Tracking Tarantulas at Sedgwick Reserve:
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Field trip with Marion Schlinger and Nikki Evans
Back by popular demand! It will soon be that time again as fall is mating season for tarantulas here in the Santa Ynez Valley. This is the best time to observe these amazing spiders. Join Marion and Nikki as we unravel the mystery of the tarantulas (Aphonopelma species) that wander about our roads, yards, and fields. Of the ten species of tarantula in California
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.
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 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 […]
Saturday, March 16 Pop-Up: Birding Sedgwick Reserve
Members-Only Field trip with Tim Matthews and Peter Schneekloth
UC Sedgwick Reserve is one of Santa Barbara County’s birding hotspots, with nearly 200 species on record and a consistently high bird diversity. This outing will focus on birding around the Field Station area of the Reserve. Plant habitats such as oak savanna, oak woodland, and coastal sage scrub converge here to support a rich variety of resident and migratory birds, ranging from warblers and woodpeckers to meadowlarks and magpies
Wednesday, April 26 Pop-Up: Wildflowers of the Blueschist Trail at UC Sedgwick Reserve
“Pop-up” Field Trip with Margie Popper, John Evarts, and other special guests Wednesday, April 26, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Good physical condition and good balance are essential for this trip. Participation is limited to 18. Registration opens for members and nonmembers on Friday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m. at syvnhs@syvnature.org or 805/ 693-5683 Members $10 / Nonmembers $25 […]
Saving Sedgwick: A Citizens’ Success Story: Pop-up — Lecture recording
Free Lecture with Lansing Duncan This live lecture occurred Thursday, June 29, 2023 Tipton House, UC Sedgwick Reserve This event was co-sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society, UC Sedgwick Reserve, and Wildling Museum of Art and Nature. This in-person talk was live-streamed via Zoom. To access the Zoom lecture, please follow this […]
Saturday, February 20: Planting Native Oaks
Free Workshop with John Evarts and Sedgwick Docents. Saturday, February 20, 10:00 a.m. to noon. UC Sedgwick Reserve. 3566 Brinkerhoff Avenue, Santa Ynez. Participation is limited to 30. Advance registration required at synature@west.net 693-5683. What outdoor activity is fun, and in future years will help beautify any landscape, support wildlife, and combat global warming? Planting […]