Join Mary Good on a hike exploring the Medicinal and Edible plants of the park. Weaving in natural history, ethnobotany, herbalism and folktales, this walk will open your senses, as well as your curiosity to the abundance of plantlore in Sonoma County. 9:30 AM to 1 PM. Be prepared for a 2 to 3 mile walk with a 300 foot climb. Meet at the visitors center. $10.00 per adult, 18 and under free. Parking fees still apply. Edible plant information is for educational purposes only. Foraging is illegal in CA State Parks.

Purchase tickets here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4029785

The Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) is open to the public at least once a month, usually on a Saturday near the time of the New Moon (see schedule at left).

Daytime Solar: Solar telescopes are set up so you can safely look at and listen to our favorite star, the Sun.

For more information, visit: rfo.org

The Robert Ferguson Observatory: Both peaked roofs roll back to reveal the telescopes inside.
The dome opens and revolves with its telescope. The tall poles attached to the sides of the building
are part of RFO’s radio astronomy set-up that allows us to listen to the Sun. Photo: Mark Hillestad

The Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) is open to the public at least once a month, usually on a Saturday near the time of the New Moon.

Star Parties: Presentations on astronomical topics are given in the classroom throughout the course of the evening. Starting at dusk, the Observatory’s three main telescopes are open for your viewing. Docents set up additional telescopes in front of the building. Friendly and knowledgeable docents are available to answer your questions.

FAQs:

1. Map and Directions
2. When to arrive: We keep the observatory open as long as there are visitors, but you must arrive within 3 hours after start time to ensure that we remain open for you. Summer Star Parties begin with tours and presentations until it’s dark enough for observing.
3. Bring warm clothing, even in summer—observing is done outdoors.
4. There is a short walk from the parking area to the Observatory and you may wish to bring a small flashlight.
5. White Light: No white lights should be used after dark; the observatory is a red-light-only area to protect everyone’s night vision. We will supply red cellophane to cover flashlights. Please note:
   ◦ Bring a SMALL flashlight (large camp lanterns, light sticks, etc., cannot be adequately covered by red cellophane).
   ◦ Cell phones or cell-phone flashlights are acceptable but must be covered in red cellophane. (No cell service at the observatory).
   ◦ Some head lamps are difficult to cover with red cellophane. Once covered, head lamps should be worn around the neck or used pointing down as they are usually very bright at eye level.
   ◦ Red flashlights are available for $5 at the observatory.
6. Alcohol is prohibited on Observatory grounds.
7. The Observatory is not open to the public except for scheduled events.

Classroom presentations are always offered on Star Party nights even if the weather is poor. For current conditions call the observatory at 707/833-6979.
For more info please visit Robert Ferguson Observatory Website: http://www.rfo.org/.

Have you wanted to learn how to take beautiful close-up shots of flowers? Join us!

What to Bring:

-Camera with 50mm or longer lens. 80mm-100mm is ideal.

-Smartphone with photography app. Camera+2 for the iPhone has a great macro setting. We will talk about how to post-process these images on the phone as well.

If you will be using a point and shoot or DSLR, make sure your memory card has sufficient capacity and your battery is charged.

Class limited to 12 people.

We will meet at the visitor center at 9 am to talk about camera settings and composition and then carpool to the closest access point. You can email Bob Long goyoung55@yahoo.com with questions.

Purchase tickets here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4198327

Fiesta de estrellas
Viernes 12 de abril
¡Venga a conocer más acerca de nuestro universo! Los docentes de el observatorio Ferguson nos guiarán en una charla astronómica bilingüe  y en el uso de telescopios para que usted y su familia puedan observar el cosmos. El evento comenzará a las ocho de la noche en el observatorio del parque estatal Sugarloaf. Recomendamos vestirse en capas y traer una linterna pequeña. Si tiene un telescopio propio, le invitamos a traerlo. La admisión es de $5 para adultos y gratuito para los menores de edad,  El estacionamiento es $10 por vehículo. Contacte a Alma en alma@sonomaecologycenter.org con preguntas o llame al (707) 833-5712.

Star Party (en español)
Friday April 12th
Come learn more about our universe! Robert Ferguson Observatory docents will guide us in a bilingual astronomical talk and in the use of telescopes for you and your family to observe the cosmos. The event begins at 8 p.m. in the Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. We recommend wearing layers and bringing a small flashlight. If you have your own telescope, feel free to bring it! Admission is $5 for adults, free for minors. Parking is $10 per vehicle. Contact Alma at alma@sonomaecologycenter.org or call (707) 833-5712 with questions.

Want to do a through hike from Sugarloaf to Hood Mountain or vice versa? Ride the Sugar-Hood Shuttle.

How it works
Every half hour our Shuttle will leave from either Sugarloaf Park or Hood Mountain Regional Park’s Pythian Road Parking Lot. Make a reservation and then ride to the other end of the trail, or hike and ride back. Riding first and hiking back to your car is the easiest way – no worries about how long you take to finish your adventure.

——–CHECK OUR TIMETABLES HERE———
https://sugarloafpark.org/events/sugar-shuttle-2019/

We recommend a reservation, but you can ride on a space available basis as well.

The hike should take 3.5 to 4.5 hours.

Map: https://www.sonomaecologycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Shuttle_Sugarloaf_HoodMtn_Map.pdf

The distance is about 7.4 miles with approximately 2300 foot vertical climb.

Suggested donation of $10. Register: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4049820