Centers & Preserves

The Environmental Technology Center (ETC)

A model for sustainable building techniques and technologies, this center includes extensive energy management control technologies, environmentally-sensitive materials, passive solar heating and cooling, daylighting technologies, and a roof-integrated photovoltaic system. It serves as a training facility for building professionals and teachers as well as an educational and research site.

As a "building that teaches," the Center's mission is focused on solutions to the effects of buildings on the environment, economy and people. The ETC provides educational resources and technical assistance to design/construction professionals, students, local government, businesses and community members.


Fairfield Osborn Preserve

Fairfield Osborn Preserve was established by The Nature Conservancy in 1972 through the generosity of William and Joan Roth in honor of Joan's father, Fairfield Osborn. The Preserve was donated to Sonoma State University in 1997 for use as an educational and research site. In 2004, William and Joan Roth donated an additional 190 acres to the Preserve, nearly doubling its size, and including the scenic ridgeline of Sonoma Mountain.

The Preserve is dedicated to protecting and restoring natural communities and to fostering ecological understanding through education and research. It is administered by the School of Science and Technology at Sonoma State University.

Fairfield Osborn Preserve is owned and managed by Sonoma State University. Full time staff includes a director who is a facuty member at the University, and a Site Manager who also serves as coordinator of education programs. Part time staff includes an Education Assistant, a Land Steward, and a Web Site Manager. Between 45-60 dedicated volunteers serve as Naturalists, Classroom Presenters, and Trail Crew members. Financial support is provided by the Friends of the Preserve, a loyal group of individuals who donate regularly to support our programs.

Galbreath Wildlands Preserve

Sonoma State University's Galbreath Wildlands Preserve (GWP) is nestled in the Coast Range of northern California and is 3,670 acres in size (1486 hectares). Located approximately 17 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean in southern Mendocino County, this topographically diverse landscape ranges from 900 to 2,200 feet in elevation and offers a wealth of habitat types, including coniferous forests (Douglas-fir and redwood), mixed hardwood-conifer forests (Douglas-fir, tanoak, madrone), oak woodlands (mostly black and Oregon white oaks), annual grasslands and riparian corridors. The Rancheria Creek flows north through the preserve, along with numerous seasonal tributaries, and drains into the Navarro River.

This spectacular land was donated to Sonoma State University in October 2004 to honor the memory of Fred Burckhalter Galbreath (1901-2000). Galbreath purchased this property in 1944 and loved to explore it on foot and horseback. He enjoyed hunting wild boar and black-tailed deer, raised Merino sheep, and sold wool produced on the land to Pendleton Mills. Professionally, Galbreath made his mark in the marine insurance business in San Francisco and spent decades working with some of the biggest names in the industry. When he retired in 1998, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown declared a day in his honor. Galbreath died in April 2000 at the age of 98 and is survived by his two daughters, Nancy and Sue, and their families.

Institute for Community Planning Assistance (ICPA)

About ICPA

The Institute for Community Planning Assistance (ICPA) is a non-profit research center sponsored by the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning at Sonoma State University. The main purposes of ICPA are:

  1. To engage in community service by making needed services available to local agencies at low-cost
  2. To provide a mechanism for faculty and student research in the areas of community and environmental planning
  3. To further the education and professional development of planning students by complementing their classroom and internship experience
  4. To provide financial assistance in the form of wages to student employees who are hired on an as-needed basis to fill various research and support roles.

Studies undertaken by ICPA are directed by University faculty who often donate the majority of their services. Student Assistants are carefully screened in order to match skills and interests with the unique needs of each project.

The Institute has been extremely busy in the last few years, employing ten students while handling almost $250,000 in contracts with local non-profits and governments. Sample projects include the Keller Canyon Property Valuation Study (Contra Costa County), Design Guidelines for Crow Canyon Area (City of San Ramon), a Petaluma Tree Inventory, and a Napa County Sign Inventory.

For More Information

Core faculty involved in coordinating ICPA are:

M. Thomas Jacobson, J.D., MCP, AICP 707/ 664-3145 e-mail: tom.jacobson@sonoma.edu

To be placed on the mailing list for the Annual Planning Seminar call 707/664-2306.

The SSU Botanical and Kenneth M. Stocking Native Plant Garden

A showcase of diverse California plant communities and a quiet place for education and relaxation. Located near the campus lakes, the garden includes a guided trail through woodland, marsh and riparian ecosystems.