On April 22, the County Board of Supervisors, acting as the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, approved the purchase of a conservation easement over the 160-acre Quailbrook Ranch on Sonoma Mountain for a price of $1,600,000. This important acquisition fulfills several of the District’s goals, including preserving a scenic view shed, protecting natural resources, and providing increased public recreational opportunities.
“It is fitting that approval of this exciting acquisition occurred on Earth Day. Protection of the Quailbrook Ranch provides multiple public benefits by preserving important scenic and biotic resources, while enhancing recreational access on Sonoma Mountain,” commented First District Supervisor Valerie Brown. “I greatly appreciate the landowners’ desire to negotiate a conservation easement to permanently protect this significant property,” added Supervisor Brown.
The Quailbrook Ranch property is located on the north slope of Sonoma Mountain, adjacent to the Jacobs Ranch and Cooke Ranch, both District protected properties. The conservation easement designates the northern 80 acres of Quailbrook Ranch as “Forever Wild” to protect the site’s extensive oak woodland and other biotic resources, with the southern 80 acres remaining agricultural and residential. A proposed trail corridor traverses the northern part of the property that will ultimately connect to Jack London State Historic Park. Future trail connections could also link the Quailbrook Trail to Crane Creek Regional Park.
On April, 8th the District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a matching grant to the City of Sebastopol, which will assist the City in completing construction of the long awaited Sebastopol Skate Park and Community Garden project.
It was through a Matching Grant in 2003, that the District helped the City to purchase a site for the park, however, it has been the tireless efforts of the City and community of Sebastopol, the West County Skate Park Association and through successful partnerships between the City, County and private groups for which this park will soon become a reality.
Skate boarders and gardeners alike await use of the park which is expected to open by June of this year!
As a match to the District’s $530,000 grant, the City has secured over $1 million for construction and has committed to the on-going maintenance costs of about $15,000 annually. Construction of the 1-acre property located on Laguna Park Way in northeast Sebastopol, will include a 15,000sq foot skate structure, irrigated raised bed garden plots and a variety of fruit trees for gardeners, garden pathways, a climbing rock, kiosk, restroom, and art sculptures and chess tables designed by local artists. The community garden will also act as an educational resource and provide a gathering space for discussions on sustainable practices, including small-scale demonstrations of composting, waste recycling and non-toxic gardening.
About the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District
Since its first acquisition in 1992, the District has protected 142 properties totaling almost 70,000 acres, through
conservation easement and fee purchases. Lands have been protected through a 1/4-cent sales tax approved by Sonoma
County voters in 1990.
