Are you missing your sense of trust, safety, your home or beloved trees? This event is for anyone who still feels they are suffering negative effects from our recent fires or floods.

This walk honoring loss and resilience is a gentle Forest Bathing Walk designed to help those recovering from the traumatic impact of our natural disasters. This sensory immersion experience, inspired by the Japanese practice, Shinrin Yoku, has the potential to restore a sense of calm, safety and inner peace.

Leader, Susan Karle, combines her expertise in grief and trauma with her passion for partnering with Nature to provide optimal health.

Participants  will experience:
* A leisurely stroll of less than 1 mile on a well maintained trail.
* A series of Invitations to enliven your sense of smell, sound, sight…
* Sharing circles to enhance the connection to Nature and each other.

These free events are sponsored by Healthcare Foundation of North Sonoma County with parking fees generously waived and event assistance provided by Sonoma Ecology Center/ Team Sugarloaf.
If your plans change and you’re unable to participate, please let us know two days prior so we can give your spot to someone else.

Sat 8/31 and Thursdays 9/19, 10/17 & 11/21. 10 AM – 12:15 PM.You are welcome to sign up for more than one. More info sent upon registration.

Our popular Beginning Hiking for Fitness Series en español.

Empezando en octubre, nuestro programa de excursiones para fomentar la aptitud física será ofrecida en español. Los guías le guiarán en una series de ocho caminatas semanales para excursionistas principiantes. Cada excursión aumentará en dificultad o duración.

Las excursiones seguirán la mismas rutas que el programa en inglés:

1. 5 de octubre: nos reuniremos en el granero blanco y caminaremos a Urano. 2.2 millas, 80 pies de elevación.
2. 12 de octubre: circuito Meadow- Hillside, empezando en el granero blanco y terminando en el campamento. 3 millas, 250 pies de elevación.
3. 19 de octubre: caminaremos el circuito del Lago Ralphine en el Parque Regional Spring Lake. El punto de reunión es el estacionamiento donde empieza el sendero Cobblestone (6024 Channel Dr, Santa Rosa, CA, 95409) 4.3 millas, 250 pies de elevación.
4. 28 de octubre: circuito Stern/ Pony Gate/ Canyon. 3 millas, 500 pies de elevación. Reunirse en el estacionamiento principal.
5. 2 de noviembre: circuito May’s Clearing en el Parque Estatal Jack London. 3.7 millas, 430 pies de elevación. Reunirse en el estacionamiento superieror en 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, CA, 95442.
6. 9 de noviembre: circuito de los senderos Lower Bald/ Vista/ Meadow. 3.6 millas, 700 pies de elevación. Reunirse afuera del granero blanco.
7. 16 de noviembre: mesa de picnic en el planeta Neptuno. 4.3 millas, 640 pies de elevación. Reunirse afuera del granero blanco.
8. 23 de noviembre: circuito de los senderos Hillside y Vista. 4.7 millas, mil pies de elevación. Reunirse afuera del granero blanco.

Usualmente $80, esta series y el estacionamiento son gratuitos. A menos a que sea mencionado, todas las excursiones son los sábados, a las nueve de la mañana en el Parque Estatal Sugarloaf Ridge. Por favor regístrese en: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4347253
Para más información, mande un correo electrónico a alma@sonomaecologycenter.org

¡Esperamos verl@s!

Choose your own adventure! Part of our Hiking for Fitness program, these free, moderate-to-strenuous group hikes are geared to keep you motivated through the cold season. No RSVP needed, but parking fees apply. Maintenance Hikes are every second and fourth Saturday.

Susan Topf’s Yoga Hike balances a mix of easy hiking and gentle yoga postures, breath work and guided meditation. No mat necessary. Please wear weather appropriate clothing to feel comfortable being in a natural setting and bring water (as needed). Route varies on weather conditions and group interest that typically covers 2-3 miles of varied terrain. Cost is $20 and includes parking if registered in advance online. Purchase the yoga pass for each group of 3 sessions this year and save $10. All levels and ages welcome. Meet at the Visitor’s Center unless otherwise noted in confirmation email prior to the hike.

Tickets – https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3913399

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/.

Need some extra time to finish up cooking for the big day? Or just get the kids out of the house over Thanksgiving break? We’ve got you covered at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park with our upcoming Day Camp. Join the Sugarloaf Staff for a day of fun, learning and outdoor activity. Based on our summer Creek Camp, we plan on having a nature hike and learning about the creatures of the park. And we will end the day with s’mores and hot chocolate. The camp will be based out of the Visitors Center. Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $40, or $20 for Sugarloaf members or for a second child from the same family. For ages 7 to 12.

Registration: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4419485