Trees of Figueroa Mountain Field trip, Saturday, Nov. 1 

Causes and Consequences of Species Extinction
Free lecture, Thursday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. Solvang Branch Library, 1745 Mission Dr.

The SYVNHS and UCSB’s Sedgwick Reserve invite you to a talk by an award-winning teacher, UCSB professor Bradley Cardinale. Last spring, Cardinale and his team of scientists published a paper in the prestigious science journal Nature. Within weeks, this paper was attracting worldwide attention. The research findings presented in Nature by Cardinale will be the topic of his lecture, titled “Causes and Consequences of Species Extinction.” Cardinale will discuss some of the causes of biodiversity loss, as well as the impacts that extinction has on natural ecosystems and the services these systems provide to society. He’ll begin with a global perspective, summarizing the results of two decades of experiments that have examined what species diversity ‘does’ for nature. He’ll then give examples from local habitats in the Santa Barbara area and end with presentation of some of his research that has focused on streams and rivers in California.
Bradley J. Cardinale, Ph.D, is a professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology at UCSB. He is an ecologist who uses theory, experimentation, and observational studies to address questions about communities and ecosystems. His major areas of research currently have three branches: biodiversity and ecosystem processes, community assembly, and restoration ecology.

Red Rock Nature Hike
Field trip, Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Advance registration required at  synature@west.net or 693-5683 Members free / nonmembers $20

Join naturalists Tim Matthews and Marc Kummel for a fall-color hike in the Red Rock area of the upper Santa Ynez River. We will make a moderate loop trail of about 6 miles, exploring the riparian zone of the river up to Gibraltar Dam and returning via the high road. Bring lunch, water, sun protection, and appropriate shoes for hiking—as well as binoculars and your camera. Meet at 9:00 at the parking lot by the kiosk just before Paradise Road crosses the Santa Ynez River for the first time to receive free Adventure Passes for our parking at Red Rock.
Tim Matthews and Marc Kummel are both board members of the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society. Kummel and Matthews have led a number of local field trips and will share their extensive expertise about many aspects of local natural history.

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Field Trip Policy: Advance reservations are required for field trips and workshops. To register, please e-mail synature@west.net or call (805) 693-5683 with your name, mailing address, number of members and/or nonmembers in your party, and which dates you wish to sign up for. The trips are free to SYVNHS. Nonmembers are asked to pay the $20 per-person fee at the beginning of the field trip. Our outings often fill up and have waiting lists; please notify us if you need to cancel your reservation so others may have a chance to take your spot.
 

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                                                    FALL 2008 PAST EVENTS:
 

2008 Student Award

Dunn Middle School student Jake Eisaguirre is the recipient of the 2008 Student Research and Education Award from the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society. He is being recognized for his multimedia study about the biodiversity of offshore kelp forests, titled “The Ecosystem of Kelp Forests.” The Society will present Eisaguirre this award at its September 4th program, just prior to the lecture by marine biologist Michelle Berman (see details below). Now in its 9th year, the Society’s annual award recognizes outstanding natural science projects by valley students in grades 7 through 12. The winner receives $50 and a $50 gift certificate to the Book Loft in Solvang.

 

The Future of Blue Whales in the Santa Barbara Channel

Free lecture, Thursday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. Solvang Branch Library, 1745 Mission Dr.
 

Each summer blue whales congregate in the Santa Barbara Channel, and in recent years they have been seen in significant numbers in the east channel where they are now a major attraction for whale-watching cruises. Last summer, when five blue whales washed up on beaches in southern California, their deaths became national news. Michelle Berman and her colleagues from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History were asked to investigate the causes of this unusual whale mortality. How these whales died, and the new strategies that have been developed to protect this species in the Santa Barbara Channel, are the core subject of her illustrated lecture, “The Future of Blue Whales in the Santa Barbara Channel.” Berman will also provide a broad overview of this species, which is the world’s largest mammal. Michelle is Associate Curator of Vertebrate Zoology and Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, where she has worked for the past eight years.

Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas of California

Free lecture & book-signing, Thursday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. Solvang Branch Library, 1745 Mission Dr.
 

In keeping with our goal to offer a botany-themed lecture in advance of the annual plant sale, the Society is hosting Stephen Ingram, author of Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas of California and Nevada, which was recently released by local book publisher Cachuma Press. Ingram’s multimedia presentation explores some of the unique attributes of the cacti, agaves, and yuccas and highlights what makes them such intriguing components of our native plant communities. With stunning images of their colorful blossoms and unusual growth forms, this program showcases a number of species and varieties that occur in California’s deserts and coastal areas. He will also feature some of the best choices for home gardens. After his talk, Ingram will sign his new book. A botanist, photographer, and nature writer, Ingram traveled more than 30,000 miles over four years to seek out, study, and photograph the more than 60 species of spiny succulents that are found in our two states. Ingram has an M.A. degree in Botany from UCSB, and his photos have been used in numerous books, magazines, and calendars. He lives near Bishop California and is past president of the Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.

Fall Plant Sale
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 & 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Opens at 9 am on Saturday to SYVNHS members only! Dunn Middle School in Los Olivos (near Roblar and Hwy 154).

Our third annual fall plant sale will again feature many native plants propagated from materials of local origin, including grasses and hard-to-find bulbs, as well as non-natives that thrive in our area. Unique selections will be offered by Sedgwick Reserve Nursery, Manzanita Nursery, Native Sons Nursery, and other regional sources. Experts will be on hand for consultation.   The sale is a perfect opportunity to find the right plant to fit a difficult location, to attract birds and butterflies, or to add an interesting element to your garden. Plants are carefully selected for their resilience, low-maintenance, and suitability for local conditions.  In addition, at this year’s sale we will try to offer as many different native succulents as we can. This event is a fundraiser for the educational programs and field trips of the Society, so please make plans to stop by the sale to browse and shop

Geology Hike at Arroyo Hondo Preserve
Field trip, Saturday, October 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance registration required at  synature@west.net or 693-5683  Members free / nonmembers $20

Join geologist Susie Bartz on this exploration of scenic Arroyo Hondo Preserve. Our route will be a relatively easy walk along meadows and wooded creekside paths, with a couple of creek crossings. The return trail goes along the Lower Outlaw Loop, following a dirt road up a tributary creek and leading uphill to a fine viewpoint. From here, people who prefer a shorter hike can return via the Hollister Meadow. For those who are interested in a longer hike, the route continues to the Upper Outlaw Trail. This added option is a moderate loop, leading from the viewpoint up through coastal scrub with little shade. The basic Arroyo Hondo Creek Trail and return via Lower Outlaw Loop is about 3.5 miles; add another 2.5 miles to include the Upper Outlaw Loop.
Meet at Arroyo Hondo at 9 a.m. Bring lunch, water, sun protection, and appropriate shoes for hiking. Trail notes and maps will be provided.
Susie Bartz is a geologist with the Dibblee Geology Center (Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History), which publishes the maps of legendary geologist Tom Dibblee. She assists community organizations to help bring an awareness of earth science to children, teachers, and the general public.

Trees of Figueroa Mountain
Field trip, Saturday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advance registration required at synature@west.net or 693-5683  Members free / nonmembers $20

Few places in Santa Barbara County contain a greater diversity of native trees than the Figueroa Mountain area. Rising nearly 4000 feet above the valley floor, this mountain harbors a variety of microclimates and soil types that support a rich selection of both conifers and broad-leaved trees, including five species of tree oaks. Naturalists John Evarts and Margie Popper will lead this introduction to the tree life on Figueroa. On this driving tour with short walks, participants will learn easy ways to identify local oaks, pines, and a variety of streamside broad-leaved trees. We will visit an oak hybrid and a surprise conifer as well. Meet at Mattei’s Tavern at 8:45 am. Bring a lunch for our stop along the Pino Alto Trail near the summit of Figueroa.
John Evarts and Margie Popper are editors and publishers of Oaks of California, Conifers of California, and other natural history books produced by their company, Cachuma Press. They helped launch the SYVNHS in 2000 and served many years on the Board of Directors