Event Date
“Life at the edge: Studying the biodiversity of tidepool animals in a changing ocean”
Although the vast majority of ocean animals lack a backbone, the striking diversity of marine invertebrates living along our coastline in California is often underappreciated. Scientists at Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) have been studying these intriguing and important animals for over 60 years. This talk will focus on recent research conducted by Dr. Sanford and his students at BML to uncover local patterns of biodiversity and to understand how tidepool animals are responding to a rapidly changing ocean. This research has received national attention from The Washington Post, Bay Nature magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and other news media. Come learn more about the Sonoma Coast’s remarkable spineless animals through Dr. Sanford’s captivating photographs, videos, and research stories!
Date: Friday, June 12th, 2026
Time: Doors open at 4:30pm, Event begins at 5:00pm
Tickets: $15 per person
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About the Speaker:
Eric Sanford is a Professor of Evolution and Ecology at the University of California Davis’ Bodega Marine Laboratory. Dr. Sanford is a marine ecologist who studies how climate change is affecting rocky shore ecosystems in California. Dr. Sanford also believes strongly in the importance of hands-on field courses, and he has received several awards from UC Davis for his undergraduate teaching and mentoring, plus the Naturalist of the Year award from the Western Society of Naturalists. Dr. Sanford earned his PhD in Zoology from Oregon State University and conducted post-doctoral research at Stanford University and Brown University before his hire at UC Davis in 2004.
Sanford Lab web page: https://www.sanford-lab.com/