Beautiful. Sustainable. Sonoma.
Since 1990, we’ve worked to increase appreciation and stewardship of Sonoma Valley’s natural heritage and create measurable benefits in areas of land, water, climate change and biodiversity.
Upcoming Events
Spaces filling fast! Register now: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2900970
Creek Camp
July 24-28, 2017Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
9:00am to 3:00pm
Ages 8 to 12
Cost: $260 SEC members/$300 non-members
Traverse the headwaters of Sonoma Creek Watershed in this recreational and environmental education camp. Campers will spend the week as junior scientists, starting off the day with morning hikes on the parks trails. As the day warms, well stay close to water, exploring the creeks for insects and amphibians, and well cap each day off with visits from local naturalists. Activities include investigating the properties of water, collecting and studying aquatic insects, learning about the wildlife and plants found in the park. Visits from wildlife centers, bird watchers, and astronomers will be included throughout the week. Our camp days will also consist of plenty of games, crafts, and storytelling.
The three seasonal series (six classes each) are designed for everyone from total beginners to experienced amateur observers. Whether you want to learn the constellations or have a telescope and want to expand your knowledge of viewing objects, these classes have something for you.
The focus is on learning the night sky in a “geographic” sense…locating yourself in our solar system, our Milky Way and our local galaxy cluster neighborhoods!
A few constellations are introduced in each class—their myths, history and interesting stars. We also cover deep sky objects such as the beautiful nebulae and clusters that never cease to awe and amaze.
After each class (sky conditions permitting), we go outside to locate the constellations just presented. We then move to the Observatory’s telescopes to view objects within the featured constellations, until or beyond 10:30 PM (11:30 PM daylight time).
Basic topics are repeated in each series so that concepts become familiar. Persons who take all three Night Sky series (18 classes in all) will learn the entire sky viewable from our northern latitude. (The winter sky is split between the Fall and Spring Series).
Fee:
Help us keep our trails clear of brush and free of mud and rocks and assiste with construction and maintenance projects such as painting and building repair. Meet at the White Barn at 9:00. Tools provided, no experience needed. And lunch included!
Volunteers like you make the difference at Sugarloaf.
To RSVP and if you have questions email john@sonomaecologycenter.org
Join us on Saturdays for our seasonal Harvest Market! Veggies and fruits come straight from our garden, and we also have amazing eggs, local olive oil, lavender and beautiful bouquets of flowers. Do your shopping and then enjoy a stroll around the Park!
Have you heard about Shinrin Yoku or “Forest bathing”? Here is an opportunity to take a walk, and experience the practice for yourself. Learn techniques to maximize the health benefits and stress reducing qualities, of this walking practice. Led by certified ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) practitioners.
Shinrin yoku translates as “forest bathing” or Forest Therapy, (an immersion in the beneficial influences of nature), and is a practice that originated in Japan and is gaining popularity in the United States as well as internationally for it’s documented Health benefits. This practice takes “a walk in the woods” to another level. A very centering and calming restorative practice, promoting balance and restored vitality through a quality of presence and heightened sensory awareness. Recent articles have been written up in Oprah, Time Magazine, and National Geographic, as well as numerous other publications.Check the links below for more information about the practice and in specific it’s restorative support for emotional calm, meditation, balance,
Check the links below for more information about the practice and in specific it’s restorative support for emotional calm, meditation, balance, blood pressure, cardio, cholesterol, sleep/anxiety, and stress reduction.
Come experience what all the interest is about. Sugarloaf State Park hosts a Forest Therapy Series as part of its Parks RX program. The last Saturday of each month 9:30 to 12:30 May through November.
I was learning to slow down and use all my senses to take in nature. After the walk, I noticed a feeling of peace and well-being
Links for more information: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2914032
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