Post-Prescribed Burn and Grassland Ecology Workshop at the Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve

The Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve is owned and stewarded by Ag + Open Space and is home to nine documented special-status plants as well as a rich diversity of vegetation communities, wildlife, fungi, and aquatic habitats. This workshop will provide an opportunity to visit a grassland in the springtime following a prescribed burn and to learn about why this location was selected for intentional burning, how the burn was planned and conducted, and what the initial results have been.  We’ll discuss California native grasslands, the role fire can play in the stewardship of rare and endangered plants, and how we can nuance burn planning and operations to protect special-status species, achieve effective invasive species control, avoid harm to wildlife, and support ecosystem health.  The workshop is intended for land stewards, fire practitioners, and community members who are interested in the ecology and flora of our region.

The Clara Hunt prescribed burn was conducted in June 2025 with support from Cal Fire and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and was intended to enhance habitat for federally endangered Clara Hunt’s milk vetch.  The workshop will involve a hike of about 3 miles round-trip through moderately steep terrain, an unimproved creek crossing, and discussion time spent in a sunny meadow.  It will be led by Monica Delmartini, Stewardship Specialist and fire ecologist with Ag + Open Space, and co-led by Tony Passantino, Education Program Manager with Sonoma Ecology Center.  Monica manages the Saddle Mountain Preserve and has 20 years of experience with prescribed fire and fire ecology across a wide variety of California habitats.  Her work focuses on supporting multi-benefit habitat restoration and fire management projects countywide, community engagement, fire ecology and fire behavior research, and honoring Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous land stewardship.

There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.

Meeting Location: Meet at Rincon Valley Public Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95409