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 them, and learning more about them can be an entry point into nature and an antidote to the stresses of modern-day life.”

Join Dr. Ritter for a visually rich and inspiring celebration of the state’s iconic native flora. From the towering redwoods of the northern coast to the otherworldly Joshua trees of the desert, he will take you on a journey through the state’s diverse landscapes, highlighting the remarkable variety of tree species that call California home. With his striking photography, humor, and botanical insight, Dr. Ritter will share the natural history of California’s largest and most storied organisms. A book signing will follow the presentation, giving the in-person audience an opportunity to purchase his book.

Dr. Ritter received an undergraduate degree in microbiology from UC Santa Barbara before he completed his doctoral studies in plant biology from UC San Diego. He has been a professor at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo since 2002, and he has lectured to Society members twice before. In 2011, he introduced his book, A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us, and in 2018, he covered California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora. Dr. Ritter does not limit himself to nonfiction, he has also produced an award-winning children’s book, Something Wonderful, about a tropical rainforest fig tree, and a climate change novel, Rainwalkers.

How to View the Presentation Recording

View the lecture recording at this link: California’s Native Trees
Event date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Live lecture location: The courtroom adjacent to Solvang Library at 1745 Mission Drive (CA 246).

A book signing followed the presentation.