The Field Biology Group is a student organization at California State University, Sacramento that offers students the opportunity to explore conservation and biological issues through field experience, service and contact with professionals. The group is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Contact fieldbiogroup.csus@gmail.com for details.
New: http://csusfieldbiology.wordpress.com/
old google group Field Biology Google Group (do not use this one any more)
The Field Biology Group is a member of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Joint Council of clubs (NSMJC). It is an official Sacramento State club. For information about other clubs, visit the Student Activities website.
Officers and Contact Information (Spring 2020):
For Spring 2019-2020, the officers are:
President: Anessa Forshey
Vice President:
Treasurer: Breann Benitez
Secretary:
Upcoming Meetings and Events:
*requires RSVP
February 22, 2020 - Nimbus Fish Hatchery tour*
10:00am at 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River, CA
Nimbus Hatchery raises Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the American River. The Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center offers fun and educational activities for children and adults of all ages. FBG will be receiving an in-depth tour of the processes at Nimbus Fish Hatchery. The tour will be roughly 45 - 60 minutes long but we are able to roam the raceways and nature trails after.
February 26, 2020 - Vivarium tour*
4:30pm at CSUS Sequoia Hall 110
The CSUS vivarium houses over 30 different species of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. The animal collection is used for curriculum enrichment and outreach activities with CSUS students and children of all ages who visit campus. Depending on the amount of people interested, we might break the group into two tours that start at staggering times.
March 14, 2020 - Volunteer Wildlife Care Association*
10:00am at 5211 Patrol Road, McClellan Park, CA
Mid-March will be right at the beginning of the Wildlife Care Association's busy season so lots of last-minute things that will need to be cleaned or prepared, including bird baskets, play pens, aviaries, carriers and other supplies that we use at the facility. There is also a possibility of finishing the event with a tour of the facility so we can peek at the animals and ask any questions about wildlife rehabilitation.
March 18, 2020 - Career workshop with Leigh Sanders and Ethan Roberts
5:00pm at CSUS Eureka Hall 309
Join FBG in welcoming Leigh Sanders and Ethan Roberts as they discuss various carrier and research opportunities for Biology majors. More information will be available as time gets closer.
March 28, 2020 - Hike*
Location and time are yet to be determined. Suggestions are welcome. This activity is dependent on weather.
April 8, 2020 - CV/Resume building workshop with Dr. Coleman
5:00pm at CSUS Eureka Hall 309
The primary differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are length, what is included, and what each is used for. While both are used in job applications, a resume and a CV are not always interchangeable. Join FBG in welcoming Dr. Ron Coleman as he advises and recommends how to construct and when to use a CV verses a resume.
April 18, 2020 - Hike*
Location and time are yet to be determined. Suggestions are welcome. This activity is dependent on weather.
April 29, 2020 - General meeting
5:00pm at CSUS Eureka Hall 309
Meeting activity is to be determined.
Volunteer with Cal Waterfowl
Late April or Early May, Location TBD
FBG is coordinating with Cal Waterfowl about banding opportunities. Possible opportunities include banding at their egg salvage facility and/or doing a wood duck box check and banding any hens we encounter.
Volunteer with American Fisheries Society
Date and Location TBD
FBG is coordinating with the American Fisheries Society about possible volunteer opportunities. These events will likely be aquatic themed.
Past Meetings and Events:
October 28-30, 2011. ask Allison for details. Organizational Meeting for the trip will be held on Oct 20, 2011, 5pm, Hmb 124.
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 9am, Alumni Grove, CSU campus. No need to RSVP. Help clean up the local stretch of the American River.
September 20, 2011, 5:00pm, Davis. The Field Biology Group has scheduled a talk and tour at the Yolo
Basin Foundation on the Mexican Free-tail bats living in California.
There presentation will begin at 5:00pm with the group heading out
together to the viewing site after. We will have the opportunity to view one of the largest colonies
of Mexican free-tailed bats in California as it emerges to hunt
insects at sunset. We meet at the Foundations headquarters building at 45211 County
Road 32B, Davis, CA 95618. RSVP to Allison.
Once again, the Field Biology Group was represented at the annual Dodgeball throwdown (September 6, 2011). While we may have failed to advance past the first round, we fought long and hard (okay, not very long). Nonetheless, we had a lot of fun. Where else do you get to throw a ball at a Professor???
Saturday/Sunday April 16/17 Mono Lake trip. Cost is $50 and we will be updating google groups on the fee due date as well as final accommodations. We would like to have a spaghetti pot luck on the evening of the 16 th. So break out that camping gear and have a great weekend learning about Mono Lake!
The Dry Creek Environmental Assessment Project continues....
April 26, Tuesday, 5-7pm. Save the frogs day! Located in Hinde Auditorium on campus. Bring friends and family, the auditorium seats 150 people so we want to fill it up. Ask your biology professors if they are interested in offering extra credit to their students for attending. If they are interested, let Kiel or Natalie know and they will give you a flier to give to your instructor.
Saturday, March 12, Pine Hill Preserve- Docent guided walk and bird watching. Bring a bag lunch and binoculars. Carpool may still be available, contact Allison.
Sunday, February 20, 9:00am to noon.Ancil Hoffman Park
Thurs, February 24, 4:30pm Hmb 124
November 10, 2010; 7:00pm, Hmb 124.
November 18, 2010; 7:30pm, Hmb 124
October 28 , 2010; 4:30pm, Hmb 124. Recent graduate, former Field Biology Group member, and current BLM
wildlife biologist Lily Douglas returns to her roots to share her recent experiences landing a gig with the feds. Learn about the Bureau of Land Management; Gain some insight into the life of a practicing wildlife biologist; Get some essential knowledge about how to prepare for ANY job with the federal government; and better understand the complex path to federal employment.
The Field Biology Group had a highly successful workshop on aquatic plants, led by Angela De Palma-Dow. We snorkeled the waters of Rancho Seco and collected samples of aquatic plants as well as water parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, etc). The Saturday event was preceeded by a dry workshop on Thur Sept 31 in which Angela led us through identifying aquatic plants, and Dr. Tim Horner trained us on the use of various meters for recording water characteristics.
Margy Gassel spoke to a full house about the enormous vortex of plastic adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Here is a pdf copy of the flyer.
Unfortunately the waves were too high on Feb 13 for us to go whale watching. The trip is now officially rescheduled for April 10. Email Angela for details.
Tracy Audisio and Geo Groening led an expedition into the center of the earth... or at least partway there.
Dr. Lancaster gave us a presentation on his exciting work on Bats!
The Field Biology Group was well represented at this event which allowed club members to meet other students and faculty from the college.
Campus Restoration Weekend
Please RSVP to this event, remember we have both days available to work, Sat 27th and Sun 28th from 9:30 - 12:30 in the morning. We will meet at the arboretum entrance across from the parking lot that is adjacent to the student health center. We are going to be trail building, restoring, planting and weeding the riparian corridor around the north west bend of campus as well as maintenancing the CSUS arboretum. We have different duties for both days, from 9:30 - 12:30 sat and sunday, so students can work one or both days. This activity will be led by Professor Baad of the Department of Biological Sciences. This activity is a great way to positively effect campus and learn about native vegetation, please mark your calenders and come get down and dirty with the Field Biology Group! Contact Angela for details.
A determined group of FBGers headed to Half Moon Bay to go whale watching. Unfortunately, we experienced some of the largest waves this coast has seen in a while. In fact, the Mavericks surfing competition, which ONLY occurs when the surf is particularly gnarly was called to take place that day! (It didn't even happen last year because the waves weren't big enough). We got to experience just a taste of those waves. As our boat edged past the breakwater at Pillar Point marina, the captain (rightly so) decided that the waves were just too much for us to continue safely. We will be back! .
Once again, Field Biology Group put in a strong showing at the Annual NSM/EJC Turkey Bowl. A great time was had by all
Ron, Portia and Deniz participated in the Weed Warriers attack on Red Sesbania (Sesbania punicea), a non-native, invasive weed now found in the American River Parkway. Removal of Red Sesbania is an environmental stewardship project of the California Native Plant Society (Sacramento Valley Chapter). If you are interested in getting involved in this project, contact Frank Wallace (Project Director), Sacramento Weed Warriors. Email: frankw2@pacbell.net
Once again the Field Biology Group took to the arena to combat other teams at the Rec Sports Dodgeball tournament. Sadly, we did not fare well but there is always next year! Everyone had a great time.
