Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden provides a close-by opportunity for Valley students to experience nature with the contrast of urban interface and the beginning of wild lands. The site affords opportunities for birding, with the well-cared for collection of native plants. Discussion of preserving natural habitats near local population centers can be coupled with the need for wildfire protection to extend this legacy into the future.

Nature art is often a focal part of our program at the site where we take advantage of picnic tables to focus small groups on learning about nature from hands-on contact and expression of appreciation for nature. Learning proper use of binoculars before an in-field birding experience enhances the success of being able to find and focus on the range of birds.

Easily accessible to Goleta and Santa Barbara schools, Goleta Butterfly Grove is a delicate resource available for educational presentation of the Monarch butterfly migration and how it culminates with over-winter gathering in preparation for the spring breeding. Butterflies coursing hundreds of miles north for the warm months begin the inter-generational story that brings their third generation off-spring back each winter here at Elwood. While the larger mid-west to Mexico corridor of Monarchs is ever more threatened by pesticides and de-forestation, this western group provides comparisons in geographic forces bearing on one of the last great migrations on the planet.

Historical eucalyptus, local native plants and invasive plants provide lessons in habitat and preservation on land that overlays an important geological fault and a base for exploring the broad geological features of Santa Barbara County from the Channel Islands to the Santa Ynez Range. On the beach we are able to study tides, the coastal zone habitat and the geology of the Monterey formation in the cliffs as it relates to local oil industry and the basin and range visibly evident in this location.

Trails at Gaviota State Park parallel the historical crossroads of Santa Barbara County where native-Americans traveled from the islands, the ocean and foothills to the interior as far as the Sierra and back to trade diverse resources and goods from across these geographic areas. Unique geology created the Gaviota Canyon that has been used for eons as a corridor for human travel from footpaths to state highway and railroad. The same corridor is the pathway for an exchange of wildlife and plants represented in multiple habitats including coastal strand, chaparral, coastal sage, oak woodland, grassland, as well as riparian/marsh areas. The rich diversity of plants and animals affords opportunity to explore their relationship with this unique geographic area.

We take lessons here from the geology and weather, especially influenced by the geographic configuration of nearby Point Conception and the influence of the Channel Islands with ocean currents and landmass air movement. Because elevation changes and the varied coastal influence, there is an enormous variety of plants closely arrayed by habitat allowing comparisons between habitats and seasonal changes. Short walking distances yield huge variety in observations about the natural history in this locale and how it compares to the wider county.

Camp Whittier is a 50 acre gem near Cachuma Lake with hidden trails and a rich geology on the edge of the valley and the north side of the Santa Ynez Range. Large fields provide room for group activities and ridge tops afford long views for bird watching and exploration of the wide variety of native plants. Tracks of wild animals provide insight into the ways wildlife move and predators hunt in the area.

Seasonal streams flowing to the lake provides a source the source of lessons on watershed, the water cycle, along with riparian habitat and erosion issues. Native plants include valley oak and coastal live oak close together, providing a ready comparison. Toyon, mule fat, monkey flower and seasonal wildflowers are among natives in the area. Deer, wild turkey and other wild birds are often seen on the property.

Where the river flows through Solvang, long-standing pools are formed and riparian habitat supports unique flora and fauna in the system strikingly different from the surrounding valley and hills. Here we look at the geology of the watershed that extends 90 miles through the full catchment. The geology of erosion including material dispersion and local rock formation can be studied here. The steelhead restoration project is a part of the history of this river system that includes the story of the migratory oceangoing fish and the conservation efforts to maintain their habitat. We usually see migratory and residential birds. Short trails provide opportunities for discovering local plants including mule fat, Willow, coyote bush, and Cottonwood.

Located west of Santa Barbara between Refugio and Gaviota State Beaches, the steep canyon affords students the opportunity to see native trees and plants in an undisturbed community of sycamores, ancient oak trees, bay Laurel and sages. Included in this habitat are many species that are considered threatened or endangered. This narrow canyon provides an interesting geology with ocean views visible from the trails among the unique landforms. The history here includes a Chumash village as well as a stagecoach stop. The Arroyo Hondo story of selection by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County provides lessons on conservation of local natural habitats set aside for learning opportunities and research.

Arroyo Hondo Preserve field trips – limited availability, refer to calendar for available dates

This site in western Goleta provides easy access to geological formations, beach activities, marine life, and marine fossils. Here the Monterey geological formation is clearly evident and provides opportunities to discuss oil production while viewing the offshore oil platform Holly. Foraminifera, microscopic animals, were abundant in the Monterey shales creating the fossil fuels we use today. Fault lines, beautiful bedrock along with sea cut mesas are among the geological features readily available here. Migratory birds make an appearance along the shore and in the offshore kelp forest, which also affords material for art projects and learning about marine life. The watershed that ends at this beach demonstrates erosion process and sedimentation along with the cliffs and the cut banks as examples of the entire rock cycle. The limited catchment above the beach is interesting to contrast with the lengthier Santa Ynez Valley. Our field trips to Haskell’s Beach are often coupled with time at Ellwood Butterfly Reserve, where we study the migratory patterns of the monarch butterfly. Also available at these sites are the contrasting exotic plants and native plants including eucalyptus, coyote bush, willow, mule fat and annual forbes.

A nearby location for Santa Ynez Valley, the Bridge outside Solvang and the pools along river above and below the dam are rich in riparian habitat. From waterfowl to songbirds, the avian population varies with the seasons. In the water are found turtles, frogs and crayfish as well as the tiny denizens of the river bottom. Riparian foliage lines the banks providing homes and habitat for mammals and birds that live here or pass through in migration. Sandy bars read like newspapers with the prints of the wildlife passing since the last high water or rain. A place to learn about the water cycle, erosion, with the movement of rocks over time and the importance of water to the community becomes evident in this easily accessible location. Cattails, willows, sycamore and cottonwoods line the watercourse where the fabric of nature is sustained on the edge of the residential area of Solvang. With the available water, the river is one of the favorite locations among Nature Track adventurers.

Treewalks – An outdoor adventure without boarding a bus!

Docents from the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society offer free “Treewalks” to students in grades 4 through 8. These nature walks, which can be 50 minutes or longer, depending on class schedules, explore the natural and cultural history associated with a variety of trees that are found on, or near, each school’s campus. As a convenience for you, NatureTrack will coordinate your Treewalk with the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society.

Located in Santa Barbara County, Midland School Trails is one of the best locations for NatureTrack  “adventures.” With over 35 trails and dirt roads on  2,860 acres, NatureTrack  can offer a variety of  “adventures” for students from exceptional geology  lessons crossing a 100 – million year old fault, seeing  examples of plate tectonics, to exploring multiple  habitats, and more, including studying the Native  Indians on the site Soxtono kmu, which was the  largest Chumash Village in the Santa Ynez Valley.  Learning comes alive on the Midland School Trails!

Midland School Trails are nestled between the Los Padres National Forest, the largest national forest in the state, and adjacent to the San Rafael Wilderness Area, home of the Manzana River and its tributaries. Meadows, creeks, cliffs, canyons, and ridgelines; yucca, sycamores, oaks, sage, and poppies; coyotes, wild pigs, wild turkeys, owls, hawks, and eagles; a perfect location to connect with the natural world on one of many NatureTrack “adventures.”  The sense of place a student develops at Midland is invaluable and enduring.

Midland is not available from August 15 through September 15.

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

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