Rare Pond Species Survey Techniques Workshop

Registration opens Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 9:00 am. Tickets available online only.

Agenda

This workshop is designed to provide practical training on aquatic survey techniques for the California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, and Western pond turtle. The range of these three rare and protected species overlap and they often occur in similar pond habitats.

The lecture session will include a review of the biology and ecology of these species, identification of life stages, state and federal regulations, and approved survey protocols. The field trip sessions will provide field training in aquatic survey techniques, including dip net sampling for CTS larvae, evening spotlighting for frogs, and turtle visual encounter surveys and trapping.

Schedule

Saturday, March 7

• 8:30am – 12:00pm All participants attend the lecture in Heron Hall.
• 12:00pm – 1:00pm Box lunch provided.
• 1:30pm – 10:30pm Group 1 field trips by vanpool.*

Sunday, March 8

• 10:00am – 11:30am Optional field trip for Groups 1 and 2.
• 1:30pm – 10:30pm Group 2 field trips by vanpool.*

* Field trips are identical and by vanpool only due to limited parking at field sites.

Field Trip Overview

All workshop participants will attend the lecture on Saturday morning. Due to limited space in vans and at field sites, participants will be assigned to one of two identical extended field trips: either Saturday, March 7, from 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm, or Sunday, March 8, from 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm. In addition, all participants are welcome to attend an optional field trip on Sunday, March 8, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. A box lunch will be provided on Saturday, March 7, only.

About the Instructors

Dave Cook and Jeff Alvarez are experts on amphibian and reptile ecology and conservation, conduct herpetological research, and hold state and federal permits for the three pond species.

Refund Policy

Cancellations received more than 30 days in advance of the event date will receive a refund minus a $50.00 processing fee. No refunds will be granted within 30 days of the workshop regardless of the participant's personal or professional emergency. Tickets are transferable within your agency, if needed.

Co-Sponsors

The Wildlife Project specializes in environmental compliance and technical field surveys, specifically, assisting clients with mitigation development and monitoring, special-status species surveys and habitat evaluations, biological assessments, survey and monitoring technique development, and biological consultation.

The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation works to restore and conserve the Laguna de Santa Rosa, and to inspire public appreciation for this Sonoma County Wetland of International Importance.

Questions? Email [email protected]

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Host or Publisher Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation