Engaging Community
Overview
Our community engagement efforts are focused on connecting Sonoma County communities with the work of land conservation, and building awareness of how conserving natural resources benefits us all. Our core engagement programs and activities include:
- Public Outings + Youth Education Program
- New Connections and Semillas en los Senderos program
- Participating in community events and presenting to school classes or community groups
Public Outings + Youth Education Program
Through partnerships with local organizations, we help provide outdoor experiences for over 8,000 participants a year. This program aims to provide free, high-quality outdoor opportunities to learn about and engage in the work of land conservation. All outings are hosted on Ag + Open Space-conserved lands, and transportation is provided whenever possible. Programs offered include:
- Field trips, classroom visits, outings, and workforce development programs
- Opportunities led in English & Spanish
Our current Outings + Education partners are LandPaths, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Sonoma Land Trust, Sonoma Ecology Center, Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, and Friends of the Petaluma River.
To join an upcoming free outings, check out our calendar.
New Connections Program
Ag + Open Space has developed our New Connections program as a way to collaborate with community partners serving priority audiences: Latinx communities, youth (13-24) and their families, and Indigenous communities. We collaborate with these partner organizations to host outings led by Ag + Open Space staff, and hosted on Ag + Open Space-conserved lands.
Semillas en los Senderos program
Our Semillas en los Senderos program focuses on collaborating with community partners providing place-based youth programs. Ag + Open Space works with these partners to host a series of free outings on Ag + Open Space-conserved lands.
Events + Presentations
Throughout the year, Ag + Open Space tables at and/or sponsors community events across the county. We also offer presentations to school classes and community groups, at career days and resource fairs, and more.
Please contact Irma Cuevas at irma.cuevas@sonoma-county.org if you:
- Are interested in partnering for a New Connections or Semillas en los Senderos program
- Are interested in connecting with our partners about a free classroom visit and/or field trip
- Have questions about a scheduled outing
- Would like to have an Ag + Open Space staff member present to a class or community group
- Want to invite us to table and/or sponsor an event