Our work continues while we Shelter-in-Place
One month into this Shelter in Place Order and our hearts continue to go out to everyone in our community during these uncertain and unprecedented times. Even under challenging circumstances, our staff continues to work diligently to achieve our community’s vision to conserve vital working and natural lands. While our offices remain closed until at least May 3, most of our staff is working from home, moving forward with several exciting upcoming acquisition projects, planning for fuel reduction measures on our fee properties, and putting the final touches on the Vital Lands Initiative.
Over the last several weeks the Ag + Open Space team has accomplished a great deal:
- We welcomed two new staff members! Alex Young joined our Conservation Planning team as GIS Coordinator, and Taylor Acosta joined as our newest Stewardship Technician.
- The 54-acre Cooper Creek expansion to Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve project closed. More on that project here.
- The conservation easement on Jacobson Ranch was finalized, complete with a very unique and safe meeting for Walt and Arleen Jaconsen to sign the final easement paperwork. Check out the great photo here.
- We have continued to work on finalizing our Vital Lands Initiative, including working on an interactive map and Executive Summary that will help us share our vision for the next 10 years with our communities.
- Our Public Outings + Youth Education program presented five new contracts to the Board, and all were approved. Through work with the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, LandPaths, Sonoma Ecology Center, the Sonoma and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts, and the Sonoma Land Trust, Ag + Open Space is excited to continue providing on-land outings and field trips for Sonoma County community members as soon as it’s safe to do so again.
- Our Stewardship team remains hard at work preparing for transfers of designated protected lands to Sonoma County Regional Parks, checking in with landowners, and continuing stewardship projects on protected lands within proper safety bounds.
Additionally, many of our staff have been called upon to support the County’s emergency response work and have been putting in long hours to help keep Sonoma County’s communities safe.
While so much feels in flux, our entire staff has remained committed to doing the work to keep our protected lands healthy and safe. We’re grateful for everyone that is doing their part to stay home when they can, wear masks when they’re out, and otherwise helping to take care of one another. Stay safe, and we look forward to sharing more with you all soon.