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Stewards partners with archeologists, biologists, botanists, geologists, historians, naturalists and other skilled educators, State Parks staff and volunteers to offer Educational Seminars. These seminars are designed to educate members of the public and prepare docents for volunteering with the State Parks "Volunteer in Parks" Programs.
Community members and visitors will find these seminars to be very enlightening and may attend for a small fee of $15 per seminar which helps cover the cost of our professional trainers.
This year, Docents willing to make a regular volunteer commitment are asked for a $5 donation. The commitment for each program varies depending on whether the program is seasonal or year-round. All new volunteers are required to attend ONE of the general orientation sessions. Stewards' members may also attend seminars for a $5 donation.
Volunteer Information
Online Reservation Form for Orientations and Seminars
2010 Community Education Seminars - 2011 Schedule will be available in October 2010.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED - To register for seminars you can use our easy Online Reservation Form. Time and location details will be confirmed upon registration. To receive further information please contact: Ruby Herrick, Programs Manager, at rherrick@mcn.org or (707) 869-9177 ext. 1#.
The codes appearing in blue after each seminar indicate to which VIP programs it is associated.
Whale Watch (WW)
Seal Watch (SW)
Armstrong Tour Guides and Environmental Education Program (ARTG and AREE)
Armstrong Visitor Center and Sonoma Coast Visitor Center (ARVC and JVC)
Armstrong/Austin Creek Public Assistance Patrols (APA)
Tidepool Program (TP)
Willow Creek Watershed Education Program (WC)
Sonoma Coast Environmental Living Program (ELP)
Sonoma Coast Docents (SCD)
Sonoma Coast Stewardship Opportunities (SCS)
State Parks Volunteer Docent/Stewards General Orientation – Session 1
Saturday, January 9
9:00-11:30am
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
(Lunch Break)
Cultural History of Armstrong Redwoods/Austin Creek State Recreation Area
12:30-3:30pm
Instructors: Doris Dickenson and Carmen Finley (local historians and authors)
John Schubert (local Russian River historian and author)
Learn about the history of this fascinating area from the pioneer days (1840) to the early 1900s. Topics include logging, railroads and the old mines in the area as well as a detailed biography of Colonel James B. Armstrong and his family.
Recommended for: ARVC, ARTG, AREE, APA
Principles of Interpretation
Saturday, January 16
10:00am-12:30pm
Instructors: Rich Lawton (retired State Park Ranger)
Mike Wisehart (State Park Interpreter)
(Lunch Break)
Interpretation with Children
Saturday, January 16
1:00-3:30pm
Instructor: David Berman (Environmental Educator)
In the morning the art of effective and engaging interpretation will be discussed and demonstrated for new docents. The afternoon session will focus on interpretive techniques to use with children. Be prepared for an exciting day both in the classroom and outdoors.
Highly Recommended for: All programs
Redwood Ecology
Saturday, January 23
9:30am-12:00pm
Instructor: Brendan O’Neil (State Parks Environmental Scientist)
Redwood ecology is a fascinating science; from the soil to the canopy the Coast Redwoods Sequoia sempervirens) have a wonderful story to tell.
(Lunch Break)
Armstrong Tour Guides & Visitor Center Logistics
1:00-3:00pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Recommended for: ARVC, ARTG, AREE, APA, ELP
Geology of Sonoma Coast
Saturday, February 6
Noon to 4:00pm
(includes lunch break)
Instructor: Rebecca Perlroth, Geology Instructor, Department Chair, SRJC, Earth and Space Sciences Dept.
This seminar will take place at Shell Beach and Bodega Head. Learn about the geologic formations, landforms, geologic history, plate tectonics, and their significance on the Sonoma Coast.
Recommended for: SCD, TP, ELP, JVC
Environmental Living Program Logistics
9:00 to 11:30am
Pinnipeds
Saturday, February 13
9:00am-11:00am
Instructor: Dr. Sarah Allen (Senior Science Advisor, National Park Service Pt. Reyes)
Learning about the pinnipeds (seals) on Sonoma Coast from Dr. Allen is always a treat. This expanded seminar with include information about harbor seals, sea lions and elephant seals.
Sonoma Coast Birdlife
11:00-12:00pm
Instructor: Mary Follis (Seal Watch mentor and trainer)
An outstanding introduction to coastal bird life.
(Lunch Break)
Seal Watch Program Logistics
1:00-3:30pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Recommended for: SW, WW, JVC, TP, SCD, ELP, SCS
Tidepool Orientation
Saturday, February 27
10:00am-12:30pm
(Lunch Break)
Intertidal Exploration
1:30pm -4pm (beach to be determined)
Instructor: Karl Menard (Aquatic Resources Management, Bodega Marine Lab)
Join a lively session of tidepool exploration and learn techniques for interpreting this fragile resource with the public, especially children. For the afternoon session, please dress in layers; bring waterproof boots and a change of clothes.
Recommended for: TP, JVC, SCD, ELP, SCS
Natural and Cultural History of Willow Creek
Saturday, March 6
12:00-4:00pm
Instructors: Brendan O'Neil (State Park Environmental Scientist) & Marianne Hurley (State Parks Historian)
Review the natural and cultural history of this important watershed and learn about the steps being taken to restore it as a viable salmonid habitat. Seminar will take place both in class and in the field. Be prepared for all weather conditions.
(Lunch Break)
Watershed Education Program Logistics and Training
9:00-11:30am
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Recommended for: WC, SCS, SCD, ELP, JVC
State Parks Volunteer Docent/Stewards General Orientation – Session 2
Saturday, March 20
9:00-11:30 am
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
(Lunch Break)
Plant ID Hike at Armstrong Redwoods
12:30-2:30pm
Instructors: Joyce Bacci (Docent), Keith Nelson (Docent) and Norman Hill (Docent)
Discover the plants and wildflowers of Armstrong Redwoods on an easy hike.
Recommended for: ARVC, ARTG, AREE, APA, ELP
 Archeology and History of Sonoma Coast
Saturday, March 27
9:00am-2:00pm (with lunch break)
Instructor: Breck Parkman, State Park Archeologist
Travel back in time and learn about the changes that have taken place from an archeological and historic perspective on the Sonoma Coast. Learn about the different cultural groups that influenced the lands they lived and worked on: the Kashaya Pomo, Russian Fur Company, ranching families and the loggers.
Jenner Visitors Center Logistics
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Recommended for: SCD, ELP, JVC, TP
Wildlife of Western Sonoma County
Saturday, April 10
9:30-12:30pm
Instructor: Mike Wisehart (State Park Interpreter)
Learn about the fauna, from banana slugs to mountain lions
inhabiting the wild lands of our forests, woodlands and grasslands.
Recommended for: ARVC, ARTG, AREE, APA, JVC, SCD, ELP
Wildflower and Plant ID on the Sonoma Coast
Saturday, May 15
9:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: Sherrie Althouse, Co-owner of California Flora (Native Plant Nursery)
Hike the Pomo Trail for a wildflower exploratory treat.
Recommended for: JVC, SCD, WC, ELP
(Lunch Break)
State Parks Volunteer Docent/Stewards General Orientation – Session 3
1:00 to 4:30pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Pond Farm and the Legacy of Marguerite Wildenhain
Saturday, May 22
10:00am-12:30pm
Instructors: Breck Parkman (State Park Archeologist) & Laura Parent (State Parks Staff)
Marguerite is an internationally known potter who passed away in 1985. She inspired many students who attended her school in the Austin Creek SRA from the 1950s to 1980.
Recommended for: ARVC, ARTG, APA
Seal Watch Training & Estuary Viewing by Kayak
Saturday, June 5
9:00am - 12:00pm
Instructor: Suki Waters, docent
An opportunity to view and identify wildlife from the Russian River Estuary in Jenner where Seal Watch takes place. Boating safety will also be discussed. Kayak rental fees apply.
1:00 - 3:30pm
Instructor: Mary Follis, docent
Another opportunity to learn about pinnipeds from Mary Follis and be trained to help protect our local colony of harbor seals at Goat Rock State Beach.
Public Education Programs - Sonoma Coast State Park:
Public Education Programs - Armstrong Redwoods SNR and Austin Creek SRA:
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