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Learn more about past topics! Visit our Press & Media page for articles on many of our events!
 Saturday, August 2, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Between the Sonoma and Napa Valleys, the majestic Mayacamas Mountains rise above San Francisco Bay and strech northward past Calistoga to the east and Santa Rosa to the west. Here, near the divide of the wetersheds of the Napa and Russian rivers, Pepperwood Preserve protects a 3117-acre zone of stunning landscape and rich biodiversity. Join us on a field trip to experiene one of the more pristine areas of Sonoma County. Meet by the statue of the accordion player in La Plaza Park at 9 a.m.. RSVP to Jenny Blaker or 707-792 4422. We'll be at Pepperwood at 10 a.m.
Monday, September 8, 5:30 p.m. with Denise Cadman.
The City of Santa Rosa is restoring wetlands in farms in the Laguna watershed downstream from Cotati. Denise Cadman, Natural Resource Specialist for the City of Santa Rosa, will lead us on a hike in a 90-acre natural area on Alpha Farm, which includes Roseland Creek, a beautiful stretch of the Laguna channel, seasonal wetlands, and an oak regeneration project. Dress for hiking with appropriate footwear, hat, water, etc. Meet at the statue of the accordion player in La Plaza Park to carpool. RSVP to jenny@creeks.cotati.info or 792 4422.
Monday, June 2, 6 p.m. Explore the creeks of Cotati and Rohnert Park by bike with Wade Belew of the Cotati Creek Critters. We'll make several stops along the way to examine how the energy of flowing water shapes the land and influences the plants and animals of riparian (creekside) communities. In exchange for months of abundant water for the growing season, these organisms are adapted to endure the periodic violent intensity of water flowing at thousands of cubic feet per second. Relaxed, 6-8 mile ride at 8-10 mph.
Meet by the statue of the accordion player in La Plaza Park. Helmets mandatory. Bike safety is your responsibility.
Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with Wade Belew.
Cotati Creek Critters is restoring a native riparian plant community to a previously denuded flood-control channel. The current grant-funded project focuses on integrating understory plantings of native grasses, sedges, rushes and forbs beneath previously planted trees and shrubs. Topics include:
- Tools of the trade - Overview of restoration hand tools, including selecting, using, sharpening and repairing.
- Grow your own - Plant selection, basic propagation techniques, nursery tour
- Dig it - Tour of restoration site including a planting demonstration featuring biodegradable, recycled materials.
Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 12 NoonA real treat is in store for us today - a special Cotati Creek Critters' tour of Fairfield Osborn Preserve, Sonoma State University's 400+ acre biological field station used for education and research. Located on the northwestern slope of Sonoma Mountain just 7.5 miles from the campus, the Preserve contains the upper reach of Copeland Creek. With wildflowers peaking and neotropical migratory nesting bird activity in late April and early May, this tour promises to be memorable.
- Group size is limited to 12 participants. Call the Preserve office at 707-795-5069 to make reservations.
- What to bring: Bring drinking water and dress in long pants and sturdy hiking shoes. All participants must be able to walk 3 to 5 miles on narrow trails over uneven terrain.
- Meeting locations: La Plaza Park at 9:15 a.m. to arrange carpooling.
For more information about Fairfield Osborn Preserve visit their website.
Sunday, April 6, 9 a.m. What birds can we see and hear along the Laguna in Cotati in the spring time? Learn how to identify some of our local birds by flight patterns, movement, and song, from long-time Cotati resident and bird watcher John Dell’Osso. John Dell’Osso is Chief of Interpretation at Point Reyes National Seashore. He’s been recording the birds he has seen in Cotati for over 20 years. Meet by the statue of the accordion player in La Plaza Park, 9 a.m.
March 3, Monday, 7 p.m.
Water is essential to life. Humans depend on it for circulation, digestion, metabolism, and muscle movements. In dry climates, control over water is also one basic source of political power. How has the relationship between water and power shaped human life in California? Dr. Andy Roth will address this question by considering three different modes of water control, and their social consequences for California's history. This comparative, historical perspective helps us better respond to current dilemmas regarding water use here in Sonoma County. Dr. Roth is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Sonoma State University where he teaches classes in environmental sociology, sociological theory, language & society, sociology of religion, and documentary film. Free. Refreshments provided. 7 p.m., Cotati Community Center.
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February 4, Monday, 7 p.m.
The present and past geology of the North Bay area will be discussed. Topics include earthquake and volcanic hazards, past animal life of the Bay area, and major events in the local geologic past. Some discussion of the geologic future will also take place. The instructor, Dr. Rolfe Erickson, is a retired professor of Geology from Sonoma State University, with special interests in these topics. He is presently researching possible local meteorite falls and unusual metamorphic rock units around the town of Cazadero. Free. Refreshments provided. 7 p.m., Cotati Community Center.
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(take a look at the list of birds we saw on our outing!)
December 3, Monday, 7 p.m.
The western pond turtle is our only native local turtle species. Once common from the Mexican border all the way to Canada along the West Coast, these turtles are teetering on the edge of extinction in many areas of their former range. The main cause is loss of habitat, as urban and agricultural development has accelerated.
Right now Dr. Nick Geist, Associate Professor of Biology at Sonoma State University, is working with a group of SSU students and collaborators from county, state, and federal agencies to try to turn this situation around. His research aims to increase turtle populations in Sonoma County through captive breeding and elimination of introduced turtle predators like bullfrogs, as well as through habitat restoration. Dr. Geist has been working on the reproductive and metabolic physiology of dinosaurs, birds, crocodiles, and turtles for about the last 15 years, and has written numerous papers and articles on these subjects in a number of scientific journals. Free. Refreshments provided. 7 p.m., Cotati Community Center*.
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September 8, Saturday, 2 p.m.
with Frederique Lavoipierre.
Prepare to change your view of bugs and creepy crawlies! Did you know that 95% of all animal species on earth are insects, that less than 1% of insects are pests, and that without pollinating insects, there would be no apples, silk, oranges, berries, cotton or chocolate, among other things? Meet at 2 p.m. at the accordion player in La Plaza Park for a guided walk along the Laguna in Cotati, discovering intriguing insect life along the way.
   
Frederique Lavoipierre is a garden and nature freelance writer whose work has been published in Pacific Horticulture, Bay Nature, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and San Francisco Chronicle.
She offers lectures and workshops on biological and horticultural topics throughout Sonoma County and the Bay Area. She is currently working towards a master’s degree in biology at Sonoma State University, with an emphasis on garden ecology and entomology. |
August 6, Monday, 5.30 p.m. with Denise Cadman
A tour of the Laguna Treatment Plant with Denise Cadman, Natural Resource Specialist for the City of Santa Rosa. Meet at the accordion player in La Plaza Park to carpool to the Treatment Plant.
Please contact jenny@creeks.cotati.info or 707-792 4422 if you plan to come. |
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July 7, Saturday, 9 a.m. with Joe Honton.
Join Joe Honton, Data Manager for the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, for an exploratory walk to investigate possibilities for a future trail from Cotati along the Laguna to Sebastopol and beyond. Wear sturdy footwear, a hat, sunscreen, and bring water and a brown bag lunch. We’ll meet at 9 a.m. by the accordion player in La Plaza Park in Cotati to carpool to the starting point west of Hwy 101. Please contact jenny@creeks.cotati.info or 707-792 4422 if you plan to come. |
| Joe is co-author of “Enhancing and Caring for the Laguna,” a recently published plan and resource guide for restoring and managing the Laguna de Santa Rosa. |
June 4, Monday, 6 p.m.
Bring your bike for a ride along the creeks of Cotati and Rohnert Park . We’ll get glimpses of the hydrology and geology of the Southern Laguna with Cotati Creek Critters’ Stewardship Coordinator, Wade Belew, and retired SSU Geology professor, Rolfe Erickson. You are responsible for your own bicycle safety. Helmets required. Meet at 6 p.m. by the accordion player in La Plaza Park.
Read the related Community Voice article here.
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May 6, Sunday, 9 a.m. " with John Dell’Osso
John Dell’Osso has worked for the National Park Service for over 20 years, and is Chief of Interpretation & Resource Education at Point Reyes National Seashore. A long-time resident of Cotati, he has been keeping records of the birds he has spotted along the Laguna in Cotati for years. This is a great opportunity to learn about our local resident and migratory birds from a local expert. Meet at 9 a.m. by the accordion player in La Plaza Park.
Read the related Community Voice article here.
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