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 and funds free environmental education programs for school children. Payment is required at the time of registration to secure your place.
Members of Stewards are asked for a $5 fee. 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 fee.
Volunteer Information
Online Reservation Form for Orientations and Seminars
2012 Community Education Seminars & Docent Orientations
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)
Pinniped Monitoring (PM)
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 14, 2012
9:00-Noon
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
New volunteers are required to attend one General Orientation Session.
(Lunch Break)
Cultural History of Armstrong Redwoods/Austin Creek State Recreation Area
Saturday, January 14, 2012
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
Armstrong Tour Guides Logistics
Friday, January 20, 2012
10:00am-3:00pm with lunch break
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Become intimate with our unique redwood grove by leading nature walks through Armstrong Redwoods, or by teaching children about the wonderful ecology of this redwood forest.
Make your Interpretive Walk/Hike a Memorable One
Saturday, January 21, 2012
8:30am-3:30pm (Lunch Break)
Instructors: Kasey Wade (SRJC Instructor)
David Zuckerman, Supervising Naturalist, Tilden Regional Park
In the morning the art of effective and engaging interpretation will be discussed and demonstrated for new docents with SRJc's popular instructor Kasey Wade. 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 28, 2012
9:30am-12:30pm
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.
Recommended for: ARVC, ARTG, AREE, APA, ELP
 Pinnipeds and Sonoma Coast Birdlife
Saturday, February 11, 2012
9:00am-Noon
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.
Instructor: Mary Follis (Seal Watch mentor and trainer)
An outstanding introduction to coastal bird life.
(Lunch Break)
Seal Watch Program Logistics
Saturday, February 11, 2012
1:00-4:00pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Help protect the harbor seals at the mouth of the Russian River during the pupping season (March to Labor Day).
Recommended for: SW, WW, JVC, TP, SCD, ELP, SCS
Pinniped Monitoring Program (Stewards Program - not Volunteers in Parks)
February 14, 2012, 10:00am to
3:00pm with a lunch break
Instructors: Joe Mortenson, Sonoma County Water Agency staff and Stewards staff
Trained citizen monitors count seals at numerous locations in and around the Jenner Estuary during breaching activities and during the outlet channel formation that is recommended in Biological Opinion, a federally mandated 15-year blueprint to help save endangered fish and ensure water supply. Monthly baseline data collection is also scheduled twice a month. As a Stewards program, volunteers are eligible to receive a stipend for monitoring.
Tidepool Program Orientation
Saturday, February 18, 2012
9:00am-12:00pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Introduce park visitors to the amazing life in the intertidal zone by leading school groups on tidepool explorations. Roving Naturalists are also available on low-tide weekends to ensure the preservation of the fragile intertidal resources.
(lunch break)
Exploring the Intertidal Zone
Saturday, February 18, 2012
1:00pm -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
Birding in the Willow Creek Watershed
Saturday, February 25, 2012
9 am to 12 pm
Instructor: Peter Leveque, naturalist and ornithologist
Renowned naturalist Peter Leveque will ID birds in the Jenner Estuary and in Willow Creek and share important habitat characteristics.
Recommended for: JVC, SCD, ELP
Wildlife of Western Sonoma County
Saturday, March 3, 2012
9:00-12:30pm
Instructor: Ranger Ellen Brem
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
Armstrong Visitor Center Logistics
Saturday, March 3, 2012
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Learn the logistics of operating the Visitor Center where you will have an opportunity to talk with park visitors from all over the world.
Environmental Living Program Logistics
Friday, March 9, 2012
9:00 to 3:00pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Live the cultural history of the Sonoma Coast by stepping back in time. This new docent-led program for students in grades 4th - 7th offers insights into the natural history as it pertains to our cultural resource heritage.
Geology of Sonoma Coast
Saturday, March 10, 2012
10:00am to 2:00pm (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
State Parks Volunteer Docent/Stewards General Orientation – Session 2
Saturday, March 17, 2012
9:00-Noon
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
New volunteers are required to attend one General Orientation Session.
Armstrong/Austin Creek Public Assistance Orientation
Saturday, March 17, 2012
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Facilitated by Ranger Andrea Mapes
An opportunity to patrol the trails of Armstrong and Austin Creek to provide assistance to park visitors.
Jenner Visitors Center Logistics
Saturday, March 24, 2012
10:00pm - Noon
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Interact and inspire visitors from all over the world by staffing our visitor center on the beautiful Russian River estuary in Jenner.
Recommended for: SCD, ELP, JVC, TP
Armstrong Redwoods Plants and Wildflower
Saturday, April 7, 2012
12:30-3:00pm
Instructors: Sherry Althouse
Discover the plants and wildflowers of Armstrong Redwoods on an easy hike.
Recommended for: ARVC, ARTG, AREE, APA, ELP
Sonoma Coast Wildflowers and Plants
Saturday, April 21, 2012
9:00am-12:00pm
Instructor: Michelle Cooper, Bodega Marine Lab
Hike the Pomo Trail for a wildflower exploratory treat.
Recommended for: JVC, SCD, WC, ELP
Archeology and History of Sonoma Coast
Saturday, May 5, 2012
9:00am-2:00pm
Instructor: Tom Origer, Professional Archeologist
Learn about the fascinating changes that have taken place from an archeological and historic perspective on the Sonoma Coast.
Armstrong/Austin Creek Public Assistance Certification
May 12, 2012, 10:00am - 2:00pm
MAU and Bicycle Assistance Volunteer need to go through a certification process.
State Parks Volunteer Docent/Stewards General Orientation – Session 3
Saturday, May 19, 2012
9:00am-12:00pm
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
New volunteers are required to attend one General Orientation Session.
Pond Farm and the Legacy of Marguerite Wildenhain
Saturday, May 26, 2012
10:00am-12:30pm
Instructor: 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
June 2, 2012
9:00 - Noon
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.
Kayaking in the Jenner Estuary
June 9, 2012
9:00 - Noon
Instructor: Suki Waters
A wonderful opportunity to view harbor seals at Goat Rock State Beach from the water.
Watershed Education Program Logistics and Training
Friday, October 5, 2012, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
9:00-3:00am
Facilitated by Staff and Docents
Inspire students in an exciting watershed field study program where they learn about the life cycle of salmon and attributes of a healthy watershed.
Cultural History of Sonoma Coast and Willow Creek
Saturday, October 6, 2012
12:00-4:00pm
Instructors: Marianne Hurley (State Parks Historian) and Dan Murley
Learn about the cultural history of Willow Cree, part of Sonoma Coast State Park, including fascinating information about the historical structures in the area.
Recommended for: WC, SCS, SCD, ELP, JVC
Whale Watch (WW)
Assist the public in viewing the annual gray whale migration. Docents are at Bodega Head on weekends January to May.
November 10, 2012, 9am - 1:30pm
Public Education Programs - Sonoma Coast State Park:
Public Education Programs - Armstrong Redwoods SNR and Austin Creek SRA:
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