Summer 2020
Through Appreciating Earth I foster environmental awareness, scientific knowledge, & planetary appreciation. We all consciously & unconsciously change the environment through our actions. Earth education can help us understand how we impact our planet. This Appreciating Earth newsletter provides earth science knowledge & increases environmental awareness.
 Awareness is a prelude to respect, projected into the world as appreciation.
Join me June 4th at 2pm for a Virtual Sonoma Mountain Geology & Climate Talk!
I will be presenting a FREE 1 hour virtual deep dive into deep time to share my knowledge of the formation and evolution of Sonoma County. This opportunity is available through the Center for Environmental Inquiry of Sonoma State University, and will be recorded & available to view in late June. Through zoom I will lead you on a virtual geologic exploration of the formation of the Sonoma Mountain region for the last ~140 million years. How did Sonoma Mountain and the surrounding landscape form? Learn how tectonic, seismic, and volcanic events formed the rocks, valleys, and mountains around us. This presentation is intended for geo-beginners and self-proclaimed-geology nerds alike, and will serve as an introduction to the local geologic processes and climactic trends that comprise the natural forces that form our home land, including wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. Register at cei.sonoma.edu/Sonoma-Mountain-Geologic-Climactic-Evolution
Preparing for Natural Disasters: Geological, Meteorological & Biological
All natural disasters make you highly aware of how you interact with & are at the mercy of the environment. Whether it is a geological, meteorological, or biological natural disaster, it threatens safety and well being, and we have to react quickly to keep ourselves and love ones safe. How do YOU react to a natural disaster? Is there anything you need to change to be more prepared for the future? ... READ MORE
Take Care of Your Body to Support Your Health
Our health is a compilation of our mental, physical, & social well-being...and the ability of our body to adapt to new threats & infirmities. All aspects of our health are being tested during this global pandemic. What can you do to support your health? Connect to others, ask for help, exercise, pay attention to your posture, pay close attention to your body's needs, & actively support your health everyday. You can connect to others & take care of your physical fitness by joining online fitness classes. It's not the same as in person, but it is the best & safest that can be offered during a pandemic.
 The Future of Field Trips
with Nicole!
While plans for in person field trips are on hold, I will provide virtual Earth education throughout the summer and beyond. Though I would like to provide in person field excursions, the progress of this pandemic and how our communities respond will determine when I offer in person activities. In the meantime you can experience nature through the eyes of a geologist virtually. If you are interested in virtual &/or in person activities go to my website and fill out the contact form to be informed about upcoming activities. I will also post videos & information about geology, deep time, climate, natural disasters, and related areas of interest on my website.
Yes, this was in my previous newsletter, and the one before that, and if you haven't downloaded this app yet, do it now. Prepare before the seismic disaster strikes. California has a new earthquake early warning system in the form of an app named MyShake. This is one of the only apps on my phone that I allow to use my location even when the app is not in use. When an earthquake occurs in California, the MyShake network will send out a warning through the app. In the best case scenario we may have a few seconds to a few minutes to take cover and hopefully ride out the earthquake safely. California and much of the Western US is earthquake country, so we must be prepared to experience and survive the inevitable earthquake. Any warning is better than no warning at all. Go to the MyShake website to learn more & to download the app on your smartphone