Stopping the Buzzz: Novel approaches to pest control:
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Free live lecture and Zoom webinar with Dr. Craig Montell
The itch from a mosquito bite is the least of the problems those insects can cause. Not all mosquito species spread diseases; however, a particular mosquito (Aedes aegypti) can carry the viruses that cause
Spring Equinox Yoga/Nature AwakeningThursday, March 20, 2025
Field trip/Outing with Laurie Burnaby and Marion Schlinger
Join Marion and Laurie for an experience of awe and wonder. Awe deactivates the part of our brain that is always thinking about ourselves. It opens us to things that are bigger than ourselves. The benefits are slowing down, strengthening our immunity, and regulating our nervous system. As we walk,
Beauty in the Burn: Fire Ecology at Sedgwick ReserveSaturday, April 5, 2025
Field Trip with Bryant Baker, Co-sponsored by UC Sedgwick Reserve
Join us for a unique opportunity to experience a land recovering from wildfire alongside a local expert on post-fire regrowth, Bryant Baker, Director of Conservation and Research for Los Padres ForestWatch. This hike will take us into the heart of Sedgwick Reserve, which was burned in the July 2024 Lake Fire. Bryant will teach us about the
Spring Birding Along Quiota CreekSaturday, April 19, 2025
Field trip with Rebecca Coulter
Rebecca will share a favorite location for birders on this field trip. We will wander along Refugio Road as it follows Quiota Creek, which is always a joy of spring birding in the Santa Ynez Valley. We will spend a couple of hours along this quiet stretch of road, looking for and listening to the signs of migrants as they arrive on breeding grounds or stop over
Wildflowers of the Lake Fire Burn Zone at Midland:
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Pop-up Field trip with Margie Popper and John Evarts
Join us for a moderately strenuous 4-mile hike to appreciate wildflowers and plant recovery in the 2024 Lake Fire burn zone along the trails at Midland School. Many annuals and some perennials in the burn zone have responded with vigorous regrowth and Midland offers some excellent displays of spring wildflowers. The late start to the 2024-
Underwater Photography of the Northern Channel Islands:
A Marine Biosphere Tour
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Free live and Zoom presentation and book signing with Richard Salas
The marine waters of our Northern Channel Islands support more than 5000 species of plants and animals. This stunning biodiversity is made possible by a complex environment of rocky intertidals, underwater
Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society to Celebrate
its 25th Anniversary:
Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Sedgwick Reserve
Join us on Saturday, June 21, at the beautiful UC Sedgwick Reserve from 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. for a variety of nature-themed walks, tours, and outdoor activities for all ages. This free event is open to the public but requires advance registration. See how to register, below. One of the premier locations for natural […]
California’s Native Trees: A new field guide
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Free live and Zoom presentation and book signing with Dr. Matt Ritter Co-sponsored by the Solvang Library See below for the presentation recording. Dr. Matt Ritter will speak about his latest book, California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species, which he co-authored with Michael Kauffmann. The authors believe that “Connecting with trees, identifying […]