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Dear Visitors, welcome to our Spring 2020 calendar-of-events, here in our 20th year of bringing science-based educational lectures and field trips to our region. Our programs lead with “Live Birth – A Year in the Life of an Elephant Seal” on Thursday, January 30, presented by B. Misty Wycoff. Don’t miss our 20th Anniversary celebration on April 4 at the …

Free lecture with B. Misty Wycoff Thursday, January 30, 7:00 p.m. St. Mark’s in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, Stacy Hall 2901 Nojoqui Avenue, Los Olivos Note: This lecture precedes a field trip to Piedras Blancas to view the elephant seals. See February 1 entry, below. Northern elephant seals gather from December through March in large breeding colonies on several Channel Islands in …

Free field trip with Friends of the Elephant Seal docents Saturday, February 1, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., not including driving time each way Advance registration at synature@west.net or 805/ 693-5683. There is no fee for this field trip. Paired with the lecture on January 30, the Natural History Society is also offering a free field trip to the seal …

Wednesday, February 19: Annual Members’ Meeting Short meeting preceding the evening presentation Wednesday, February 19, 6:45 p.m. Los Olivos Community Organization Hall. The Annual Members’ Meeting will be held at 6:45 p.m. immediately before Dr. Schneider’s lecture in the evening. We will elect new board members for 2020 and hear a brief Treasurer’s report. SYVNHS members, please join us at …

Free lecture with Heather Schneider Co-hosted by the Los Olivos Library and Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 p.m. Los Olivos Community Organization Hall 2374 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos With more than 6,500 kinds of native plants, California is the most botanically diverse state in the nation. However, more than one-third of those plants are considered …

Field trip with Larry Ballard Postponed 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participation limited to 15. Advance registration begins February 21 at synature@west.net or 805/ 693-5683 Members $10 / Nonmembers $25 / Children $5               The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge lies within the largest coastal dune system in California. The hike takes us through dune scrub, …

Postponed to late spring or fall: Field Trips, lectures, children’s activities, and a picnic 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. UC Sedgwick Reserve, Tipton House Advance registration (required) begins March 4 at synature@west.net or 805/ 693-5683 Free event open to the public, and all ages are welcome           Join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Society! The founding …

Postponed to late spring or fall: Free lecture with Matt Kay Co-hosted by the Los Olivos Library 7:30 p.m. Los Olivos Community Organization 2374 Alamo Pintado Avenue, Los Olivos Wildfire is a natural part of chaparral plant communities. Not surprisingly, chaparral plant species have interesting adaptations that allow them to regrow and/or reproduce post fire.  For many species, wildfire is …

Postponed: Field Trip with Matt Kay Date and location to be determined Participation limited to 15. Advance registration pending Members $10 / Nonmembers $25 / Children $5 Matt Kay will lead a field trip to a local, post-fire chaparral plant community in the Santa Ynez Mountains in April. This field trip complements his lecture, Chaparral Plant Adaptations and Patterns of …

Field trip with Tim Matthews Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participation limited to 15. Advance registration begins April 2 at synature@west.net or 805/693-5683. Members $10 / Nonmembers $25 / Children $5 We return to Quiota Creek during the height of spring migration, when many species return from southern wintering grounds to follow the light, food, and breeding …