. Banner Image by John Cleckler

Workshops for Biologists

For almost two decades, the Laguna Foundation has partnered with herpetologists, Dave Cook and Jeff Alvarez, to bring practical training to professional biologists, resource managers, and students. Our past events include the Rare Pond Species Survey Techniques Workshop, the California Tiger Salamander Terrestrial Ecology Workshop, the Amphibians of the San Francisco Bay Workshop, and the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Workshop. Each year, these popular workshops bring together groups from all over the west coast to learn about the ecology, conservation, and field survey techniques of our local rare pond species.




California tiger salamander
Photo by Jim Maughn

California Tiger Salamander Terrestrial Ecology Workshop
With Dave Cook and Jeff Alvarez
Friday, March 8, 2024. 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
$300. Includes box lunch and transportation to field trip sites.

SOLD OUT. Please join the waitlist.

Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA and field trips in Sonoma County

This workshop is designed to provide practical training to professional biologists, resources managers, and students on the terrestrial ecology, land use management, and regulations of the California tiger salamander (CTS). The lecture session will include a review of the biology, upland habitat use, and migration patterns of CTS, the theory and design of roadway tunnels to facilitate safe passage of migrating salamanders, design of pitfall trap arrays, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved survey protocols, and implementing and monitoring land use management practices. The afternoon will consist of field trips that will provide training and hands-on experience. A pitfall trap and fence array will be constructed by attendees. Three CTS tunnel systems along roadways will be visited and discussed.




California red-legged frog
Photo by Jeff Alvarez

Rare Pond Species Survey Techniques Workshop
With Dave Cook and Jeff Alvarez
Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, 2024
$450. Includes box lunch on 3/9 and transportation to field trip sites.

SOLD OUT. Please join the waitlist.

Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA and field trips in Sonoma County

This workshop is designed to provide practical training on aquatic survey techniques for the California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, and western pond turtle. The range of these three rare and protected species overlap and they often occur in similar pond habitats. The lecture session will include a review of the biology and ecology of these species, identification of life stages, state and federal regulations, and approved survey protocols. The field trip sessions will provide field training in aquatic survey techniques, including dip net sampling for CTS larvae, evening spotlighting for frogs, and turtle visual encounter surveys and trapping.


About the Instructors

Dave Cook and Jeff Alvarez are experts on amphibian and reptile ecology and conservation, conduct herpetological research, and hold state and federal permits for sensitive species.

Refund Policy

Cancellations received more than 30 days in advance of the event date will receive a refund minus a $50.00 processing fee. No refunds will be granted within 30 days of the workshop regardless of the participant's personal or professional emergency. Tickets are transferable within your agency, if needed. As the pandemic continues to shift, we will update participants if Health Orders or if other guidance requires us to cancel this workshop which would allow for a full refund.

Co-Hosts

The Wildlife Project specializes in environmental compliance and technical field surveys, specifically, assisting clients with mitigation development and monitoring, special-status species surveys and habitat evaluations, biological assessments, survey and monitoring technique development, and biological consultation. The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation works to restore and conserve the Laguna de Santa Rosa, and to inspire public appreciation for this Sonoma County Wetland of International Importance.


Questions? Please email Workshops@LagunaFoundation.org.

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