Naturalist Nights

Refer to the schedule below for topics covered each week and register for as many or as few presentations as you'd like to begin building your knowledge about the ecology, wildlife, and history of the Upper Newport Bay. Each talk will be presented via Zoom with closed captioning provided for accessibility. Registered attendees will receive the Zoom link by email as the event date/time approaches.

Recordings will be made available to registered attendees by request only.

Schedule

9/3/26: Estuary Ecology & Endangered Species with Dick Zembal, NBC & OCWD

• Join local biologist and endangered species expert Dick Zembal to learn about the ecology of the Upper Newport Bay estuary and some of the special endangered species that we find in and around it.

9/10/26: Post-Colonial History of the Bay & Our Watershed with Gwenn Abrams, NBC

• In this session, NBC Naturalist Gwenn Abrams will delve into the modern history of the Bay and our watershed, and how it was saved from development by the founders of our organization.

9/17/26: Plastic Pollution: Science & Solutions with Trina Miller, Algalita

• Get ready for Coastal Cleanup Day (Sat, Sept 19) by learning all about the history and lifecycle of plastics, the environmental issues they create, and solutions we can all implement with Algalita's Education Coordinator, Trina Miller.

9/24/26: Plants of Newport Bay and Orange County with Ron Vanderhoff, CA NPS

• Explore the world of plants from their basic biology to the communities and habitats they create around the Bay and Orange County with local plant expert Ron Vanderhoff.

10/1/26: Climate Change: Science, Impacts & Solutions with Shahir Masri, UCI

• Learn the science behind climate change, some of its impacts, and how we all can make a difference from air pollution specialist and climate change communication researcher, Shahir Masri.

10/15/26: Reptiles & Amphibians with Barry Nerhus, ICRE

• Learn what makes reptiles and amphibians unique and which ones you might find around the Bay and Orange County with local expert Barry Nerhus.

10/29/26: Insects & Spiders with Bob Allen, author of Wildflowers of Orange County

• Come with an open mind and local author and naturalist Bob Allen is sure to leave you with a greater appreciation for the fascinating world of insects and spiders!

11/5/26: Newport Bay Conservancy Annual Meeting with our Board of Directors

• Join our Board of Directors to learn the current state of our organization and hear a review of our accomplishments over the past year.

11/12/26: How to Look at a Bird with Bettina Eastman, NBC & Sea&Sage Audubon

• Learn how to look at a bird and begin your birding journey with long-time birder, NBC Naturalist, and Sea & Sage Audubon volunteer Bettina Eastman.

11/19/26: Fishes & Tides with TBD

• Dive into a deeper understanding of marine habitats in this talk all about tides and the fishes of the Bay.

12/3/26: Student Proposal Presentations by the Naturalist Trainees

• In our final session of the fall, this year's Naturalist Trainees will present proposals for new programs to be run at the Upper Newport Bay. Join us to listen to their proposals and vote on your favorites - there's a chance you'll get to see them implemented in the future!