Fairfield Osborn Preserve
Sonoma State's Fairfield Osborn Preserve is located on Sonoma Mountain, about 15 miles from campus. It hosts eight plant communities including oak woodland, chaparral, freshwater marsh, native and non-native grasslands, Douglas-fir woodland, and riparian woodland.
The Center for Environmental Inquiry (CEI) manages the Preserve. CEI runs several different programs on the site, including outdoor educational programs for elementary schools, and several training programs for SSU students and the larger community.
SSU faculty use the preserve regularly for research and classroom activities.
Internships
Many GEP students participate in internships at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve, working with the Center for Environmental Inquiry.
Naturalist Training and Internship
Students learn the natural history of the preserve and receive training in pedagogical techniques for environmental education. Then, students practice these skills leading tours of the preserve for children and adults as an Osborn Naturalists.
Land Management Training and Internship
Students learn techniques and strategies for restoring creeks, woodlands and grasslands, including species identification, ecology, use of restoration tools, and management plan design. They then apply those skills working on long-term restoration projects with experts from local non-profits partners.
