Saturday, April 11, 2026
9:00am – 1:00pm

FREE with Friends of Pepperwood Membership ($50+)
Meet at the Dwight Center
Space is limited, RSVP to secure your spot by emailing Hailey at hsyskal@pepperwoodpreserve.org

A pond can be an oasis teeming with life! Join us for this special excursion for our donors, where we will explore the biodiversity found at Pepperwood’s ponds. Guided by Educator Julianne Bradbury, you will be introduced to the species we find in and around the water’s edge, and how to identify them. Experience first-hand observation of aquatic insects, frogs, newts, garter snakes, and turtles, as well as the bounty of other life a pond supports – birds, mammals, and plants. Along the way you will also have the opportunity to learn about the research happening at Pepperwood focused on our small animals, including coverboard surveys and specialized “drift fence” wildlife camera monitoring. Gain insight into the lives of these incredible creatures, their roles in our ecosystem, and the dramatic cycles of life that unfold around a pond. 

Bring your picnic lunch to enjoy alongside additional provided refreshments, for a beautiful spring day on the land with good company.

This special event is open to Pepperwood’s Explorer Circle+ members. Not yet in our Explorer Circle? Join today!

Leader: Julianne Bradbury – Julianne has been an educator, field scientist, and land steward in the Sonoma County conservation community since 2010. She completed both her Bachelor’s and Master of Science in the SSU Department of Biology and has worked previously with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey, National Parks Service, Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, Sonoma Water, and Audubon Canyon Ranch. When she is not geeking out about herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) and native plants, she can be seen performing in local community theater productions and leading families to make music in the Santa Rosa chapter of Music Together.

Ease of Access/Hike Level: This event includes a moderate hike of approximately a 1/2 mile at a slow pace, covering varied and uneven terrain. We will carpool in shared vehicles to a location near the pond, and then walk a trail to access the pond including climbing a 4-step ladder to cross a fence. The trail has uneven surfaces (bumps and depressions), and a moderate incline (downhill to the pond, uphill from the pond). Bathrooms and water are available at the meeting location.

Weather & Cancellations: This event will go on in light rain, but heavy storms may cancel. In the case of a rain cancellation, we will notify registered attendees via email, otherwise assume the event is on as planned. 

When visiting Pepperwood, please leave pets at home for their wellbeing and that of our wildlife. Though we love dogs, pets are not allowed on the reserve.  Thank you.

Please, no smoking at Pepperwood.

To RSVP, please email Hailey Styskal at HStyskal@PepperwoodPreserve.org by April 3, 2026

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