Field trip with Sabina Thomas
Arroyo Hondo Creek runs north-to-south while our local geologic formations extend west-to-east. This gives us the great opportunity to cross and study several geologic formations along Arroyo Hondo Creek towards the mountains. We will start at the Orchard and follow Arroyo Hondo Creek encountering steeply inclined hard and soft
Field trip with Peter Schneekloth and John Deacon
Gaviota State Park encompasses coastal, riparian, and upland habitats, and participants on this field trip will be able to observe the birds in these varied environments. More than 250 species have been recorded from the park. With the guidance of seasoned trip leaders Peter Schneekloth and John Deacon, we’ll look for birds in the water, on the shore, and
Free lecture with Zoe Zilz
Co-hosted by Solvang Library
In 2021, UCSB doctoral student Zoe Zilz was shown photos taken along the Gaviota coast by local residents, surprisingly revealing terrestrial wildlife near and in intertidal areas. Intrigued, Zoe set up 40 trail cameras in that area and further west, including Vandenberg Space Force Base and the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve.
Free lecture with Chuck Graham
Co-Hosted by Solvang Library
The 250,000 acres of Carrizo Plain National Monument are quietly spectacular, as they encompass one of the highest concentrations of threatened and endangered species in a California protected space, comprise the largest protected habitat along migrating birds’ Pacific Flyway and, important to both of these, protect the largest remaining
Field trip with Peter Thompson
Experienced Santa Barbara birder Peter Thompson will take us on a wetland birding exploration through the one-time Ocean Meadows golf course, now restored as a true California wetland with easy access. You can stay dry in this ecological gem, but the local wildlife and birds have ready access to mud, sand, marsh, deeper water, and even dry upland areas. This is a bird-rich area
Lecture/Field Trip with Rikke Næsborg
Lichens are found in almost every habitat on all kinds of surfaces around the world, but since they are often small and somewhat inconspicuous, they are frequently overlooked. That is a pity because lichens are extraordinary and complex organisms. Not only are
Annual Members’ Meeting preceding the evening lecture Wednesday, March 6, 6:45 p.m. Immediately preceding Dr. Bell’s Zoom presentation this evening, the Annual Members’ Meeting will
Free Zoom presentation with Dr. Rayna Bell
Reptiles and amphibians are often overlooked as part of our local wildlife, but they are a diverse and fascinating group important to their habitats and vulnerable to climate change. Dr. Rayna Bell of the California Academy of Sciences is an evolutionary biologist whose research on amphibians and reptiles seeks to understand the evolution of their diversity as a key to understanding their vulnerabilities and potential strengths as our natural
Free Zoom presentation and book promotion with Dr. Dan Flores
This Zoom webinar by acclaimed historian and author, Dr. Dan Flores, will focus on his most recent book, Wild New World: The Epic Story of Animals and People in North America. Dr. Flores spoke in-person to the SYVNHS in 2017 after publication of his book, Coyote America. This time, his upcoming Zoom talk will be from his home in New Mexico. Flores will present an overview of Wild New World, explaining what he learned in researching and writing about the big picture of humans and animals