Upcoming Public Events
Photo of Rock Balancing Gathering

Create-with-Nature Gathering on Leadbetter Beach: Free Community Creativity
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 2pm - 6pm (arrive anytime)
Free, public, all-ages event
Leadbetter Beach,
Santa Barbara, CA ( map )
Join in and create with nature and each other, working with the sand, rocks, shells, sticks, seaweed and other treasures of Leadbetter Beach. Wheelchair accessible using Freedom Trax devices (see Eventbrite link below for details).
Registration requested via Eventbrite.
More info: Eventbrite page.
Photo of Rock Balancing Gathering

Rock Balancing Gathering - San Francisco - 18th Edition
Saturday April 4, 2026, 1pm - 3:30pm (arrive anytime)
Free, public, all-ages event
Crissy Field (Just East of the Warming Hut Cafe),
San Francisco, CA ( map )
Free and open to all ages. Instruction provided. Registration requested.
More info: Eventbrite event page
Current Projects & Installations
Logo showing golden gate bridge, tree, flower , and bird surrounding two people holding hands. Text reads
San Francisco Children & Nature
Since 2018 I've been part of the Nature Connection Design team for San Francisco Children & Nature, a cross-sector collaborative of over 30 government agencies, non-profit institutions, and community-based organizations striving to ensure that every child has opportunities to play, learn and grow in nature. We are guided by the SF Environmental Justice communities map. One of our projects has been to develop design criteria and collaborate in creating the ten Nature Exploration Areas shown in this interactive map and info page.
Nine sand globes, each balanced on a different rock near the shore the San Francisco Bay, with Golden Gate Bridge in background
Sand Globes Worldwide
Since discovering a technique for making near-perfect spheres from just sand and water in 2000, I've used sand globe making as an avenue to connect people with each other and with coastal areas. Free public beach-cleanup events combining sand globe making with environmental stewardship have been a great success. I've launched an effort to spread sand globe making worldwide using social media and a "how-to" video that has had thousands of views. Read more.
Nine sand globes, each balanced on a different rock near the shore the San Francisco Bay, with Golden Gate Bridge in background
Beach Propellers Worldwide
Making and moving on a beach propeller, on your own or with others, is a joyful and creative way to make ephemeral art, get a work out, meditate, play, dance, embody mathematics and physics, and connect with coastal areas and other people. I call this shape a beach propeller to describe the shape and also to evoke the feeling of propulsion that comes when you move on one. I hope you'll join in! See more.
A group of 7 children and 3 adults making ephemeral sculptures with leaves, sticks, rocks and branches in a garden-based Create-with-Nature Zone
Create-with-Nature Zone at The University of California Blake Garden, Kensington, CA ( map )
Open to the public, no admission fee, Monday through Friday, 8am - 4pm

Using materials provided from the 11-acre Blake Garden, visitors are invited to create with nature. Read more.
Two photos, side by side. On the left, a woman kneels and creates patterens with sticks along the pathway; on the right, 4 adults and a child point out creations inside the pathway border
Create-with-Nature Zone in Redwood Regional Park, Oakland, CA
Open to the public every day, 5am-10pm (click "Read more" for additional info including parking fees on some weekend days).
A designated area for creating with natural materials from the park. Read more.