On June 10, Ag + Open Space and CAL FIRE completed a prescribed burn at our Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve. At 2.8 acres, this grassland burn was small but has the potential to have a big impact – its aim was to enhance habitat for a critically endangered plant, …
Flowers, and bees, and crops, oh my! Whether it’s a farm, a ranch, or even your urban backyard garden, pollinators – and encouraging the habitats that attract and sustain them – are integral to agricultural operations, biodiversity, pest control, and so much more. To put into perspective the importance of …
Following the 2020 wildfire season, which included the devastating Glass Fire, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors established the Sonoma County Vegetation Management Grant Program to provide resources and grant funding for vegetation management in areas at high risk of wildfire. In its four grant funding cycles, the Vegetation Management …
Many will remember the iconic words, “If you build it, they will come.” In the case of the Crane Creek Regional Park Expansion and Copeland Creek Trail Extension project, it’s more like, “If they come, we will build it.” A project that has been in the works for over 15 …
We’re proud to celebrate a major milestone in the journey of the Southeast Greenway – a project that just received the Merit Award for Acquisition from the California Council of the American Society of Landscape Architects! This prestigious award recognizes the collaborative efforts that have brought this transformative project closer to reality, with Ag …
Sue Jackson was more than just an exceptional administrator—she was a cornerstone of Ag + Open Space, a fierce advocate for her colleagues, and a source of endless laughter and support. She first joined our staff in 2009, bringing with her a meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment …
Don McEnhill Deputy Director, Russian Riverkeeper My day job is working for Russian Riverkeeper, which works to protect and restore our watershed environment for the benefit of current and future generations. For much of the past 25 years we’ve worked to reduce pollution and habitat destruction in the watershed. One of the things I …
Jenner Headlands Preserve is a stunner – with over 5,600 acres of coastal prairie, oak and redwood forests, and views that truly awe and inspire. Running for 2.5 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway, the Headlands is part of the historical lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, and …
While planning may not sound like the most exciting endeavor, it’s an essential step in caring for conserved lands. Early conservationists focused their plans on leaving the land alone as a response to less-than-ideal land management techniques like aggressive forestry, land conversion, and fire suppression. But over time it’s become …
As we begin 2025, we reflect on a year of meaningful progress in our mission to preserve Sonoma County’s agricultural, natural, recreational, and scenic lands for future generations. This year, we conserved critical lands that enhance biodiversity, protect water resources, and support sustainable agriculture. Our stewardship efforts have deepened through …