Halloween-Inspired Public Hike for Kids & Parents
Fairfield Osborn Preserve
Fri, Oct 31, 10:00 am
– 2:00 pm
Home-schooled children are welcome to join a special naturalist-led Halloween-inspired hike to explore for spiders, scorpions, snakes, evidence of bats and more at Fairfield Osborn Preserve!
Open to all kids through age 17 and their parents/guardians. Children must be carried or able to walk 0.5-miles on rocky dirt trails with 100 feet elevation gain/loss. Our school program is typically best for the "elementary school" age range, but all ages are welcome.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
COST: $3/child; adults are not charged. Payment instructions will be provided when you register.
Leaders
SSU Student and Community Naturalists
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.
Details
We will meet in the Osborn Preserve parking lot. Trail groups leave promptly at 10 A.M. The gate into the parking lot will only be open 9:40-10:20am. We will explore different areas of the preserve to find scorpions, snakes, spiders and more, as you learn nature observation skills. Groups will break for lunch on the trail, and return to the parking lot at the end of the hike by 2 P.M.
Logistics
These hikes are family-friendly and open to all kids accompanied by their parents. Expect to hike at least 0.5-miles with 100 foot elevation gain, and some groups may hike up to 3.5 miles with 500 feet elevation gain, adaptable to participants' abilities. Tours are adapted to the interests of participants, and governed by current environmental conditions.
- Fairfield Osborn Preserve is a 15-minute drive from Sonoma State's main campus, on Lichau Road in Penngrove. Driving directions will be provided in your registration confirmation and email & can be found at this link.
- Parking is limited so please consider carpooling, and park close together. Let us know if you plan to carpool so we can open more registration spots accordingly.
- The preserve gate will be unlocked 20-minutes prior to the start time of the event. The preserve gate will be locked 20-minutes after the start of the event time. It is not possible to join the event late or to leave the event early.
- We will meet outside at the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Learning Center, which is across the footbridge on the east side of the parking lot.
- A restroom, sink for hand-washing and potable water are available on site.
- Participants must sign a waiver upon arrival. All minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian for the entire event.
- Pets and smoking are not permitted.
- No strollers are permitted due to narrow, rocky, unpaved trails.
- These are rain or shine events.
- No previous experience or knowledge is required to participate.
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.
What to Bring
Please bring a backpack, sun and insect protection, rain gear, a water bottle, a bag lunch, and shoes to hike in. Layered clothing and long pants are recommended. Walking sticks might be helpful or a child-carrier if you use these tools.
How to Sign Up
Register using the link above!
Please contact Education Manager, Suzanne DeCoursey at [email protected] with questions.
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.