About Us

The people of Sonoma County are committed to protecting forever the working farms and ranches, scenic hillsides and natural areas that make our county a unique place to live. In 1990, county residents voted to create the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District to preserve these lands across the county. With funds generated from a voter-approved quarter-cent sales tax, we have been able to permanently preserve over 75,000 acres of open space and agricultural land.

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How We Conduct Business

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District was one of the first districts in the country established to protect agricultural lands. District boundaries are the same as the boundaries of Sonoma County and the County Board of Supervisors serves as the Board of Directors. An independent Open Space Authority monitors all sales tax expenditures and a Citizen’s Advisory Committee advises the Board and staff on policy matters and proposed land protection efforts.

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Long-Range Acquisition Plan

In July 2006, the District completed Connecting Communities and the Land: A Long-Range Acquisition Plan. It focuses the District’s future land protection efforts on strategic additions near existing protected lands to create a connected network of great open spaces: agricultural lands, greenbelts, natural areas, multi-use trails, streams, parks and preserves where people can enjoy scenic rural areas and local agricultural products. The title of the plan, Connecting Communities and the Land: A Long Range Acquisition Plan, reflects that vision.

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Our Mission

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations.