The legacy of an early conservationist now provides a hands-on, open air laboratory for Sonoma State students, just a few miles up the mountainside from their campus.

Nathan Rank is a professor of Biology at Sonoma State University and has been Director of Fairfield Osborn Preserve since 2000. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of California-Davis in 1990. His research interests focus on evolutionary ecology and population biology.

One of the benefits of having the Osborn Preserve nearby, says professor Rank, is that it provides a convenient way to observe seasonal changes within the same environment.

Fairfield Osborn Preserve was established by The Nature Conservancy in 1972 through the generosity of William and Joan Roth in honor of Joan's father, Fairfield Osborn. The Preserve was donated to Sonoma State University in 1997 for use as an educational and research site. In 2004, William and Joan Roth donated an additional 190 acres to the Preserve, nearly doubling its size, and including the scenic ridgeline of Sonoma Mountain.

 The Preserve occupies the upper slope at the center of the ridge (above) and is home to the headwaters and much of the watershed for Coleman Creek (below).

In addition  to the many grade school children who visit the Preserve each year, Rank explains that university students are also able to work on a considerable variety of research projects there.

Various hikes and other educational outings are offered at Fairfield Osborn Preserve. Information and registration forms can be found here .

Fairfield Osborn Preserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the endangered California Red-legged Frog.

Using economic analysis as a tool for environmental protection is a core philosophy driving the Sebastopol-based Conservation Strategy Fund.

John Reid, President and founder of the Conservation Strategy Fund, explains how he sees economics as a tool for increasing overall human happiness  

The mission of Conservation Strategy Fund is to teach environmental organizations around the world how to use economics and strategic analysis to conserve nature.

Carbon credits may become a potent economic tool for poor countries with extensive forest resources, an approach that Sebastopol's Conservation Strategy Fund is helping to promote.

Part of CSF's educational work involves teaching their partners how to articulate the linkage between preserved resources and economic benefits.

Much more detailed information about CSF can be found in their annual reports, which are posted online here. There is also a listing of current and recent projects here.

If turkey was served at the first Thanksgiving--which is historically doubtful--it might have been much like one of the organic heritage turkeys now being raised in a few places here in Sonoma County.

There are about a dozen turkey species recognized as "heritage" breeds, most of them still hovering close to extinction. Raising them commercially, even on a small scale, not only keeps these rare varities viable, Paul Dolcini says it also produces a gourmet entrée.

 Isabella Dolcini is helping raise heritage turkeys on the family farm as part of a 4-H project. The movable pens are made of PVC pipe covered with chicken wire. Moving them daily helps protect the birds from predators, who are unable to burrow under the constantly moving barriers.

Among the popular varieties of heritage turkeys are, left to right below: Bourbon Red Tom, White Holland Tom, Black Turkey Hen.

Benjamin Franklin was an admirer of the North American wild turkey, and once wrote:

"...  For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours; the first of the species seen in Europe, being brought to France by the Jesuits from Canada, and served up at the wedding table of Charles the Ninth. He is, besides, (though a little vain and silly, it is true, but not the worse emblem for that,) a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on." 

No matter where you go, insects have people hugely outnumbered. But there are far more beneficial bugs than harmful ones.

This is a close-up look at a snowy tree cricket. You can see if you recognize its call here.

Planting a mixed landscape  provides a diverse habitat for the insects that prey on garden pests.

Encouraging beneficial insects is a year-round endeavor, and a key component is planting sources of nectar that will be in bloom as the desirable bugs are emerging.

For more information about the workshop on"Garden Allies: Beneficial Insects and Other Helpful Garden Denizens" on October 25^th at SSU, click here.