Community Education
Walks, Talks & Classes

APRIL | MAY | JUNE

The Laguna Foundation is proud to collaborate with local biologists, artists, educators, naturalists, and partner organizations to offer a wide range of natural and cultural history online programs, presentations, and outings all year long. Whether you’d like to learn a new skill, enjoy the beautiful Laguna scenery, or attend a fun event with your family, the Laguna Foundation has a variety of offerings to deepen your appreciation for the Laguna de Santa Rosa, connect with nature, and inspire a vibrant community dedicated to lifelong learning.

Please note: Heavy smoke, excessive heat, or heavy rain cancels outdoor programs. Lastly, please let us know in advance if you can no longer attend an outing so we can offer a spot to someone on the wait-list.

Select webinar recordings can be found on our Educational Resources page or on our YouTube channel.

For more information, contact Carlos Barragan, Environmental Educator, at (707) 527-9277 xt. 110 or by email

April
This event has been CANCELLED	Saving Endangered Species in Sonoma County With Ayla Mills and Betty Young Wednesday, April 17, 2024. 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Sliding Scale $10 - $15 - $25
Presented in Partnership With:	Laguna Stewards at Meadowlark Field Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm FREE. Registration required. Meeting Location: Laguna de Santa Rosa Trailhead, 6303 CA-12, Santa Rosa, CA Join us for this fun and meaningful way to volunteer while enjoying the outdoors along the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail at Meadowlark Field. Help us continue to steward this amazing site with over 20 years of ongoing habitat restoration projects! Bring a friend! Bring the kids! No experience needed. Tools and training provided. Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Please bring a water bottle, a smile and some elbow grease. Only heavy rain cancels. There is no charge for this event, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
	Art Walk - Gallery and Garden Open at the Laguna Environmental Center Saturday, April 20, 2024. 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Free! No RSVP necessary. Garden tours at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Happy Earth Day! Enjoy our current exhibit, "Water and Dreams,” Photography by Robin Dintiman, then walk around the native plant demonstration garden. Dintiman’s work is characterized by a deep connection to nature. Whether she is working directly with objects found in nature or taking nature as her subject, Dintiman strives to capture the intimate, emotional quality of certain natural settings, suffused as they are with time, change, and personal memory. The Heron Hall Gallery & Gift Shop at the Laguna Environmental Center exhibits multiple shows per year of nature-themed art. Proceeds benefit the educational and conservation efforts of the Laguna Foundation. The Laguna Environmental Center includes a 2-acre native plant garden, featuring plants that are important to the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed. The site also has spots to have a picnic, a children’s play area with a living willow tunnel, a bridge over a swale, a pond surrounded by wetland plants, and an observation deck suitable for bird watching, photography, or just enjoying the quiet vistas.
Presented in Partnership With:	Spring Bird Walk with I’m Birding Right Now Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 8:30 am – 11:30 am FREE. Registration required. Meeting Location: Delta Pond, 642 Willowside Rd, Santa Rosa, CA With spring comes an increase in noticeable bird activity as many birds begin to sing and pair up for their breeding cycle. We’ll slowly meander along the mostly flat trail, winding through open oak savannah, grasslands, riparian woodlands, and marshes. All experience levels are welcome. Beginners are encouraged - don't be shy if you've never birded before, that's what we're here for! We’ll start with a tutorial on using binoculars and an introductory discussion about birding. As we explore the area, stopping frequently to enjoy the birds we encounter, we’ll discuss a variety of topics, such as: techniques for locating birds, what sorts of details to notice when observing a bird, species identification, bird vocalizations, and bird behavior and habitats. Note: Though we’ll be walking slowly, for those with mobility issues, please be aware that we will be on unpaved trails and some slight inclines. Depending on recent rainfall, the trail may be muddy. Instructor Bio: Miles and Teresa Tuffli are avid birders from Sonoma County. They especially love helping fellow nature-lovers and “bird-curious” folks take the next step of getting into the field to enjoy the bird world! They’ve led guided bird walks for the Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival, LandPaths, Marin Audubon Society, and Point Reyes National Seashore Association’s Field Institute. Learn more about them at their website: I’m Birding Right Now There is no charge for this event, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.

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May
Presented in Partnership With:	Laguna Stewards End of Season Work Party at Irwin Creek Saturday, May 4, 2024. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join us for the final Stewardship Day of the Season! Our last stewardship day of the season always has an element of gratitude for all of you! We will celebrate the end of another season with a PIZZA PARTY!....after we focus on one final restoration project in Irwin Creek. Grab a snack, sip on some hot beverages, and connect with fellow nature lovers. It's all about hands-on action and community vibes. No frills, just a chill day making a positive impact on our environment. See you there! PLEASE NOTE: All ages are welcome! No experience is necessary; tools and training are provided. There is no charge for this event, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
	Opening Reception for Kaare Iverson Art Exhibit Saturday, May 4, 2024. 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Free! No RSVP necessary. Light refreshments provided. Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join us in welcoming artist Kaare Iverson and his remarkable photographs of local Coho Salmon in this new art exhibit, “The Last Coho” on display at the Laguna Environmental Center, May 4 – August 30, 2024. Exhibit Overview “The Last Coho” is a photography exhibit combining large-scale portraiture of endangered salmon with editorial excerpts that collectively illustrate the incredible effort to rehabilitate Coho in the Russian River Watershed. The salmon portraits place our native fish on a stage level with the charismatic megafauna of the Western identity (i.e. Bison, Grizzly Bear, etc.), illustrating them as a species worthy of our admiration, empathy, and reciprocity. Many of the portraits were shot on large format film using an heirloom land camera which the photographer inherited through a connection to Ansel Adams. About the Artist Kaare Iverson is an award-winning photographer based in Santa Rosa, California.  His perspective, rooted in a history of natural resource extraction, explores our dependency on the natural world and how we can restore our relationship with it. He pronounces his name “Kory” and you can see more of his work at www.studioiverson.com. The Gallery The Heron Hall Gallery & Gift Shop exhibits three shows per year of local, nature-themed art. Sales support the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation and its mission to restore and conserve this Wetland of International Importance. Due to the multiple uses of Heron Hall, the gallery is open by appointment only. Please schedule a time to see the exhibit: gallery@lagunafoundation.org
	The Last Coho Presentation with Kaare Iverson and Jacob Katz Friday, May 17, 2024. 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Sliding Scale: $10 - $30. Registration required. Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join Kaare Iverson (photographer, THE LAST COHO) and Jacob Katz (Biologist, CalTrout) for an interactive presentation about the current state of salmon in California. We’ll share some behind the scenes stories of creating of the current exhibit, THE LAST COHO, and discuss what needs to be done to bring salmon back to Sonoma County. Presenter Bios: Kaare Iverson - Kaare (pronounced “Cory”) Iverson is a photographer & director based in Sonoma County. His personal and editorial work explores how food systems play a role in environmental conservation. Commercially, his work has been commissioned by Adidas, Osprey Packs, Marmot, Lagunitas, and Klean Kanteen. www.studioiverson.com Jacob Katz - Jacob was born with gills. Fascinated with what happened below the water line he grew up chasing fish in every creek, puddle, river and pond he could find. Jacob earned his Ph.D. in ecology at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences with Dr. Peter Moyle. He directs CalTrout’s Central California region where his work focuses on redesigning California’s antiquated water infrastructure. Learn more about Jacob’s journey into fish and farms in an article titled “Chasing Nigiri” by the Northern California Water Association.
Presented in Partnership With:	Spring Vernal Pool Walk with Sonoma Land Trust Friday, May 10, 2024. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm FREE! Registration opens April 17th Location: Galvin Community Park, 3330 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA Join The Laguna Foundation, Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space for a walk on the newly acquired Sonoma Mountain Vernal Pools property. This 174-acre preserve protects rare and threatened plant species and conserves a significant portion of a wildlife corridor. We will walk through the oak woodlands and meadows to see the vernal pools and enjoy the beauty of this ecological preserve. The Sonoma Mountain Vernal Pools property was acquired by Sonoma Land Trust in March of 2023. As a partner in the project, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space holds a conservation easement on the property. There is no charge for this event, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
	Willow Tatza Workshop with Charlie Kennard Saturday, May 11, 2024. 9:30 am – 3:30 pm $120. Registration required. Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join our upcoming class for a perfect blend of knowledge and spring vibes! We will make this elegant and unusual plaited-weave basket that is found in the Netherlands, France and Poland. “Tatza” (properly spelled taca) is a Polish term for breadbasket, for which use this basket is well-suited. In this class, experience in working with willow is helpful, but not essential. Participants must bring: garden clippers, large pliers, as well as lunch. Instructor Bio: Charlie Kennard of San Anselmo is a long-time basket weaver and student of California Indian and other traditional basketry techniques. He has taught for the Point Reyes Field Institute, East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden, the Laguna Environmental Center in Santa Rosa and in many schools and at teacher trainings. Tule boats made in his workshops can be seen at the Bay Model in Sausalito, Lake County Museum, and another is in the collection of the Oakland Museum. You can also visit a basketry plant garden Charlie has created at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross. Charlie is active in native habitat restoration in Marin, managing several projects for Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed.
	Eco-Friendly Garden Tour Open House and Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 18, 2024. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Plant Sale from 10:00am-12:00pm) FREE. Registration is required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Don’t miss the 14th annual Eco-Friendly Garden! This self-guided tour, hosted by the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, focuses on low water use, sustainable landscaping at 26 inspirational gardens throughout Sonoma and Marin counties, including the personal gardens of local landscape designers, architects, and garden enthusiasts. If you are interested in landscaping your yard like the pros, or simply looking for fresh ideas for future landscaping projects, the garden tour is the perfect event for you! Stop by the Laguna Environmental Center to check out our 2-acre native plant demonstration garden and our joint native plant sale with the California Native Plant Society Milo Baker Chapter! Shop for spring additions to your garden in our shared nursery then join us in the demonstration garden at 11:00am or 1:00pm for a guided walk about planting and maintaining a native plant garden. It will also be a great opportunity to see the new exhibit in Heron Hall by photographer Kaare Iverson. Please note: The gate will open promptly at 10:00 am, please do not come early. No dogs are allowed onsite and we do not allow animals to be left in vehicles, as shady parking spots are not available. If you buy plants, please bring your own box to take them home with you. Thank you!

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June
	Lisa Rogers’ EcoPrint with Leaves Saturday, June 1, 2024. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm $130.00. Registration Required. This class is limited to 10 participants! Location: Heron Hall, Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA This workshop will cover different techniques, including tannins and iron and pounding leaf prints on paper, Hapa Zome. We will take a 45 minute lunch break while pieces simmer away. Participants will create their leaf print designs on a pre-mordanted silk piece. It can be used as a scarf, runner or wall hanging. This piece measures approximately 11" X 60”. No materials or experience needed. Workshop fee includes all necessary materials and instruction. Instructor Bio: Lisa Rogers is the creator and owner of SlowDigz. She previously worked as a science and garden educator and began following a creative path with natural dyeing. Lisa learned about ecoprinting, printing leaves on fabric and paper, over a decade ago. She fell in love with the process of obtaining prints from nature, which sparked a fire that led to over a decade of experimentation and research through books, workshops and numerous fails. Leaving full time teaching, this passion became the small business, SlowDigz, Eco Designs, where Lisa shares her passion and love of nature through botanical prints.

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For more information, contact Carlos Barragan, Environmental Educator
(707) 527-9277 xt. 110 or by email at Carlos.Barragan@LagunaFoundation.org