Exploring the Plant World of the Laguna de Santa Rosa

The Laguna de Santa Rosa provides myriad opportunities to observe the influence of water and soils on the structure and composition of vegetation. On this trip into the Laguna and adjacent grasslands and valley oak savanna, we’ll traverse a diversity of soil moisture regimes, and learn how to identify a number of late spring flowering plants, including grasses, wetland trees and shrubs, sedges, rushes, and sunflowers. Along the way, we’ll discuss some of the adaptations various plants have evolved in order to live and thrive under conditions ranging from saturated soils to severe summer moisture deficits. This walk will cover 2 to 3 miles, and proceed at a leisurely pace over about 4 hours. Dress comfortably for the weather, and the probability of getting your feet and your knees wet!