Celebrating the Legacy of Supervisor Susan Gorin: A Champion for Sonoma County’s Open Spaces

December 26, 2024

Posted in: People & Places

As we bid farewell to District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin after 12 years of dedicated service, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space reflects on her extraordinary contributions to preserving the natural beauty and community resources of our region. Susan’s tenure has left an indelible mark on the landscapes and open spaces that make Sonoma County such a special place to live. 

Susan Gorin posing outdoors

Over her three terms as an Ag + Open Space Director, Susan was involved in an astonishing 48 Ag + Open Space projects. Each of these projects reflects her unwavering commitment to protecting the agricultural, scenic and natural lands that define Sonoma County. Among her many accomplishments, Susan was instrumental in creating and enhancing iconic spaces such as Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve and North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, as well as expansions to Sonoma Valley Regional Park and Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. 

Susan has been a fierce advocate for community-focused programs including the Community Spaces Matching Grant Program, which helps fund local projects that align with Ag + Open Space’s mission. Her support for renovations at Maxwell Farms Park is just one example of her commitment to creating accessible, welcoming spaces for all residents. 

Susan’s legacy goes beyond her policy achievements. Her love for the outdoors and her ability to balance her inner compass have been a guiding force in her leadership. She has taught us all that preserving open spaces is not just about protecting land—it’s about nurturing the health, well-being, and identity of our community. 

As Susan steps into her well-deserved retirement, we at Ag + Open Space extend our deepest gratitude for her work preserving the trails, parks, open spaces and ag lands she helped protect. These spaces will stand as a lasting testament to her service and vision. 

From all of us at Ag + Open Space, thank you Susan, for your leadership and dedicated service to preserving the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations.