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The Bizarre World of Acorn Woodpeckers
Free Lecture with Dr. Walt Koenig
Thursday, February 2, 7:00 p.m.
Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive
Acorn woodpeckers are one of the most
common birds in California’s oak woodlands, but they also exhibit
complex and bizarre social behavior.
Walt Koenig, a Senior Scientist at Cornell University's Lab of
Ornithology, has studied this bird for over 30 years in central coastal
California. In a multi-media presentation, he will detail how
cooperation in their family life coincides with some of the most
diabolical competition known in the animal kingdom.
North Slope Santa Ynez Range Flora
Field trip with Larry Ballard
Saturday, March 31, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Advance registration required at synature@west.net or 693-5683
Members free / nonmembers $20
Join us in exploring the incredibly diverse flora of South Refugio Road
as it winds its way up to Refugio Pass. A number of fern species are
abundant and the unique Checker Lily (Fritallaria
ojaiensis) should be in bloom. Many species of native trees can also
be spotted along this beautiful stretch of road. If time allows and we
decide to go all the way up the pass, it is approximately an 8 mile
round trip and a 2,000 foot elevation gain.
Larry Ballard is an experienced naturalist with an extensive
knowledge of the Santa Barbara County flora. He has led many trips for
the society in the past, as well as for the Wilding Museum and other
local organizations.
Global Warming: Thinking It Through Together
Free Lecture with Jim Powell
Wednesday, April 18, 7:00 p.m.
Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, 1745 Mission Drive
Curious about the debate over global warming? Come and reason it
through with scientist Jim Powell.
Dr. James Lawrence Powell was appointed to the National Science
Board by presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. He currently
serves as Executive Director of the National Physical Science
Consortium. He is the author of nine books, including Grand Canyon:
Solving Earth's Grandest Puzzle and Dead Pool: Lake Powell, Global
Warming, and the Future of Water in the West. Those who have attended
any of his previous lectures for the Natural History Society can vouch
that you will not want to miss this program.
Lower
Santa Ynez River Steelhead Restoration
Auto Tour Field Trip with Tim Robinson
Saturday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Advance registration required at synature@west.net or 693-5683
Members free / nonmembers $20
This trip will include site visits to restoration projects at Quiota
Creek, Salsipuedes Creek, El Jaro Creek, and the Santa Ynez River
lagoon. We will discuss steelhead population trends and water storage
and delivery systems, and get a first-handlook at the Lower Santa Ynez
River fisheries monitoring and restoration program.
Tim Robinson has been Senior Resources Scientist for the Cachuma
Operation and Maintenance Board since 2005, where the focus has been on
watershed and fisheries management for the Santa Ynez River. He has a
Ph.D. from the Bren School of Environmental Science at UCSB and two
masters degrees in geography, from UCSB and the University of Costa
Rica.
Aliso Loop Geology
Field trip with Jan Dependahl
Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Advance registration required at synature@west.net or 693-5683
Members free / nonmembers $20
With this short, steep hike, we will explore rocks and terrain that
range from 10 to 150 million years old. We will see rocks that
originated at a spreading center of the sea floor and then scraped off
onto an accretionary wedge at a subduction zone. We will see pillow
basalts that look as fresh as if we were looking out the window of a
submarine on thePacific
Rise. We will see an ancient erosional surface that has been folded,
eroded, and then deposited on again - then uplifted and eroded again!
You don't want to miss this geology packed Day.
Jan Dependahl has taught Earth Science labs at Santa Barbara City
College for 27 years. A Santa Barbara resident since 1967, she attended
Dos Pueblos High School, SBCC, and UCSB, where she graduated in geology.
She thoroughly enjoys teaching and sharing geology with her students and
members of the community - especially in the field!
Native Bees: Why They are Important and How to Attract Them to Your
Garden
Free Lecture with Gordon Frankie
Thursday, May 24, 7:00 p.m.
Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive
Come learn about the often-overlooked stars of a healthy garden –
the local pollinators! Using beautiful photos from his forthcoming book,
Dr. Gordon Frankie will discuss some of the more common species of
California's native bees, as well as the plants and gardening practices
which will encourage them to take up residence in your garden. Dr.
Frankie is a UC Berkeley professor, research entomologist, and a native
bee expert. Bees are his unmitigated passion.
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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