Community Education
Walks, Talks, and Classes

January  •  February  •  March

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 YouTube channel.

For more information, contact Ashley Carreño, Education Coordinator, at (707) 527-9277 xt. 108 or by email

January 2025
	Orientation Webinar to Serving on the Laguna Foundation Board of Directors Wednesday, January 8, 2025. 6:00 – 7:00pm FREE. Registration required. Flier  •  Volunteer Position Description  •  Current Board Have you ever wondered what it might be like to serve on a Board of Directors? If you are passionate about wetland conservation and environmental education and you are searching for a meaningful way to serve your community, then this 1-hour online orientation is your chance to learn more! The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation is seeking new members for our Board of Directors who share our vision of a healthy, vibrant, and resilient Laguna de Santa Rosa. Meet the current members of our Board of Directors and learn about how you can support our new 5-year strategic plan by lending your insight and guidance and serving as an emissary to the community.
"Afternoon on Taylor Mountain"	Opening Reception for New Art Exhibit: "Sonoma Impressions" Impressionistic Oil Paintings by Lenona Winter Saturday, January 11, 2025. 3:00 – 5:00pm FREE. Donations welcome. No RSVP needed Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Join us for the opening reception of our new art exhibit, "Sonoma Impressions” featuring oil paintings by Lenona Winter. The event will be held in the Heron Hall Gallery & Gift Shop at the Laguna Environmental Center. Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of Lenona Winter's stunning artwork. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Sonoma County through her impressionistic paintings. See you there! Exhibit Description: This exhibition of impressionistic oil paintings celebrates the breathtaking landscapes of Sonoma County. Scenes of its majestic coastline, golden summer hills, vibrant autumn vineyards, and serene natural vistas will be featured.
	Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day Friday, January 17, 2025. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Share your passion for pollinators by helping our native plant garden thrive! Volunteers are essential in beautifying our site. Activities include planting, weeding, pruning, and spreading wood chips. No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn about native plants. Training and tools will be provided plus abundant and hearty snacks! Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Only heavy rain cancels.
Presented in Partnership With:	Laguna Stewards Day at the Laguna Environmental Center Saturday, January 18, 2025. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA It's a new year, and what better way to get a head start on Spring than by cleaning seeds together? Join us for a fun-filled, hands-on day inside Heron Hall at the Laguna Environmental Center. Over the Summer and Fall, we've gathered seeds from various local sites, and now it's time to prepare them for our nursery or to create seed packets for the community to enjoy. No need to worry about the weather – we’ll be cozy indoors! Dress in layers to stay comfortable, and enjoy warm drinks and snacks as we work together on this rewarding project. Come be part of a community effort to restore and enrich our environment! 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. --- Día de Laguna Stewards en La Laguna Environmental Center Sábado 18 de enero de 2025. 9 a.m. – mediodía GRATIS. Se requiere registro. Ubicación: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Es un nuevo año y ¿qué mejor manera de comenzar la limpieza de primavera que limpiando semillas juntos? Únase a nosotros en Heron Hall en el Laguna Environmental Center para pasar un día divertido y productivo. Durante el verano y el otoño, hemos recolectado semillas de varios sitios locales y ahora es el momento de prepararlas para nuestro vivero o crear paquetes de semillas para la comunidad. No hay necesidad de preocuparse por el clima: ¡estaremos cómodos por dentro! Vístase con varias capas para mantenerse cómodo y disfrute de bebidas calientes y bocadillos mientras trabajamos juntos en este gratificante proyecto. ¡Venga a ser parte de un esfuerzo comunitario para restaurar y enriquecer nuestro medio ambiente! NOTA: ¡Se aceptan personas de todas las edades! No se necesita experiencia, se proporcionan herramientas y capacitación. No hay ningún costo por este evento, que es posible gracias a los votantes del condado de Sonoma que financian el trabajo de Ag + Open Space con un impuesto sobre las ventas de un cuarto de centavo.
	Orientation for Learning Laguna Docent Training Friday, January 24, 2025. 10:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Learning Laguna Docents are trained volunteers who teach the Learning Laguna school program in 2nd-4th grade classrooms throughout the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed and during student field trips to Laguna preserves. Docents are essential to our programs and help the children of our community deepen their enthusiasm, appreciation, and knowledge of the Laguna de Santa Rosa ecosystem and their home environment. At each orientation event, we will provide an overview of the training course and the role and expectation of docents in teaching our specially-designed activities for the classroom and the field details. Some of the activities will be on display so you can see how fun and engaging they are (and easy to lead, too!) The training course takes place on eight consecutive Tuesdays between March 4–April 22. The training cost $175.00 (reduced rates available) and covers the course materials. In addition to the Tuesday classes, trainees choose dates to shadow a current Docent in action during Learning Laguna to put all the learning, practice, and training into context. Upon completion of the training course, docents volunteer 6 to 8 weekday mornings between September and October, and another 6 to 8 times between March and May. Docents are part of the Laguna Education Team, and are invited to participate in fun opportunities for continuing education, special outings, and social events with fellow education volunteers.
	The Underwater World of Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Presentation with Jennifer Stock, Media Liaison and Education Specialist for NOAA Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Friday, January 24, 2025. 6:00 – 7:30pm Sliding Scale: $10 – $15. Registration required Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is entirely offshore. Within its 1,286 square miles, the sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep sea canyons, and communities of wildlife throughout. Its surface waters are feeding areas for local and migratory seabirds and marine mammals. During this engaging evening, we will learn about the history of National Marine Sanctuaries and hear ecosystem stories of Cordell Bank with pictures and video focused on who lives there, species of special concern, regional climate impacts and what is being done to help mitigate them, and much more. Special Add-on: Optional Virtual Reality Experience: Dive on Cordell Bank! 5:00 – 5:45 pm or 7:45 – 8:30 pm Sliding scale: $15 – $25. Registration required. Put on a VR headset and explore Cordell Bank without getting wet! Experience a 360 degree view while being virtually immersed in this beautiful underwater environment that is right off the Sonoma Coast. Discover colorful corals and anemones, rockfish, jellies, ocean sunfish, and more. The virtual experience is approx. 10 minutes. Arrive anytime between 5:00-5:30 pm (pre-presentation time block) or stay after the presentation for the 7:45-8:30 pm (after-presentation time block). Engaging educational displays will be available to explore, too! Jennifer Stock is the Media Liaison and Education Specialist for NOAA Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries. She has led education and outreach for Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary for over 20 years bringing this offshore underwater wonder to us through exhibits, multimedia experiences, curriculum, education programming, and live expeditions. She has seen the bank up close through a submersible, led wildlife watching trips offshore, participated in underwater exploration expeditions and enjoys showing off this wondrous underwater jewel to increase awe and appreciation of our ocean and National Marine Sanctuaries. Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is managed along with Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary under NOAA. Also joining us this evening: Justin Holl is an Education & Outreach Specialist for NOAA’s Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. He manages the sanctuary Visitor Center at Crissy Field in San Francisco, and teaches marine science for schools and communities throughout the Bay Area. Janai Southworth is a Naturalist with the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Board President of the San Francisco Microscopical Society, and a plankton enthusiast.

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February
	Fresh Pressed Flowers Workshop with Jan Lochner Saturday, February 1, 2025. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm $35. Registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Experimenting and creating with pressed flowers is a wonderful way to make thoughtful gifts for Valentine's Day and getting ready for Spring! Step into the world of flower pressing with local gardener and Laguna Foundation volunteer, Jan Lochner, in this hands-on, make-and-take workshop. Jan will guide you through the simple yet beautiful art of pressing flowers, sharing her tips and techniques along the way. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to explore your creativity while learning a timeless craft. You'll have the chance to create your own unique, nature-inspired items—ranging from bookmarks and cards to window ornaments and refrigerator magnets. All materials, including flowers, will be provided, so all you need to bring is an open mind and a smile! This workshop is suitable for participants ages 8 and up (minors must be accompanied by an adult). Come join us for a fun, relaxing, and informative session, and leave with your very own pressed flower creations to enjoy at home. We can’t wait to share the joy of this easy and rewarding craft with you! The Artist: Jan Lochner has been creating note cards from pressed flowers as a hobby for 25 years. She uses color, shape, and texture on fine quality paper, making each hand-made card unique. Her home in Sebastopol is her workshop with the dining room table seldom clear and kitchen cupboards filled with bags and boxes of flowers that she collects from her garden and other local sources.
	Orientation for Learning Laguna Docent Training Tuesday, February 11, 2025. 10:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Learning Laguna Docents are trained volunteers who teach the Learning Laguna school program in 2nd-4th grade classrooms throughout the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed and during student field trips to Laguna preserves. Docents are essential to our programs and help the children of our community deepen their enthusiasm, appreciation, and knowledge of the Laguna de Santa Rosa ecosystem and their home environment. At each orientation event, we will provide an overview of the training course and the role and expectation of docents in teaching our specially-designed activities for the classroom and the field details. Some of the activities will be on display so you can see how fun and engaging they are (and easy to lead, too!) The training course takes place on eight consecutive Tuesdays between March 4–April 22. The training cost $175.00 (reduced rates available) and covers the course materials. In addition to the Tuesday classes, trainees choose dates to shadow a current Docent in action during Learning Laguna to put all the learning, practice, and training into context. Upon completion of the training course, docents volunteer 6 to 8 weekday mornings between September and October, and another 6 to 8 times between March and May. Docents are part of the Laguna Education Team, and are invited to participate in fun opportunities for continuing education, special outings, and social events with fellow education volunteers.
	Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day Friday, February 17, 2025. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Share your passion for pollinators by helping our native plant garden thrive! Volunteers are essential in beautifying our site. Activities include planting, weeding, pruning, and spreading wood chips. No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn about native plants. Training and tools will be provided plus abundant and hearty snacks! Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Only heavy rain cancels.
	Orientation for Learning Laguna Docent Training Tuesday, February 21, 2025. 10:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Learning Laguna Docents are trained volunteers who teach the Learning Laguna school program in 2nd-4th grade classrooms throughout the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed and during student field trips to Laguna preserves. Docents are essential to our programs and help the children of our community deepen their enthusiasm, appreciation, and knowledge of the Laguna de Santa Rosa ecosystem and their home environment. At each orientation event, we will provide an overview of the training course and the role and expectation of docents in teaching our specially-designed activities for the classroom and the field details. Some of the activities will be on display so you can see how fun and engaging they are (and easy to lead, too!) The training course takes place on eight consecutive Tuesdays between March 4–April 22. The training cost $175.00 (reduced rates available) and covers the course materials. In addition to the Tuesday classes, trainees choose dates to shadow a current Docent in action during Learning Laguna to put all the learning, practice, and training into context. Upon completion of the training course, docents volunteer 6 to 8 weekday mornings between September and October, and another 6 to 8 times between March and May. Docents are part of the Laguna Education Team, and are invited to participate in fun opportunities for continuing education, special outings, and social events with fellow education volunteers.

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March
	Native Plant Garden Volunteer Day Friday, March 14, 2025. 9:00 am – Noon FREE. Registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Share your passion for pollinators by helping our native plant garden thrive! Volunteers are essential in beautifying our site. Activities include planting, weeding, pruning, and spreading wood chips. No experience necessary, just a willingness to learn about native plants. Training and tools will be provided plus abundant and hearty snacks! Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Only heavy rain cancels.
	Introduction to Native Bees With Kandis Gilmore Saturday, March 15, 2025. 10:00 am – 3:00 pm $35. Registration Required. Location: Laguna Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA Did you know that California is home to over 1,600 unique species of bees? While many are familiar with the European Honey Bee, Apis mellifera, and might recognize a bumble bee or carpenter bee, there’s a vast world of diverse and fascinating native bees thriving in our gardens and natural landscapes, waiting to be explored! Join entomologist Kandis Gilmore for an engaging day all about native bees. This hands-on workshop starts indoors, where you'll learn to identify major bee families. Then, we'll head outside to observe these bees in their natural habitats at the Laguna Foundation, practicing safe catch-and-release techniques. We'll finish by comparing live specimens to pinned ones and exploring field guides. Don't miss this chance to connect with the buzzing life around us! Instructor Bio: Kandis Gilmore is broadly trained in organismal biology and ecology. She has worked as a field assistant in the rocky intertidal, oak woodlands, and vernal pool grassland ecosystems. She received her Master's of Science degree from Sonoma State Biology Department in 2017. Her master's thesis research focused on pollinators of three of Sonoma County's endemic and endangered vernal pool plant species Blennosperma bakeri (Sonoma sunshine), Limnanthes vinculans (Sebastopol meadowfoam, and Lasthenia burkei (Burke's Goldfields). Kandis serves on the Board of Directors of Conservation Works, and served as President of the Pacific Coast Entomological Society during 2020-2021.

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For more information, contact Ashley Carreño, Education Coordinator
(707) 527-9277 xt. 108 or by email