Join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. The hike starts outside the Visitor Center. Free. Registration is not required. Parking charges apply.
¡Estás invitado a nuestra aventura de Animales! Recorreremos los senderos Meadow y Hillside (2 millas) en busca de señales hechas por animales. Aprendemos sobre la comida y el comportamiento de algunos animales comúnmente encontrados en el parque como osos, culebras, y murciélagos. Nos reuniremos en el estacionamiento del granero blanco. Trae agua, repelente de insectos o una playera de mangas largas, un suéter, protector solar, y si lo deseas, un bocadillo.
Los boletos requieren un deposito de $10 por familia, los cuales devolveremos al final del evento. Para registrarse, llame a Alma al 707 833 5712 de viernes a domingo entre las 9am a 5pm. El estacionamiento, normalmente $10, es gratuito para este evento. Hay transportación disponible por vale para residentes del Valle de Sonoma que la necesiten.
Facilidad de acesso: no recomendado para silla de ruedas o carriolas. Los senderos Meadow y Hillside son caminos de grava para vehículos autorizados. Subiremos dos colinas de 100 pies de elevación y cruzaremos la cala un riachuelo. Carriolas o sillas de ruedas pueden avanzar alrededor de una milla en el sendero Meadow, el cual no es oficialmente un sendero ADA.
Este evento es respaldado por Route to Parks, una beca de Parks California.
La propuesta alianza de múltiples partícipes exclusiva a Parks California fortalece a comunidades mientras fomenta el amor y el cuidado de tierras públicas. La beca “Route to Parks” de $15,000 ayudará a que más gente tenga acceso a los recursos necesarios para vivir una vida sana fuera del programa Senderos Naturales. Parks California fué fundada como una organización asociada clave sin fines lucrativos asociada clave con el Departamento de Parques y Recreación del Estado de California para ayudar a fortalecer e inspirar a todos a presenciar estos lugares extraordinarios.
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English: Animals in Sugarloaf
Saturday, August 13, 6:30-8pm
You’re invited to our Animal adventure! We’ll take a walk on Meadow and Hillside trails in search of signs and tracks made by animals commonly found in the park including bears, snakes, and bats. We’ll meet at the White Barn lot. Be prepared to walk approximately 1 mile. Bring plenty of water, insect repellent or long sleeves, a sweater, sun protection, and if desired, a snack.
Tickets require a $10 deposit per family to be refunded after the hike. To register, call Alma at 707 833 5712 Friday-Sunday from 9am-5pm. Parking fees, usually $10, will be waived for this event. We have vouchers for Sonoma Valley residents in need of transportation.
This event is planned around a primarily Latino audience. Families from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome.
Ease of access: The entire walk is not recommended for strollers or wheelchairs. Meadow and Hillside trails are fire roads with two 100-foot hills and a small stream crossing. Meadow is passable by strollers or wheelchair up to the bridge, about a mile in, but is not officially an ADA trail.
Senderos Naturales is supported by Route to Parks, a grant of Parks California.
Parks California’s unique multi-stakeholder partnership approach strengthens communities while fostering love and stewardship of public lands. The Route to Parks grant of $15,000 will help more people have access to the resources they need to lead a healthy life outside Senderos Naturales. Parks California was founded as a key nonprofit partner of the California Department of Parks and Recreation to help strengthen and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places.
Many people know birds are most active at dawn, but dusk is second daily peak of bird activity, and you don’t have to be an early-bird to experience it. Join Dr. Dan Levitis at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park for a slow, wheelchair-accessible excursion designed for those new to bird-watching. Bring binoculars if you have them, but we’ll have a few pairs to lend, and will be doing as much listening as looking. By the time we finish it will be dark, so in addition to water, consider bringing a flashlight and a jacket. Tickets are $10. Meet at the White Barn lot. Parking fees apply.
Ease of access: the entire event will take place on the Creekside Nature Trail, our 0.9mi ADA-accessible trail. Some benches available along the way for resting for those who need them.
Every 3rd Friday of the month from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm we welcome existing and new volunteers for a fun morning of work and community building at Sonoma Garden Park. Depending on the season activities include prepping fields, planting, harvesting, weeding, pruning trees and prepping produce for the seasonal Saturday Harvest market.
Join us for a fun opportunity to enjoy the bounty of each season, and to share and learn from other gardeners. Existing and new volunteers encouraged to attend—no experience is necessary! Please be sure to bring your gardening gloves, hat, SPF and water. At noon you will be happy to enjoy a light garden fresh lunch at our shady picnic area provided by Sonoma Ecology Center as a thank you to our wonderful volunteers!
Storytelling is humanity’s oldest artform, likely originating before the cave paintings of the Stone Age. This summer we introduce “Sugarloaf Perspectives”, a storytelling series that brings new voices and people to the park while teaching about the natural environment. Every other Saturday, instead of our regular family campfire, we will have a Perspective.
On 6/25, world-renowned multi-disciplinary artist Bernie Krause will present how sound became his life-long pursuit, and how it applies to conservation.
On 7/23, Megan Walla-Murphy re-introduces bear culture to Sonoma County.
CANCELLED: On 8/6, we’ll learn about the secret lives of Alma and Arsel, leaders of the Senderos Naturales program.
On 8/20, we welcome Desi Harp, member of the Onasáti tribe (mistakenly called “guapo” by the Spanish and “wappo” by Anglo-American settlers) to regale us with song, dance, and the story of creation.
On 9/3 we are left gasping from laughter induced by SEC’s Educator Johny Ehlers, and finally, on 9/10, Sonoma Ecology Center’s ED Richard Dale and Park Manager John Roney relate how a partnership between non-profits, community, and government led to today’s operation of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Tickets are $20. Meet at the amphitheater. We invite you to show up earlier than 7pm for a self-guided nature walk or picnic prior to the event. Parking fees apply.
Join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. The hike starts outside the Visitor Center. Free. Registration is not required. Parking charges apply.
Help Sugarloaf with trail restoration work. Work includes bridge and step construction, installing signs, clearing, lifting, carrying and hiking. Bring gloves, hat, and water that you can carry hands-free (i.e. bring a backpack). Wear long pants, boots or sturdy shoes and sunscreen. Poison oak is present, so long sleeves are suggested. We have tools and trained crew leaders with tasks for all. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We will provide tools, and if allowed, lunch.
If you are a current Sugarloaf volunteer, log in to Better Impact to sign up. Otherwise, start here to become a volunteer.
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.
You must have a ticket to attend, as well as proof of vaccination or a negative rapid test taken within the last 48 hours.
FAQs:
- Map and Directions
- 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.
- Bring warm clothing, even in summer—observing is done outdoors.
- There is a short walk from the parking area to the Observatory and you may wish to bring a small flashlight.
- 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. - Alcohol is prohibited on Observatory grounds.
- 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 the Robert Ferguson Observatory website.
The practice of Forest Therapy has been shown to improve health and well-being.
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. Shinrin-yoku originated in Japan and is gaining popularity in the United States for its documented health benefits.
This practice takes a walk in the woods to another level. A centering and calming restorative practice, it promotes 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. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park hosts a Forest Therapy Series as part of its ParkRx Program the 4th Saturday of each month. These walks are led by certified Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) practitioners. Visit natureandforesttherapy.earth for more info about this practice.
Tickets are $20 or free with a July 2022 or newer ParkRx from a Sonoma County Medical Provider (click here for ParkRx info).
We are offering a morning (9:30am-12:30pm) and afternoon (2-5pm) session for every date except for 8/27. Tickets are valid only for the date and time purchased.
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