Community Education
Walks, Talks, and Classes
The Laguna Foundation is proud to collaborate with local biologists, artists, educators, naturalists, and partner organizations to offer a wide range of natural and cultural history online programs, presentations, and outings all year long. Whether you’d like to learn a new skill, enjoy the beautiful Laguna scenery, or attend a fun event with your family, the Laguna Foundation has a variety of offerings to deepen your appreciation for the Laguna de Santa Rosa, connect with nature, and inspire a vibrant community dedicated to lifelong learning.
Please note: Heavy smoke, excessive heat, or heavy rain cancels outdoor programs. Lastly, please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend an outing so we can offer a spot to someone on the wait-list.
Select webinar recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.
For more information, contact Ashley Carreño, Education Coordinator, at (707) 527-9277 xt. 108 or by email
November
Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day
Friday, November 8, 9:00am – Noon
FREE. Registration Required.Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Share your passion for pollinators by helping our native plant garden thrive! Volunteers are essential in beautifying our site. Activities include planting, weeding, spreading wood chips, and... looking for Monarchs on milkweed!
No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn about native plants. Training and tools will be provided, plus abundant and hearty snacks! Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Only heavy rain cancels.
Presented in Partnership With:
Fall Birding at Delta Pond
With Teresa and Miles Tuffli
Wednesday, November 13, 8:30 am – Noon
FREE. Registration Required.Meeting Location: Santa Rosa Creek Trailhead near 642 Willowside Rd, Santa Rosa, 95401
Join Teresa and Miles Tuffli for an exciting opportunity to explore the bird-rich location of Delta Pond (typically closed to the public). We’ll walk along Santa Rosa Creek Trail to access the pond entrance, then slowly meander the loop around the large pond. Late fall is a terrific time to visit Delta Pond -- we'll be on the lookout for the high variety of birds who make the area their home for the fall and winter months, including multiple duck species and other water-loving birds.
Please note: We will be covering up to 3-4 miles on foot. Though we’ll be walking slowly, for those with mobility issues, please be aware that we will be on unpaved trails and some slight inclines. Depending on recent rainfall, the trail may be muddy.
There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
This event is FULL. Please join the waitlist.
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Ecology & Conservation Workshop
With Dave Cook and Jeff Alvarez
Friday, November 15, and Saturday, November 16, 2024
$325. Registration required.
Lecture Location: Laguna Environmental Center, Heron Hall, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Field Trip Location: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood, CA 95452This workshop is designed to provide practical knowledge on the life history, ecology, and conservation of the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (FYLF). This frog is listed as either threatened or endangered under the federal and California Endangered Species Acts throughout much of its range.
The Friday morning lecture will review identification of FYLF at all life stages and other similar amphibians, range and distribution, habitat requirements, behavior, survey techniques, conservation needs, and regulations. An accompanying field trip will be held at a nearby creek and known site of FYLF. Aquatic habitat types will be discussed and a demonstration of survey techniques provided.
Instructor Bio: 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.
Schedule:
Friday, November 15
8:00 am - 12:30 pm, Lecture and Lunch at Laguna Environmental Center
1:30 pm - 5:00 pm, Field Trip Session 1* at Sugarloaf Ridge State ParkSaturday, November 16
8:00 am - 11:30 am, Field Trip Session 2* at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
12:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Field Trip Session 3* at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park*The larger lecture group is split into three field trip session groups. Each field trip session will cover the same material. Choose one field trip session to attend when you register. Personal transportation is required. Carpooling is encouraged.
Knotless Netting Bag Workshop
With Charlie Kennard
Saturday, November 23, 2024. 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
$120. Registration Required.Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Join this fun class and learn a new skill! We will first practice processing dogbane sticks to extract the fiber and make sample cordage. Then we will learn the knotless netting technique and begin a small bag using hemp string supplied by the instructor.
Participants must bring scissors, a pocket knife, and their lunch.
Charlie Kennard of San Anselmo is a long-time basket weaver and student of California Indian and other Traditional Basketry techniques. He has taught for the Point Reyes Field Institute, East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden, the Laguna Environmental Center in Santa Rosa and in many schools and at teacher trainings. Tule boats made in his workshops can be seen at the Bay Model in Sausalito, Lake County Museum, and another is in the collection of the Oakland Museum. You can also visit a basketry plant garden Charlie has created at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross. Charlie is active in native habitat restoration in Marin, managing several projects for Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed.
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December
Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day
Friday, December 6, 2024. 9:00 am – Noon
FREE. Registration Required.Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Share your passion for pollinators by helping our native plant garden thrive! Volunteers are essential in beautifying our site. Activities include planting, weeding, spreading wood chips, and... looking for Monarchs on milkweed!
No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn about native plants. Training and tools will be provided, plus abundant and hearty snacks! Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Only heavy rain cancels.
Holiday Open House at the Laguna Environmental Center
Saturday, December 14, 2024. 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Garden tours at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm
FREE. Donations welcome. No RSVP neededLocation: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Enjoy our current exhibit "Flora of the Laguna" featuring botanical illustrations by Sonoma County artists focusing on the conservation and restoration of native plants of the Laguna. Artists will demonstrate their drawing techniques of using colored pencil, ink and watercolor.
Looking for a holiday gift? This art exhibit includes original framed artwork as well as high quality prints and cards. Plus, we have geared up our gift shop inventory for your conservation-inspired shopping needs. We have lots of new books, apparel, bags, and so many other items you will not want to miss out on.
Presented in Partnership With:
Laguna Stewards at Sam Jones Hall Habitat Preserve
Saturday, December 14, 2024. 9:00 am – Noon
FREE. Registration required.Location: 4020 Finley Ave, Santa Rosa 95407
Join us for Laguna Stewards day, a fun and meaningful way to volunteer while enjoying the outdoors. We will be meeting at Sam Jones Hall to access the adjacent Sam Jones Habitat Preserve, home to a restoration site with beautiful valley oaks and vernal pool habitat! This is a unique opportunity to visit the City of Santa Rosa owned 9 acre preserve which is normally not open to the public. This is a great way to get to know your community while stewarding this amazing site through invasive species control and other habitat management strategies. We have work for everyone, all ages invited so bring a friend or bring the kids!
We suggest wearing long pants, closed toe shoes, and sun protection. Bring a water bottle, a smile, and some elbow grease; we’ll bring the tools, snacks, and fun facts about vernal pools. Only heavy rain cancels.
PLEASE NOTE: All ages are welcome! No experience is necessary; tools and training are provided.
Funding support by the State Coastal Conservancy, through the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access For All Act of 2018 (Proposition 68).
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Día de Laguna Stewards en la reserva de hábitat Sam Jones Hall
Sábado 16 de diciembre de 2024. 9 a.m. – mediodía
GRATIS. Se requiere registro.Ubicación: 4020 Finley Ave, Santa Rosa 95407
Únase a nosotros para el día de Laguna Stewards, una forma divertida y significativa de ser voluntario mientras disfruta del aire libre. Nos reuniremos en Sam Jones Hall para acceder a la adyacente reserva de hábitat, hogar de un sitio de restauración con hermosos robles de los valles y un hábitat de charcas vernales. Esta es una oportunidad única para visitar la reserva de 9 acres. Es propiedad de la ciudad de Santa Rosa que normalmente no está abierta al público. Esta es una excelente manera de conocer a su comunidad mientras atender a este increíble sitio mediante el control de especies invasoras y otras estrategias para atender al hábitat. Tenemos trabajo para todos, invitamos a todas las edades, ¡así que traiga a un amigo o traiga a los niños!
Sugerimos usar pantalones largos, zapatos cerrados y protección solar. Traiga una botella de agua, una sonrisa y un poco de esfuerzo; Traeremos las herramientas, bocadillos y datos curiosos sobre las piscinas primaverales. Solamente cancelamos el día durante lluvias fuertes.
.TENGA EN CUENTA: ¡Todas las edades son bienvenidas! No se necesita experiencia; Se proporcionan herramientas y capacitación.
Apoyo financiero de State Coastal Conservancy, a través de la Ley de Sequía, Agua, Parques, Clima, Protección Costera y Acceso al Aire Libre para Todos de California de 2018 (Proposición 68).
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January 2025
"Afternoon on Taylor Mountain"
Opening Reception for New Art Exhibit: "Sonoma Impressions"
Impressionistic Oil Paintings by Lenona Winter
Saturday, January 11, 2025. 3:00 – 5:00pm
FREE. Donations welcome. No RSVP neededLocation: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Join us for the opening reception of our new art exhibit, "Sonoma Impressions” featuring oil paintings by Lenona Winter. The event will be held in the Heron Hall Gallery & Gift Shop at the Laguna Environmental Center. Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of Lenona Winter's stunning artwork. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Sonoma County through her impressionistic paintings. See you there!
Exhibit Description: This exhibition of impressionistic oil paintings celebrates the breathtaking landscapes of Sonoma County. Scenes of its majestic coastline, golden summer hills, vibrant autumn vineyards, and serene natural vistas will be featured.
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For more information, contact Ashley Carreño, Education Coordinator
(707) 527-9277 xt. 108 or by email
. Banner Image by Gary Hundt
