The Secret Language of Pacific Chorus Frogs
free community webinar
March 21, 2026
10-11am PST
Join us as we welcome Dr. Alejandro Vélez Meléndez, who will share how frogs use sound to communicate, how their environment shapes their calls, and why these tiny voices play such an important role in their social lives. He’ll highlight fascinating research projects happening in sites closeby, and we’ll also connect that science to the Pacific chorus frogs right here on our own coast.
Dr. Alejandro Vélez Meléndez is an Associate Professor of Biology, where he studies animal communication and sensory ecology, with a focus on how frogs and other animals use sound to interact with each other and their environments. His research integrates behavior, physiology, and evolution to better understand how communication systems develop and respond to environmental change. He has received competitive grants and honors for his work, including an NSF CAREER Award supporting research in communication and sensory ecology. In addition to his research, he is a dedicated educator and mentor who is passionate about connecting science to conservation and community understanding of local wildlife.
COastAl Erosion and Geology Talk with Dr. Gary griggs
free community webinar
MAy 16, 2026
10-11am PST
Join the Coastside Land Trust as we welcome Dr. Gary Griggs for an engaging webinar exploring coastal erosion and timely geology insights affecting the San Mateo Coast. Dr. Griggs will share current science, local observations, and what changing coastal conditions mean for our shoreline communities and habitats. This talk offers a valuable opportunity to better understand the forces shaping our coast and the future of this dynamic landscape.
Dr. Gary Griggs is a distinguished professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he has taught and conducted research on coastal processes, hazards, and sea-level rise for more than five decades. He has authored numerous books and scientific articles, and is widely recognized for his expertise in coastal geology, shoreline erosion, and the impacts of climate change. Dr. Griggs also writes the popular “Our Ocean Backyard” column and has been honored as one of California’s Coastal Heroes for his contributions to science and public outreach.