Beautiful, and so much more! Trees are drama in slow motion, mystery in plain sight. Learn to identify the many tree species of Bear Valley while learning their stories and relationships, strengths and vulnerabilities. This will be a low-exertion walk with the chance to meet a great variety of trees.

Trees/ shrubs could include:

–Douglas-fir

–California bay laurel

–Blue gum eucalyptus

–Madrone

–Coast live oak

–Coyote brush

–Red elderberry

–Willow

–Coffeeberry

–Red alder

Topics could include:

–How do trees grow and repair themselves?

–What’s the deal with mycorrhizae?

–What are the different strategies for surviving fire?

–How have human activities impacted the vegetation of Bear Valley?

–How do the different trees reproduce, and how is that going?

–What are landscape disturbances, and are they good or bad?

–All-time greatest hits “What’s that thing in the tree?” and “What’s this thing I found on the ground?”

We’ll meet at the Red Barn classroom to learn a little bit about Bear Valley. Then we’ll walk a two- to three-mile loop of the Earthquake and Kule Loklo trails, and perhaps the Woodpecker Trail as a bonus. Terrain is mostly flat with some uphill. For any specific accessibility questions, please contact instructor at naomi.sorbet@gmail.com

Naomi Sorbet loves plants and their relationships and functions within ecosystems. Her fascination, sparked by an elementary school trip to Point Reyes, resulted in studying Environmental Sciences and Forestry at UC Berkeley. Currently, she advocates for landscaping with locally-native plants as an easy way to support biodiversity where we live. Naomi is a frequent hiker and backpacker and has worked in urban and sustainable forestry, environmental education and, habitat restoration in the Sierra Nevada and around the Bay.

Photo Credit: Avani Fachon

Details

-We will meet at the Red Barn Classroom

– Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in

– Refunds available for all classes 7 days in advance of the start date, after 7 days and before 2 days, participants can credit their class for a future date. All requests before 48 hours in advance will be declined. For COVID policy, see below.

– Please follow the parking instructions for the facility used that day

– Please provide an email you check regularly for updates and reminders about your class

– Registration is required online prior to the event in order to maintain class sizes

– Sales end 48 hours before the start date.

– Waitlists are available when the class sells out

What to Bring

Day Pack

Lunch

Warm Variable Weather Clothing

Hiking Shoes

Water Bottle

Notebook and Pen/Field Journal

Eventbrite Confirmation Email

Binoculars (Optional)

Camera (Optional)

About the PRNSA Field Institute

The PRNSA Field Institute offers hands-on environmental education classes throughout the year that foster enjoyment of Point Reyes National Seashore. Our classes are led by expert instructors, who take you out of your everyday life and into the natural world. We host a variety of classes about the arts and sciences and have something for everyone. You can reach the Field Institute at (415) 663-1200 x304 or by email at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.

Interested in becoming a member of PRNSA? Click Here!

Interested in becoming a PRNSA Field Institute volunteer facilitator, or are you an outdoor educator or artist who would like to teach a PRNSA Field Institute class? Send an Email!

For any questions, please email us at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.

COVID-19 Field Institute Guidelines

Please respect the following COVID-19 procedures:

• Perform a health self-check before coming to class using the CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus as a guide

• Do not attend class if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, know that you have had a close exposure, or are suffering from any flu-like or respiratory illness

• Contact the Field Institute if you will not be able to attend due to COVID. You may be eligible to receive a full or partial refund

• Participants exhibiting signs of respiratory illness may be asked to leave class

• Masks are optional at your discretion

• Please bring your own food and water

All guidelines are subject to change pursuant to State or County Health order updates.

Thank you for your cooperation in following these guidelines to help keep everyone safe.