Previous Programs

A close-up photo of a Western Snowy Plover sitting on the beach with an egg under it and a plover chick next to it.

Plovers at the Point: Walking Coal Oil Point Reserve

Rescheduled to Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Field Trip with Dr. Cristina Sandoval
Coal Oil Point Reserve, UCSB
The Western Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus nivosus) is found along the Pacific coast of North America, Mexico, and in some interior western states. We will meet with Dr. Cristina Sandoval at the Coal Oil Point Reserve Nature Center and tour the reserve, discussing the ongoing conservation and

Tracking Tarantulas at Sedgwick ReserveThursday, October 16, 2025

Field trip with Marion Schlinger and Nikki Evans
Fall is mating season for tarantulas here in the Santa Ynez Valley, and it is the best time to observe these amazing spiders. Join Marion and Nikki as we unravel the mystery of the tarantulas (Aphonopelma ssp.) that wander about our roads, yards, and fields. Of the ten species of tarantula in California, at least three are located at Sedgwick Reserve.

Rincon Creek to the Ventura River: Slip sliding away!Saturday, November 1, 2025

Field trip with Larry Ballard and Sabina Thomas
The Santa Ynez Mountains are the western-most range within the Transverse Ranges, and they dominate the skyline for the 60 miles of coast between Point Conception and Rincon Creek. At Rincon, however, there is an abrupt change in the topography which extends 12 miles down the coast. It is this section that will be the focus of our nontechnical field trip to examine a unique landscape, ranging from Rincon Creek to the Ventura River and back.

Rocking on Rocks! An Introductory Workshop

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Workshop with Dr. Sabina Thomas
Santa Barbara City College campus
Have you been curious about rocks? Do you realize that rocks can tell a story? How does one distinguish one rock from another, and what is the difference between rocks and minerals? Sabina Thomas, PhD, and a faculty member at local community colleges, will conduct an Introduction to Rocks class at Santa Barbara City College’s earth science labs. You will be learning about the different rock families, conduct some simple but helpful tests to

Return Visit to the Magnificent Trees of UCSB

Sunday, December 28, 2025

Field trip with Larry Ballard
The UCSB campus boasts more than 250 tree species from six continents, including several rare or unusual trees not found elsewhere in the Santa Barbara area. Due to popular demand, we are again offering a walking tour to introduce the magnificent trees at UCSB with Larry Ballard. He will be sharing some species not seen on previous trips, and we’ll also revisit some favorite specimen

Map Reading and the Story of the Dibblee Geologic Maps

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Free workshop with Susie Bartz and Sabina Thomas Geologic maps are fun, colorful, and informative. One of the most famous geologic mappers anywhere — Thomas

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

Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society

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