As we celebrate 35 years of protecting the natural and working lands of Sonoma County, we reflect on the incredible milestones made possible through community partnerships and shared commitment. From safeguarding critical wildlife habitat to preserving beloved open spaces and family farms, each property tells a story of conservation and care. Together, we’ve protected over 122,000 acres—ensuring these treasured landscapes remain for generations to come.

Taylor Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve

The Taylor Mountain Regional Parks and Open Space Preserve, encompassing a total of approximately 1,085.64 acres of land, is located in southeast Santa Rosa. Between 1995 and 2011, Ag + Open Space acquired five contiguous properties in southeast Santa Rosa: the Matteri, Bath/Watt, Nunes, Taylor Mountain Ranch (also known as Russell), and Van Steyn properties, which collectively comprise the property. Ag + Open Space transferred the property to Regional Parks, retaining a conservation easement to preserve the conservation values of the property and a Recreation Covenant to ensure the Property is open to the public for low-intensity recreational purposes in perpetuity. 

The Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve includes the headwaters of Cooper Creek, Colgan Creek, and Todd Creek, all within the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed. The riparian corridors of these creeks provide critical migration corridors for wildlife that migrate from the Laguna de Santa Rosa through the cities of Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park to the uplands of Taylor Mountain. 

There are numerous springs and associated wetlands on the Property that provide a diversity of plant communities. The forests, grasslands, and seasonal wetlands on the Property serve as a groundwater recharge and storage area, and buffer nearby urban areas from higher stormwater flows.