Thursday, March 21st, 6:30PM Faulkner Gallery – Santa Barbara Public Library 40 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA
Created in 1968, the San Rafael Wilderness encompasses 197,380 acres of wild lands within Los Padres National Forest. This talk will highlight the hiking and backpacking opportunities in the Upper Sisquoc River, Upper Manzana Creek, and Upper Santa Cruz Creek drainages, as well as some of the natural history of the area.
Join James Wapotich as shares images and stories from his treks and wanders through this unique area of our local backcountry. James is a trail guide, Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with Los Padres National Forest, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest. He leads classes on backpacking, wilderness awareness skills, and mindfulness in nature.
This free presentation is part of the Trail Talks series hosted by the Santa Barbara Public Library.
Guided Hikes and Native Plants around the Central Coast
The Santa Barbara Region is home to a rich variety of both trails and habitats. Through this series of immersive classes you will learn the basic skills and awareness to explore our backcountry trails; learn about the native plants found on our trails; and deepen your connection to the natural world.
Each class takes place on one of our local trails and is a mix of hands on instruction, immersive exercises, and sharing circles that allow for learning on many levels.
Reading the Landscape – Saturday, October 28, 9AM-1PM
Learn how to orient yourself to the local landscape, read the topography, and create your own mental maps of the backcountry without the use of a GPS or compass. See how habitats and plant communities are organized on the landscape, and learn how to remove the word lost from your vocabulary.
Nature Connection – Saturday, November 4, 9AM-1PM
Venturing out onto the land is even more rewarding when we take the time to develop a meaningful connection with nature. Learn how to feel more at home out on the trails and in the wilderness by being able to recognize plants every hiker should know. We will explore riparian and chaparral habitats, the plants that live there, and some of their edible and medicinal properties.
A Garden of Resources – Saturday, November 11, 9AM-1PM
This hike will be at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. We will visit some of the plants seen on the previous hikes, as well as plants that we would need to hike a dozen or more different trails to see! Essentially a living natural history guide, the Garden provides a rich opportunity to see and learn about a wide variety of California native plants, including those on the Channel Islands, on the same hike.
Listening to Nature – Saturday, November 18, 9AM-1PM
As we start to feel at home in nature, the land itself can become a source of guidance and inspiration. By working with plants, habitats, and the landscape, and tuning into our senses we can begin to see nature as ally and lay the foundation for being able to know the backcountry like the back of our hand.
James Wapotich is a trail guide, UC Certified California Naturalist, Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with Los Padres National Forest, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.He leads workshops on backpacking, wilderness awareness skills, and mindfulness in nature.
Participants must be able to comfortably hike 2-3 miles. A list of what to bring and where to meet will be provided before each class.
If you’re not already a member of the Garden, you may want to consider becoming one. In addition to the discount for this class, the membership includes free admission to the Garden, as well as discounts on other classes, field trips, lectures, and special events through the Garden. Plus, of course, you’re supporting the propagation, conservation, study, and love of California native plants.
Feel free to contact me as well, jwapotich@yahoo.com or (805) 729-4250.
Thursday, September 21st, 6:30PM Faulkner Gallery – Santa Barbara Public Library 40 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA
With an elevation of 8,847 feet, Mount Pinos is the tallest mountain in our local area. Created in 1992, the surrounding Chumash Wilderness encompasses 38,150 acres of wild lands. At the lower elevations is pinyon-juniper woodland that transitions into mixed conifers at the higher elevations, giving these mountains a distinctly Sky Island feel. Snow-covered in the winter, these mountains provide year-round recreational opportunities.
Join local author James Wapotich as shares images and stories from his treks through this scenic area, and provides an overview of its natural history.
James is a trail guide, Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with Los Padres National Forest, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest. He leads classes on backpacking, wilderness awareness skills, and mindfulness in nature.
This free presentation is part of the Trail Talks series hosted by the Santa Barbara Public Library.
The next talk in the series is Thursday, October 19th, 6:30pm, The Evolution of the Modern Flora of California with paleobotanist Bruce Tiffney
The Santa Barbara Region is home to a rich variety of both trails and habitats. Through this series of immersive classes you will learn the basic skills and awareness to explore our backcountry trails; learn about the native plants found on our trails; and deepen your connection to the natural world.
Each class takes place on one of our local trails and is a mix of hands on instruction, immersive exercises, and sharing circles that allow for learning on many levels.
Reading the Landscape – Saturday, April 15, 9AM-1PM
Learn how to orient yourself to the local landscape, read the topography, and create your own mental maps of the backcountry without the use of a GPS or compass. See how habitats and plant communities are organized on the landscape, and learn how to remove the word lost from your vocabulary.
Nature Connection – Saturday, April 22, 9AM-1PM
Venturing out onto the land is even more rewarding when we take the time to develop a meaningful connection with nature. Learn how to feel more at home out on the trails and in the wilderness by being able to recognize plants every hiker should know. We will explore riparian and chaparral habitats, the plants that live there, and some of their edible and medicinal properties.
A Garden of Resources – Saturday, April 29, 9AM-1PM
This hike will be at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. We will visit some of the plants seen on the previous hikes, as well as plants that we would need to hike a dozen or more different trails to see! Essentially a living natural history guide, the Garden provides a rich opportunity to see and learn about a wide variety of California native plants, including those on the Channel Islands, on the same hike.
Listening to Nature – Saturday, May 6, 9AM-1PM
As we start to feel at home in nature, the land itself can become a source of guidance and inspiration. By working with plants, habitats, and the landscape, and tuning into our senses we can begin to see nature as ally and lay the foundation for being able to know the backcountry like the back of our hand.
James Wapotich is a trail guide, UC Certified California Naturalist, Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with Los Padres National Forest, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.He leads workshops on backpacking, wilderness awareness skills, and mindfulness in nature.
Participants must be able to comfortably hike 2-3 miles. A list of what to bring and where to meet will be provided before each class.
If you’re not already a member of the Garden, you may want to consider becoming one. In addition to the discount for this class, the membership includes free admission to the Garden, as well as discounts on other classes, field trips, lectures, and special events through the Garden. Plus, of course, you’re supporting the propagation, conservation, study, and love of California native plants.
Feel free to contact me as well, jwapotich@yahoo.com or (805) 729-4250.
Wildflowers and Wanders in the Santa Barbara & Ojai Mountains
Free Presentation with Q&A
Thursday, March 16th, 6:30PM Faulkner Gallery – Santa Barbara Public Library 40 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA
This talk will provide an overview of the different wildflowers in our area, and feature a mix of trails where a variety of wildflowers can be found, and some of the unique plants in our local mountains.
Join author James Wapotich as he shares images and stories from his natural history wanders in our local backcountry. James is a trail guide, UC Certified California Naturalist, Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with Los Padres National Forest, and the author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.
This program is part of the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Parks Pass Grant programing, created with funding provided by the State of California, and administered by the California State Library, and part of the Trail Talks series hosted by the Library.
The next talk in the series is Thursday, April 20th, and will feature local geology legend Tanya Atwater.
You heard it here first: The Santa Barbara Public Library has returned to in person presentations for the Trail Talks series!
Into the Mountains! Trails and Tales of the Santa Barbara Backcountry
Free IN PERSON Slideshow Presentation with Q&A
Thursday, September 15th, 6:30PM Faulkner Gallery – Santa Barbara Public Library 40 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA
This talk will highlight several historic trails that lead from Santa Barbara into our local backcountry. Trails that can still be visited today as part of a day hike or backpacking trip and connect with the Dick Smith and San Rafael Wilderness areas. Trails highlighted will include those used by the Chumash, and early settlers and forest rangers.
Join local author James Wapotich as he shares images and stories from his hikes and backpacking trips along these historic trails. James has hiked many of the trails in our local backcountry. He is a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with the Forest Service, and is the author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.
This free presentation is part of the Trail Talks series hosted by the Santa Barbara Public Library.
The next talk in the series is Thursday, October 20th, Our Public Lands: A 13,000-mile Journey Through California’s Forgotten Landscapes with Josh Jackson
During the last ice age, the four islands off our coast, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel, were all part of a single, larger island called Santarosae. This talk will highlight the hiking and backpacking opportunities on these four islands today, as well as describe an imagined traverse of the now submerged super island of Santarosae.
Join local author James Wapotich as he shares images and stories from hiking, backpacking, and camping on the four islands off our coast. James has hiked many of the trails on the islands and has visited all five islands within Channel Islands National Park. He is an experienced backpacker, trail guide, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.
This free online presentation is part of the Santa Barbara Public Library’s 2022 Book to Action series, which includes events and programs inspired by Island Visions, edited by Jacob Seigel Brielle and illustrated by Isaac Seigel-Boettner.
Their book features essays and infographics written by scientists, environmentalists, rangers, fisherman, and local outdoor enthusiasts and explores what is special about the Channel Islands and why it’s important to conserve the environment and cultural significance of this unique place.
The Book to Action series aims to help residents appreciate and understand the ecology, geography, and history of the Channel Islands and our local oceans waters and inspire collective action and engagement on environmental issues.
The Santa Barbara Region is home to a rich variety of both trails and habitats. Through this series of immersive classes you will learn the basic skills and awareness to explore our backcountry trails; learn about the native plants found on our trails; and deepen your connection to the natural world.
Each class takes place on one of our local trails and is a mix of hands on instruction, immersive exercises, and sharing circles that allow for learning on many levels.
Reading the Landscape – April 30, 9AM-1PM
Learn how to orient yourself to the local landscape, read the topography, and create your own mental maps of the backcountry without the use of a GPS or compass. See how habitats and plant communities are organized on the landscape, and learn how to remove the word lost from your vocabulary.
Nature Connection – May 7, 9AM-1PM
Venturing out onto the land is even more rewarding when we take the time to develop a meaningful connection with nature. Learn how to feel more at home out on the trails and in the wilderness by being able to recognize plants every hiker should know. We will explore riparian and chaparral habitats, the plants that live there, and some of their edible and medicinal properties.
Listening to Nature – May 14, 9AM-1PM
As we start to feel at home in nature, the land itself can become a source of guidance and inspiration. By working with plants, habitats, and the landscape, and tuning into our senses we can begin to see nature as ally and lay the foundation for being able to know the backcountry like the back of our hand.
James Wapotich is a trail guide, UC Certified California Naturalist, Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with Los Padres National Forest, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.He leads workshops on backpacking, wilderness awareness skills, and mindfulness in nature.
Participants must be able to comfortably hike 2-3 miles. A list of what to bring and where to meet will be provided before each class.
If you’re not already a member of the Garden, you may want to consider becoming one. In addition to the discount for this class, the membership includes free admission to the Garden, as well as discounts on other classes, field trips, lectures, and special events through the Garden. Plus, of course, you’re supporting the propagation, conservation, study, and love of California native plants.
Feel free to contact me as well, jwapotich@yahoo.com or (805) 729-4250.
Waterfalls of the Santa Barbara and Ojai Mountains
Free Online Presentation with Q&A
Thursday, March 17th, 5:30pm
Our local mountains are surprisingly rich in the number of waterfalls and cascades they hold. When enlivened by the rain, these scenic destinations become all the more compelling.
This talk will highlight close to two dozen different waterfalls and cascades in the mountains behind Santa Barbara and Ojai; and will feature a mix of relatively easy to reach places, as well as more remote locations in the San Rafael and Dick Smith Wilderness areas.
Join local author James Wapotich as he shares images and stories from his hikes to these picturesque places in our mountains. James has hiked many of the trails in our local backcountry. He is an experienced backpacker, trail guide, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.
This free online presentation is part of the Trail Talks series hosted by the Santa Barbara Public Library.
The next talk in the series is Thursday, April 21st, 5:30pm, Wildflowers of Figueroa Mountain and the Central Coast with Helen Tarbet, Los Padres National Forest.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 10:00 am -1:00 pm Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Wildlife cameras give us a window into the hidden lives of our local animals. They allow us to see what animals do in their natural state, and can provide rich insights into their behavior.
Used by conservationists, land managers, and hunters, wildlife cameras have grown in popularity as technological advances have made cameras more affordable and easier to use. These advances have made wildlife cameras more accessible to nature enthusiasts, photographers, and people just curious about what’s going on in their own backyard.
This class will cover the different types of wildlife cameras available on the market, the history of camera trapping or tracking, and how to set up a camera. The class will be part slideshow, part in the field, and will cover basic tracking awareness skills in order to more effectively select sites.
James Wapotich is a UC Certified California naturalist, trail guide, Volunteer Wilderness Ranger with Los Padres National Forest, and the author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest. In addition to hiking the many trails in our local backcountry, James is an avid wildlife camera tracking enthusiast, with on average a half dozen cameras out in the field.
The class is $45 per person, $30 for Garden Members.
To register or for more information go to www.sbbg.org or call (805) 682-4726 ext. 102
Songs of the Wilderness 