Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society

Dedicated to the study, exploration, and appreciation of natural history
in the Santa Ynez Valley region.

Cowboy Meditations

Film premiere Cowboy Meditations
Gary Milliken photo

Trees of UCSB

Strawberry snowball tree
John Evarts photo

Island fox

Island fox pup
Sue Pollock photo

Pistol Club Trail at Sedgwick

Pistol Club Trail at Sedgwick
John Evarts photo

Poppies and cream cups

Poppies and cream cups
John Evarts 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

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

Summer/Fall 2026 Programs

Winter/Spring 2026 Programs

Welcome! We are finalizing our Summer/Fall 2026 programs, and they will be posted in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, view our most recent programs below.

Programs Coming Right Up

Programs of the last Fall 2025 Season

All Programs of the Winter/Spring 2026 Season

Carpinteria Tar Pits

Sunday, February 1, 2026

The Once and Future King of the Skies: An Eco-Historical Overview of the California Condor

February 19, 2026

California’s Wild Waterpark: A Haven for Amphibians

Friday, February 27, 2026

Protecting Santa Cruz Island

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Wildflowers and Plant Life Along the Pistol Club Trail at Sedgwick Reserve

Saturday, March 21, 2026

The Place for Fire: Poetry and Policy on California’s Central Coast

Friday, March 27, 2026

Fire Ecology Hike to the Summit of Figueroa Mountain

Saturday, April 18

Flier with the sillouette of a man riding a horse illuminated by a full moon

Film Premiere: Cowboy Meditations
An award-winning documentary

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

The ABCs of California’s Native Bees

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

UCSB Trees

Thursday, June 18, 2026

~ 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.

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