2017 Classes and Tours at the Galbreath Wildlands PreserveJoin us for weekend outings and classes at the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve in Mendocino County. Wildflowers! Birds! Tours and More! We are launching a new public education program at this beautiful preserve. Come learn new skills and find out about the amazing diversity of the North Coast. Sign up at Registration for Galbreath Preserve Tours and Classes
Announcing the Center for Environmental Inquiry!We are pleased to announce the launch of Sonoma State University’s new Center for Environmental Inquiry. The Center will oversee and expand programs at SSU’s three preserves – the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve, Fairfield Osborn Preserve, and Los Guillicos Preserve – while also increasing access to resources and technology for students, faculty and regional employers. Dr. Claudia Luke, who is currently director of the SSU Preserves, will serve as director of the Center. You can see a sneak peak of our new graphic mark to the left. Learn more at: SSU New Center: SSU Expands Nature Preserves With Launch of Center for Environmental Inquiry
Congrats to the Class of 2015We are pleased to announce the 2015 graduating class of Naturalists and Land Managers! The Naturalist training program at the Osborn preserve is the longest running program of its kind in Sonoma County and has turned out over 1600 naturalists since its inception. To learn more and/or sign up for next year’s program: Docent Naturalist Training or Land Management Training.
On-line Interactive GIS at Osborn Preserve December 2014
An on-line interactive mapping program is now available for students, faculty and researchers conducting projects at the Osborn Preserve. The map allows users to turn on and off data layers from the Sonoma County Vegetation Mapping and LiDAR Program (hillshade, aerial imagery) with Osborn Preserve boundaries, drainages, ponds, and access layers. For more about the map: Osborn On-line Interactive GIS.
Annual Newsletter Describes a Year of Transformative Experiences December 2104
Join us in rejoicing about a year of life-changing hands-on experiences at the SSU Preserves. Highlights of our annual report include a 40-acre donation to the Osborn Preserve by the Roth Family, development of a new educational sensor network, drinking water at the Galbreath Preserve, student research awards from the Norwick Memorial grant, and more. Please consider a donation to our programs. For more about the 2014 newsletter: Fall 2014 Newsletter
Tours of the Fairfield Osborn Preserve October 21 at SSU Sustainability Day and Expo October 2014
SSU Preserves is offering tours of the Osborn Preserve on October 21 as part of SSU's Sustainability Expo. The 1.5-hour tours leave at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm from the Expo entrance at the Green Music Center. Sign up on October 21 at the Expo entrance table!
Sparking a Legacy of Environmental Education and ResearchOctober 2014
The Fairfield Osborn Preserve is the cover story for SSU 2014 Insights magazine. Beautifully presented, the story highlights the Roths 40-acre donation and celebrates the diversity of education and research activities at the Preserve. More at SSU Insights: A Land for Learning Stays Forever Wild
A Land for LearningAugust 2014
The Press Democrat celebrates the Osborn Preserve's legacy of learning, highlighting the on-going research, cross-disciplinary education, the WATERS Collaborative, and the Roth family's lasting vision. Special attention is paid to ways that community members can participate. More at Press Democrat: A Land for Learning
The Roth Family Donation Sparks a Legacy of Environmental Education and ResearchJune 2014
Less than a year before his death this May, William Matson Roth was thinking of Sonoma State University (SSU) and the nature preserve that he and his family's philanthropy had created in the hills above the campus. In their most recent "gift of generosity," William and Joan Roth, and their children Jessica, Maggie, and Ana, donated a 40-acre parcel at the top of Sonoma Mountain to cement the future of the 450-acre Fairfield Osborn Preserve they had helped create.....>more at SSU News Center: Roth Family Donation
Student Research at the 2014 SSU Science Symposium, April 30, 2014April 2014
Students conducting research at Preserves this year are presenting their work as part of the 2014 SSU Science Symposium in the SSU Student Center Ballroom (4-7 pm). Topics from projects at the Preserves include tree ring analysis, automated weather stations, trail erosion monitoring, geodatabase development, bay laurel insect herbivory, herpetofauna abundance, and much more. Projects support included funding from the Sonoma County Water Agency’s WATERS Collaborative, Stephen Norwick Memorial Fund, Daphne Smith, and other donors). For more information: SSU Science Symposium
Osborn Preserve's Environmental Sensor Network Opens Up New WorldsApril 2014
When Albert Martos Maldonado described the sensors currently operating at Sonoma State University's Fairfield Osborn Preserve--measuring the energy use, climate, even cell phone locations--the students in the SSU Preserve Naturalist Training Program were amazed...>more at SSU News Center: An Environmental Sensor Network Opens Up New Worlds of Data at Fairfield Osborn Preserve. .
Students Encouraged to Sign up for Preserve Internships as Part of SSU's Do One Thing Today CampaignApril 2014
Sonoma State University’s push to create a cleaner and greener campus community has a new face. The “Do One Thing Today” (DOTT) campaign is the newest endeavor to inform our community about the significant and various sustainability efforts happening across campus....>more at Sonoma State Star: Students Encouraged to "Do One Thing Today".
New On-Line Reservation Form LaunchedMarch 2014
We are always looking for ways to make visits to the Preserves easier. The new on-line application streamlines the process, allowing you to submit your reservations with the click of a button. Thanks to Barbara Moore and students at SSU IT for making this project possible. See the new form at Visit a Preserve.
WATERS Collaborative Awarded 3 Years of Funding by the Sonoma County Water AgencyJanuary 2014
SSU Preserves serves as the Coordinator for the successful WATERS Collaborative. Local news covers renewed funding for SSU faculty and students to engage in regional watershed management projects, many in the Copeland Creek watershed:
SSU Preserves in the News with the Soundscape ProjectNovember 2013
The SSU Preserves' collaboration with Engineering Science, Theatre Arts and Dance, and Wild Sanctuary (Dr. Bernie Krause) are covered in local news:
October 2014
For 4 decades, Dr. Steve Norwick taught in the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning and encouraged field experiences at the SSU Preserves. The Norwick Memorial Fund, established by family and friends in Steve's memory, continues his legacy by creating hands-on research opportunities (5 awards of $1,000 each) for undergraduates at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve. Applications (due Oct 7) will be awarded this Fall.
June 2013
SSU students recorded and archived soundscapes of the SSU Preserves that will serve as the soundtrack for interpretive dance performances. This cross-disciplinary project engages ENSP, engineering science, and dance students to increase awareness of changing natural soundscapes. Join us at the Green Music Center on December 6 (12-1pm) for a free matinee performance. Tickets are free but required. Contact the SSU Theatre Arts Box Office at 707-664-4246. The project is funded by the GMC/Academic Integration Program and Sonoma County Community Foundation. For more information: Soundscape Project page.
Erosion Control Project Begins at Galbreath Wildlands Preserve July 2013
Road work began in July at the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve. The Preserves are collaborating with the Mendocino Resource Conservation District to reduce erosion and undertake riparian restoration to improve salmon and steelhead habitat. Over the next two years, $700,000 in EPA 319(h) funding will be spent redesigning road surfaces and replacing bridges.
December 2012
On the SSU Spotlight series, Dr. Claudia Luke talks about her career at field stations in California and the developing WATERS Collaborative, an academic-management collaboration between SSU and the Sonoma County Water Agency.
November 7, 2012
Sonoma State University celebrated a year of water with a special reception entitled "Make a Splash." The reception in SSU's Person Theatre highlighted SSU's campus-wide "Water Works" initiatve, a series of performances, lectures and events surrounding our relationship with this unique substance.
Preserves Director Claudia Luke, provided a special presentation on the importance of water in our lives and ongoing work of the Preserves' WATERS Collaborative. Other speakers included SSU Provost Andrew Rogerson and SSU Art Professor Kurt Kemp.
Following the reception, Department of Theatre Arts & Dance presented "The Great Divide," a play about hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
See the Water Works website for more information.
October 2012
WATERS Coordinator Claudia Luke talks to Comcast Newsmakers about the SSU Preserves, the WATERS Collaborative, and other water events on campus.
Fall 2012-Spring 2013 on Campus at Sonoma State University
WATERS Collaborative projects are part of a year-long celebration of water at Sonoma State University, called Water Works. Water Works explores inland water flow as a resource, theme, and metaphor, through a year (2012-2013) of academics, fine arts, and live theatre and dance. A schedule of events is available at the link above.
To get involved or learn more contact Paul Draper or Scott Horstein at the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance.
Sonoma News Center - July 24, 2012
The Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps project at SSU was hosted by the SSU Preserves, SSU Facilities and Sonoma County Adult and Youth Development on Copeland Creek. Seven members of the Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps worked diligently over the summer to clear the Himalayan blackberry that is choking out native species along Copeland Creek on campus and at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve. read more...