Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society

Dedicated to the study, exploration, and appreciation of natural history
in the Santa Ynez Valley region.
Poppies and cream cups
Poppies and cream cups
John Evarts photo
Island fox
Island fox pup
Sue Pollock photo
Pistol Club Trail at Sedgwick
Pistol Club Trail at Sedgwick
John Evarts photo
Cowboy Meditations
Film premiere Cowboy Meditations
Gary Milliken photo
micro digger bees
All-white micro digger bees
Krystle Hickman photo
Poppies and sky lupine
Poppies and sky lupine
John Evarts photo
Condor
California condor
Chris Trent photo
Trees of UCSB
Strawberry snowball tree
John Evarts photo
Anniversary cake
25th Anniversary cake
John Evarts photo
Board photo
SYVNHS board at the 25th Anniversary party
Carey McKinnon photo
Hike group at 25th celebration
“Oak Tree Natural History” hike, 25th Anniversary celebration
John Evarts photo

Fall 2025 Programs


Winter/Spring 2026 Programs

Work in progress!
We are still adding programs

In the meantime, view all past programs either by clicking the Past Programs buttons below, or click Programs in the menu bar.

Programs Coming Right Up

The ABCs of California’s Native Bees

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Free live lecture, Zoom webinar, and book-signing with Krystle Hickman
Co-sponsored by Solvang Library
Join National Geographic Explorer and community scientist Krystle Hickman for a presentation about her studies of California’s native bees, which culminated in her new book, The ABCs of California’s Native Bees. California is home to one of the most biodiverse bee populations in the world with over 1,600 species of native bees throughout the state. A committed conservationist,

Read More »

UCSB Trees

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Field trip with Larry Ballard
UCSB campus
Due to popular demand, we are once again offering a walking tour with Larry Ballard to visit a varied selection of trees on the campus of UCSB. With more than 250 species from six continents, UCSB is among the best locations in California to see both common and unusual trees in an urban landscape. The campus grounds also contain several rare or unusual trees

Read More »
Programs of the last Fall 2025 Season
All Programs of the Winter/Spring 2026 Season
View Past Field Trips
View Past Lectures
View Past Programs

Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society

~ Celebrating our 25th Year ~

Read a brief history of our founding: Launching the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society

View a retrospecitve slide show: SYVNHS field trips and workshops 2006 – 2025

View photos of our anniversary celebration.
Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society logo showing a black and white line drawing of a magpie and oak leaf with mountains and a river in the background

The Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society is a member-supported nonprofit organization providing environmental education through free or low-fee public lectures, field trips, and workshops in the Santa Ynez Valley region. We believe that experiencing and understanding the natural world leads to greater appreciation, knowledge, and conservation of biodiversity.

Become a Member

The Natural History Society is almost entirely funded by membership dues. By joining, you help support natural history education and awareness of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Join or Donate Today