We access state and federal funding sources to stretch our sales tax dollars. Most recently, we’ve garnered funds from the following sources: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, we have brought in $11.5 million for agricultural conservation easements and conservation planning through the agency’s …
As we reflect on the last year we find ourselves full of gratitude for our amazing Sonoma County community. Every day, we strive to thank you all through our work – protecting the natural and working lands of Sonoma County. As 2021 begins, we took some time to reflect on …
After the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, Ag + Open Space led a study to evaluate how those wildfires impacted vegetation within burn zones. Since then, we’ve been honored to share the findings with local government agencies, land conservation organizations, and most recently in a California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) …
As wildfire season winds down and we transition to winter, we are reflecting on what we can learn from this year’s fires as we continue our preparedness and resiliency work. As with all of the fires in the last few years, the Walbridge Fire impacted several properties protected by Ag …
Greetings Ag + Open Space Community, On this my last day as General Manager, I want to take a few moments to reflect on my time at Ag + Open Space. When I started in July 2008 as Assistant General Manager, we had recently passed a new 20-year funding reauthorization, …
During the Glass Fire, which is now thankfully 100% contained, Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve burned almost entirely. The Preserve is closed at present to volunteer patrollers as we assess and mitigate hazards so that community members can safely visit again. Our first priorities are to address bulldozer line and culvert repair, …
In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sonoma County agricultural community, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space commissioned an economic study to examine the effects of the pandemic on food-producing businesses in Sonoma County from 2020 to 2023.
Through our Public Outings and Youth Education program, we help support Sonoma Ecology Center’s EnviroLeaders program that provides Sonoma Valley teens with the opportunity to gain essential job and life skills through practical, environmentally-focused training. The semester-long, paid work experience focuses on sustainable agriculture, community building, and park stewardship. Through …
While some aspects of our work have been limited due to the COVID-19 emergency, we have continued to complete several stewardship projects on our fee lands, the properties that we own and manage. From general maintenance to prepping these lands for wildfire season, our staff has been hard at work. …
We’ve always known that our parks and open spaces provide significant mental and physical health benefits to our community, and the current COVID-19 crisis has only underscored the importance of these lands. That’s why we were thrilled to see the recent re-opening of all our local parks and open space …