoak trees tested at no cost.