Environmental Experts Webinar Series
Our Environmental Experts Webinar Series helps educate our community on important environmental conservation and restoration topics related to the Channel Islands and mainland Central Coast. Each month, we invite a distinguished speaker to share their knowledge and insight about one topical environmental issue affecting our planet.
While these webinars are free for our community, we appreciate donations to support this program.
Previous Webinars
Chumash Island Stories: A Trip Back In Time
with Julie Tumamait-Stenslie
Have you ever wanted to learn more about traditional Chumash narratives? Join us for an exciting and educational webinar with Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, a Chumash Elder and storyteller who will share Chumash Channel Island stories.
Exploring California’s Oak Woodlands: A Wildlife Adventure
with Mike Watling
Oak woodlands and savannas are incredibly rich in biodiversity. They host a diverse array of plant and animal species, making them one of the most biologically diverse terrestrial ecosystems in California. Through the lens of trail cameras, we’ll take a journey through the fascinating world of California’s oak woodlands along the Wildland urban interface (WUI) along the central and south coast. In this online Zoom presentation, we’ll delve into the lives of some of the many the critters that call this unique habitat home. From elusive mammals to colorful birds, we’ll uncover their secrets through captivating trail camera videos and intriguing life histories.
May 2024 Webinar: Hail to the Whales and Island Fauna Tales
with Chuck Graham and Holly Lohuis
Holly Lohuis explores the establishment of the newly recognized Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. Additionally, Chuck Graham shares insights on island wildlife, delving into his encounters with creatures like foxes, the island spotted skunk, elephant seal pups, northern fur seal pups, bald eagles, brown pelicans, and more.
September ‘23 Webinar: Flora Of The California Channel Islands
August ‘23 Webinar: Micropropagation of Catalina Island’s Rarest Plants
Kevin Alison from the Catalina Island Conservancy discusses an advanced method of propagating plants to conserve rare, endangered, and difficult-to-grow plants. When all traditional forms of propagation fail, Kevin at the Catalina Island Conservancy utilized micropropagation (also known as Plant Tissue Culture) to grow rare plants in test tubes. This method allows conservationists to overcome horticultural challenges and provide a reliable stock of plants for restoration, re-introduction, and genetic banking.
July ‘23 Webinar: EDC’s Open Space and Watershed Protection Programs
This collaboration between Channel Islands Restoration and the Environmental Defense Center will provide an overview of EDC and its role as a nonprofit public interest law firm serving Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties. EDC has played an important role in preserving some of our region’s treasured open spaces.
The presentation will cover several of EDC’s successful efforts and ongoing campaigns to preserve areas threatened with development, including Ellwood Mesa, Douglas Family Preserve, Carpinteria Bluffs, Naples, More Mesa, Sedgwick Ranch, San Marcos Foothills, and Hearst Ranch.
EDC will also describe its Watershed Protection and Education Program, including its creek cleanups, creek surveys, evaluation of creek restoration projects, and convening of the Watershed Alliance of South Coast Organizations.
June ‘23 Webinar: An Introduction to the Barbareño Chumash Language
napašnipit hihe'it'i he'lšup, 'ipwakapi hiptayašnipit, k'ayke swil 'it'i hisiywe' hi kiynohnonočwaš.
Walk softly over the land. Beneath it, the ancestors sleep.
--
Many Indigenous languages around the world are in danger of disappearing forever. In this presentation, you will learn about one of these languages, the Barbareño Chumash language of southern Santa Barbara County.
This is a rare glimpse of a community and its language that once thrived on and are closely tied to the land where the cities of Goleta and Santa Barbara stand today, and which are surviving after 250 years of contact with Spanish, Mexican, and American culture and society.
What distinguishes this language from other Chumash and California Native languages? What events have led this community and its language to their present condition? What are their hopes and dreams for the future?
These questions and more will be answered in this presentation!
Our talk is co-hosted with James Yee, a descendent of a long line of Native American Chumash ancestors who have lived in the southern Santa Barbara County area for untold generations.
May ‘23 Webinar: How Science Can Help Protect Birds and Their Habitat
The Conservation Science (ConSci) committee of Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS) meets formally once a month to discuss local issues, including recent species observations, situations affecting habitat, environmental policy, upcoming opportunities to comment during the public process, and more. An important tool developed recently by ConSci members is the Breeding Bird Study (BBS).
The BBS is a public-access database of bird breeding records for Santa Barbara County. These records are a critically important tool in SBAS’s work to advocate for habitat preservation and can also be used to inform forward-thinking restoration efforts. In this talk, SBAS will give some background on interesting birds and bird habitat within SB County south coast, highlight some recent conservation work that has used BBS data, and discuss how that data can help guide restoration efforts into the future.
April ‘23 Webinar: Island Conservation Around the World
Islands and their surrounding waters are magical places and the ecosystems, biodiversity, and communities that depend on them are just as unique. Unfortunately, islands and their oceans are disproportionately impacted by three major global crises: failing ocean health, biodiversity extinction, and climate change. After years of working in this space it became clear that a holistic solution to these interconnected threats was necessary. As a result, Island Conservation joined together with Scripps Institute of Oceanography and re:wild to establish the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge which now includes dozens of partners all dedicated to making a difference..
March ‘23 Webinar: Discover the History of Island Packers: 1968 - 2023
In this exciting event, Cherryl Connally presents the history of Island Packers and the challenges over the last 54 years of operating and providing boat transportation to the Channel Islands. Join us as we journey from rowing passengers ashore in 1968 on the first vessel 'Island Packer' to the present day. As of 2001, Island Packers now operates multiple high-speed power catamarans and has a devoted staff that provides customers with the best possible island experiences.
Dec ‘22 Webinar: Explore the Geology of the Central Coast at Arroyo Burro Beach
CIR is excited to welcome geology educator Susie Bartz! Learn more about the fascinating forces of tectonics and erosion that have shaped the cliffs, beaches, and coastal mesas along the Central Coast. Susie's talk coincides with the release of her educational film "The Geology of Arroyo Burro Beach" made in collaboration with Channel Islands Restoration. This full length 45-minute feature examines the folds, faults, rock types, landslides, and fossils at Arroyo Burro Beach in Santa Barbara County. Access the entire 45-minute feature by becoming a member of Channel Islands Restoration at www.cirweb.org/donate CIR looks forward to having you join us for a geology discussion millions of years in the making.
Nov ‘22 Webinar: How Channel Islands Restoration Grew a Successful Nonprofit (Part 2/2)
We’re continuing to share how CIR grew a successful nonprofit organization. In this talk we discuss CIR's growth and development during our 'middle years,' highlighting how we built our foundation and found roots in three counties. We also discuss a controversial topic, herbicide application. Get insight from our Executive Director, Ken Owen about this divisive issue and learn more about our environmental education, research, and restoration over the last 20 years.
Oct ‘22 Webinar: How Calflora Helps Protect Native Plants Of The Channel Islands
Learn from Calflora’s Executive Director Cynthia Powell about Calflora tools for CNPS native plant professionals, gardeners, and enthusiasts! Calflora aggregates millions of plant observations across the state from hundreds of sources. These data sources include CCH2 (plant specimen info from California Consortium of Herbaria), iNaturalist, and plant checklists from around the state. Learn how you can better use this incredible resource to track and protect native plants of The Channel Islands.
August ‘22 Webinar: How Channel Islands Restoration Grew a Successful Nonprofit (Part 1/2)
Back when feral pigs still infested the Channel Islands and the native island fox was rare, a small hearty team removed tens of thousands of invasive eucalyptus and tamarisk trees that had overtaken many of the watersheds of Santa Cruz Island. These projects would lead our pioneers to traverse the 96-square-mile island to find and remove hundreds of non-native plants. With success under their belts, the team would expand their work to mainland creeks and to Santa Rosa Island to help restore the island habitat to a state reminiscent of California's pristine natural past.
The leaders of this team were Duke McPherson and Ken Owen, who would go on to inspire two decades of conservation work through their nonprofit, Channel Islands Restoration, and inspire hundreds of individuals to embark on trips to all eight Channel Islands to help restore the islands' ecosystems. Tonight's brief presentation will transport you to a time when restoration and education on the Channel Islands were new to our team. Discover how they were able to create CIR, now a premiere environmental organization set on helping to restore habitat on the Channel Islands and mainland for the benefit of native plants and animals.
July ‘22 Webinar: Conservation and Kayaking on the Channel Islands
With Chuck Graham Photography
Chuck Graham is a kayak guide, wildlife photographer, and writer. Over the last 20 years, Chuck has been able to observe the beauty and discover the incredible ecosystem of California's Channel Islands through his work and adventures, from its aquamarine waters to its scenic overlooks. In Chuck's "humble opinion, kayaking is the best way to explore the islands. There are so many places you can't access on foot. Kayaking has afforded me countless interactions with wildlife and has allowed me to observe the many successful conservation efforts throughout the chain."
June ‘22 Webinar: The Island Fox - Partner in Restoring Island Plant Communities
With Mike and Keri, Friends of the Island Fox
The island fox is only found on six of California’s Channel Islands. In 2000, these rare canines faced extinction on four islands. Today populations are recovered, but drought and introduced disease pose new threats. Survival of the island fox is vital to restoring healthy island ecosystems because these tiny foxes control plant predators and are themselves important seed dispersers. New research is also revealing that island foxes may provide a link between marine nutrients and island vegetation. Join us for a discussion on the intricate interconnections between island species and an unprecedented new research effort.
April ‘22 Webinar: The Human Story Of California’s Channel Islands
With Jennifer E. Perry, Ph.D. Professor of Anthropology CSU Channel Islands
California’s Channel Islands have held significance and been home to people for thousands of years. For most of this time, Chumash and Tongva communities on the northern and southern islands engaged in fishing, craft production, and politics as complex hunter-gatherer societies. Over the past 200 years, the human story of the islands has been complicated and diversified to include ranching, farming, military operations, film-making, tourism and recreation, and conservation. Each island has its own unique version of these stories and, yet, there are important commonalities to the human experience. Dr. Perry will discuss major themes that connect people through time and space including freshwater, transportation, fishing, and identity.
March ‘22 Webinar: What Are Cultural Burns? Their Environmental Impact Then and Now
With Mr. Dirk Charley, Tribal Liaison for the Dunlap Band of Mono Indians
Dirk Charley will explain what cultural burns are, how they’ve been used historically, and what some of the challenges are to continuing this long-standing tribal tradition. Using his experience as a Tribal Liaison for the Dunlap Band of Mono Indians and his career with the Forest Service as Tribal Relations Program Specialist, Mr. Charley will talk about his experiences implementing cultural burns and how they can rejuvenate the environment and improve our management of the land.
February ‘22 Webinar: Discover The Santa Rosa Island Research Station
With Russ Bradley, Cal State University Channel Islands Director of the Santa Rosa Island Research Station
In this exclusive webinar, Russ Bradley, Cal State University Channel Islands Director of the Santa Rosa Island Research Station will discuss this unique interdisciplinary program in Channel Islands National Park, and his team's efforts to create transformational educational and research experiences for students and the local community.
September ‘21 Webinar: Whale Conservation in the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary
With Ryan Freedman and Jessica Morten, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Work in other areas of the world has shown that reducing ship speed is one way to reduce the risk of ship strikes, along with reducing harmful air emissions and underwater noise. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has been working with partners to slow large vessels down in an effort to reduce fatal ship strikes. This talk will discuss the ins and outs of running this conservation program and the next steps to protecting whales off the coast of California.
August ‘21 Webinar: Ethnohistory of the Chumash Islanders with Dr. John Johnson
Curator of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Dr. John Johnson has been the Curator of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History since 1986. Throughout his lifetime of research, he has gained incredible insight and understanding about the connections between some of the Central Coast’s earliest inhabitants and their living descendants.
July ‘21 Webinar: Human-Caused Climate Change and Solutions in the Channel Islands
with Dr. Patrick Gonzalez, Principal Climate Change Scientist of the U.S. National Park Service
Patrick will discuss how greenhouse gas emissions from cars, power plants, deforestation and other human sources have caused anthropogenic climate change in the Channel Islands and across Southern California. Observed impacts include increased temperatures over land and in ocean waters, increased wildfire, drought, sea level rise, and ocean acidification.
June ‘21 Webinar: Restoration and Conservation at UC Santa Barbara’s Coal Oil Point!
Presenters Jessica Nielsen and Kipp Callahan - Conservation Specialist and Land Research Steward at Coal Oil Point Reserve
UC Santa Barbara's Coal Oil Point Reserve encompasses 170 acres of protected habitat for research, education, and outreach. Land and Resource Steward, Kipp Callahan, discusses the reserve's habitat restoration program and Conservation Specialist, Jessica Nielsen, talks about the reserve's Snowy Plover Recovery Program in this exciting team webinar.
May ‘21 Webinar: California Pollinators in Peril – Native Plants to the Rescue!
Presenter Denise Knapp, Ph.D. Director of Conservation and Research
Join Denise Knapp from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden as she shares how differences in sizes, shapes, timing and techniques are critical to moving pollen and maintaining the diversity of life. Then learn what is causing a decline in insects observed around the globe, and more importantly, what YOU can do about it.
April ‘21 Webinar: Trail Preservation from the Mainland to The Channel Islands
Presenter Ruth Gerson, Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council President
In this talk, learn about the history of the SMMTC and how what started off as a group of concerned equestrians became an organization that would help to rebuild many of the trails found on the Channel Islands and the mainland
March ‘21 Webinar: Rare Plant Recovery Research on the Channel Islands
with Dr. Kathryn McEachern, Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey
Dr. McEachern will discuss how the islands are home to many rare and endemic plants spanning a range of life histories,
and how research shows that they are responding individually to the cessation of grazing.
February ‘21 Webinar: Protecting UCSBs North Campus Open Space
with Lisa Stratton, the Director of Ecosystem Management for UCSB's Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration
In this exclusive talk, Lisa Stratton, the Director of Ecosystem Management for UCSB's Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, will speak about the restoration techniques, design and implementation that have gone into transforming the North Campus Open Space.
January ‘21 Webinar: Learn About the Flora of Santa Catalina Island!
with Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Plant Systematist and Curator Dr. Matt Guilliams
The plants of Santa Catalina Island have captured the imagination of botanists for well over a century, but recent work has provided exciting new insights and island - and archipelago-wide floristic synopses.
In this talk, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Plant Systematist and Curator Dr. Matt Guilliams will discuss the remarkable flora of the California Channel Islands, often referred to as California’s Galapagos Islands, with an emphasis on Catalina Island.
