A field with grape vines

Sustainability of Sonoma County wineries

2017
Faculty: Gillian Parker
Partners: Sonoma County Winegrowers

These projects review the effects of wine-growing on water and other natural resources. Biodynamic agriculture and other sustainable practices are recommended for reducing environmental impacts. Ethical issues are explored.

Coastal vegetation, with Salmon Creek and the Pacific Ocean in the distance

Evaluation of restoration at Salmon Creek estuary

2017
Faculty: Jackie Guilford, Wendy St. John
Partners:

Cardinale et al 2017: We surveyed vegetation in Salmon Creek to determine the impact of invasive species  affect the ecosystem.

Facility Art

Master Plan for Galbreath Preserve facilities

2011 to 2016
Faculty:
Partners: SSU Facilities and Planning, Bob Johnson Family, School of Social Sciences, School of Science & Technology, School of Arts & Humanities, School of Business & Economics, Jasper Ridge Biological Field Station, Yorkville Community Members, SSU Advancement, Academic Affairs

The Galbreath Preserve is our diamond in the rough - 3,600 acres of diverse and inspirational lands but without the overnight facilities needed for students, faculty and community to fully study human-environment interactions. This architectural plan sets the direction for a suite of zero carbon emission facilities that elicits innovation while at the same time educating all visitors to the preserve.  

Rocky creek bed in forest

Effects of land use on riparian areas

2015 to 2016
Faculty: Steve Estes
Partners: Center for Environmental Inquiry, Mendocino County Resource Conservation District

Changes in land management have had significant effects on riparian areas of the North Coast.

Giant salamander in creek

Comparing salamander abundance in restored and unrestored habitat

2016
Faculty: Martha Shott, Jeremy Qualls, Nathan Rank, Fran Keller, Jackie Guilford, Wendy St. John
Partners: Sugarloaf State Park, Center for Environmental Inquiry

We surveyed for salamanders, and also measured water pH and hardness, and canopy cover.

spear point

Galbreath Cultural Resource Plan

2011 to 2013
Faculty: Adrian Praetzellis
Partners: Center for Environmental Inquiry

The Galbreath Cultural Resource Management Plan provides an overview of the pre-history, ethnography, and history of the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve and its documented archaeological resources. 

Profile of the creek along a transect

Quivira backwater channel survey

2015
Faculty: Jeff Baldwin
Partners: Sonoma County Water Agency

To evaluate whether a backwater channel on constructed in 2012 on Dry Creek provides a refuge for Steelhead and Coho Salmon, a longitudinal profile

Students collecting samples with a soil auger

Sedimentary analysis of a sag pond at Fairfield Osborn Preserve

2014 to present
Faculty: Michelle Goman, John-Scott Forester
Partners: Center for Environmental Inquiry

Sag pond stratigraphy provides information about landslide occurrence, environmental change, and fire history in the upper Copeland Creek watershed.

Student holding cross section of a tree trunk

Dendrochronology, landslides and climate change in the Copeland Creek headwaters

2014
Faculty: Michelle Goman
Partners: Center for Environmental Inquiry, Sonoma County Water Agency

Tree ring analyses at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve provide information about forest stand age and the frequency of landslides and fire.

Osborn Bridge

Osborn Cultural Resources Plan

2013 to 2014
Faculty: Adrian Praetzellis
Partners: Center for Environmental Inquiry

Master's Thesis by Kyle Rabellino identifying cultural sites and conservation guidelines for the Osborn Preserve.

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