The San Francisco State University Sierra Nevada Field Campus (SNFC) has announced its 2026 summer schedule of immersive field courses and workshops, offering hands-on learning opportunities for high school students (with parent chaperones), college students, educators, and community members interested in exploring the natural sciences, arts, and culture of the Sierra Nevada.
Located off Gold Lake Hwy & Highway 49’s scenic byway near Bassets Station in the northern Sierra, the Sierra Nevada Field Campus is a research and education field station dedicated to building an inclusive community of learning around ecology, land management, art, music, and cultural traditions. The campus hosts field-based classes, workshops, retreats, and research opportunities while serving both the San Francisco State University community and the broader public throughout California and beyond.
All courses are open to community participants, and some offer academic credit through San Francisco State University, giving participants the opportunity to earn college units while studying in the field.
“Learning outdoors renews the connection between people, place, and self,” said SNFC Director Lynx Gallagher. “Our programs bring together scientists, artists, students, and community members to explore the Sierra Nevada through hands-on discovery.”
Diverse Courses in Science, Art, and the Natural WorldThe 2026 schedule includes classes in field biology, ecology, astronomy, geology, nature writing, birding, environmental activism, painting, and more. Participants will explore the region’s landscapes through both scientific investigation and creative expression.
Available courses from the 2026 program include:
● Birds of the Sierra Nevada (May 31–June 5)
● Bird Song and Wildlife Sound Recording (June 6–13)
● Birding by Ear in the Sierra (June 14–19)
● Play of Light and Shadows: Oil Painting in the Sierra (June 14–19)
● Songwriting in the High Sierra (June 21–26)
● Beginning Birding (June 28–July 3)
● ART 470: The Mobile Studio – Creative Research in the Outdoors (June 28–July 3)
● Butterflies and Moths of the Sierra Nevada (July 5–10)
● Night Photography (July 12–17)
● Practical Observational Astronomy in the Sierra Nevada (July 12–17)
● Gathering Stones: Writing Poetry by the River (July 19–24)
● Natural Dyes and Pigments of the Sierra Nevada (July 19–24) *New Course!*
● Fly Fishing in the North Yuba Watershed (July 26–28)
● Medicinal and Edible Wild Plants (July 26–29)
● Natural History of the Sierra Nevada (Aug 16–21)
● Botanical Printing (Aug 16–21) *New Course!*
● Secrets Among the Oaks of the North Yuba Watershed (Aug 23-28)
● Natural History of Gold Lakes Basin: Stars, Geology, and Plants (Aug 23–26) *New Course!*
A full list of classes and dates is available through the Sierra Nevada Field Campus registration portal: https://sierra.sfsu.edu/2026-classes-workshops
Scholarships and Stipends AvailableTo make programs accessible, several funding opportunities are available: https://sierra.sfsu.edu/grants-and-scholarships
● The Northern Sierra Research Award, offering up to $5,000 annually to graduate students conducting research related to the Northern Sierra.
● Friends of the SNFC Stipends, designed to help early-career professionals and community members access field campus programs.
Full-time college students from any campus are eligible for reduced rates!
Registration and InformationRegistration for Summer 2026 programs is now open. Several classes have already filled, and early registration is encouraged.
For class listings, scholarship information, or registration details, contact:
Sierra Nevada Field Campus
Email: [email protected]
More information about the Sierra Nevada Field Campus and its programs is available through San Francisco State University. Classes fill up quickly, so make sure to reserve your spot now!
Located off Gold Lake Hwy & Highway 49’s scenic byway near Bassets Station in the northern Sierra, the Sierra Nevada Field Campus is a research and education field station dedicated to building an inclusive community of learning around ecology, land management, art, music, and cultural traditions. The campus hosts field-based classes, workshops, retreats, and research opportunities while serving both the San Francisco State University community and the broader public throughout California and beyond.
All courses are open to community participants, and some offer academic credit through San Francisco State University, giving participants the opportunity to earn college units while studying in the field.
“Learning outdoors renews the connection between people, place, and self,” said SNFC Director Lynx Gallagher. “Our programs bring together scientists, artists, students, and community members to explore the Sierra Nevada through hands-on discovery.”
Diverse Courses in Science, Art, and the Natural WorldThe 2026 schedule includes classes in field biology, ecology, astronomy, geology, nature writing, birding, environmental activism, painting, and more. Participants will explore the region’s landscapes through both scientific investigation and creative expression.
Available courses from the 2026 program include:
● Birds of the Sierra Nevada (May 31–June 5)
● Bird Song and Wildlife Sound Recording (June 6–13)
● Birding by Ear in the Sierra (June 14–19)
● Play of Light and Shadows: Oil Painting in the Sierra (June 14–19)
● Songwriting in the High Sierra (June 21–26)
● Beginning Birding (June 28–July 3)
● ART 470: The Mobile Studio – Creative Research in the Outdoors (June 28–July 3)
● Butterflies and Moths of the Sierra Nevada (July 5–10)
● Night Photography (July 12–17)
● Practical Observational Astronomy in the Sierra Nevada (July 12–17)
● Gathering Stones: Writing Poetry by the River (July 19–24)
● Natural Dyes and Pigments of the Sierra Nevada (July 19–24) *New Course!*
● Fly Fishing in the North Yuba Watershed (July 26–28)
● Medicinal and Edible Wild Plants (July 26–29)
● Natural History of the Sierra Nevada (Aug 16–21)
● Botanical Printing (Aug 16–21) *New Course!*
● Secrets Among the Oaks of the North Yuba Watershed (Aug 23-28)
● Natural History of Gold Lakes Basin: Stars, Geology, and Plants (Aug 23–26) *New Course!*
A full list of classes and dates is available through the Sierra Nevada Field Campus registration portal: https://sierra.sfsu.edu/2026-classes-workshops
Scholarships and Stipends AvailableTo make programs accessible, several funding opportunities are available: https://sierra.sfsu.edu/grants-and-scholarships
● The Northern Sierra Research Award, offering up to $5,000 annually to graduate students conducting research related to the Northern Sierra.
● Friends of the SNFC Stipends, designed to help early-career professionals and community members access field campus programs.
Full-time college students from any campus are eligible for reduced rates!
Registration and InformationRegistration for Summer 2026 programs is now open. Several classes have already filled, and early registration is encouraged.
For class listings, scholarship information, or registration details, contact:
Sierra Nevada Field Campus
Email: [email protected]
More information about the Sierra Nevada Field Campus and its programs is available through San Francisco State University. Classes fill up quickly, so make sure to reserve your spot now!
