Collection tour with Jonathan Hoffman, PhD and Robert Harbaugh

Co-sponsored by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Since the 2017 arrival of Jonathan M. Hoffman, PhD, as the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Dibblee Curator of Earth Science, the Museum has been upgrading its collections of vertebrate fossils, rocks, and minerals. A multi-year effort to modernize the collections will include a refresh of the Earth Sciences Hall in 2027, making this fall an opportune time to appreciate the Earth Science specimens.

The tour will be guided by Dr. Hoffman and docent Bob Harbaugh. The tour participants will be split into two groups to provide a more intimate learning experience. There will be two alternating 50-minute tours for each group, which will focus on the extant displays of minerals, rocks, and fossils. We’ll also view the collections held in storage, many of which are of equal quality to the displays accessible to the public.

Bob Harbaugh and his family have a long affiliation with the Museum. After retiring from his medical practice, he felt committed to learning more about our local natural history, especially geology. He has been an active volunteer supporting Jonathan Hoffman in modernizing the collections for several years.

Dr. Jonathan Hoffman oversees paleontological resource management across the greater Santa Barbara region. He works collaboratively with public agencies to develop the Museum’s Earth Science Collection and repository, documenting its geological and fossil history. His research explores the paleoecology and taxonomy of extinct mammals, including the Channel Islands pygmy mammoth and Santa Rosa Island dugong (a sea cow).

How to Register

Event Date: Tuesday, October 20, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Participation is limited to 25.
Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on September 20 for members and October 1 for nonmembers at syvnhs@syvnature.org or 805/693-5683.
Members $15 / Nonmembers $30 / Children $5
Directions and meet-up location will be emailed to registered participants.