Archives for “Latest News”

Staff spotlight: Mary Thayer, Executive Secretary

Mary Thayer

Mary is  a California native who graduated from Madison High School in San Diego and attended college in San Bernardino and Sacramento before graduating with an AA degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. Mary now lives in Rohnert Park, and has four children, three of which live in Sonoma County. …

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Lorri Duckworth remembered

Lorri Duckworth

We at Ag + Open Space are profoundly saddened by the recent passing of long-time farmer and community advocate, Lorri Duckworth. As some of our most well-known easement landowners, Lorri, her husband Oscar, and their children have been inspirational in their passion for agriculture and the importance of connecting our …

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Partnering for the Future: Our New Connections program pilot

Students kayaking at Riverfront Park

At the heart of Ag + Open Space’s commitment to both the land and the future are growing relationships with the communities and organizations who share a common mission. Ag + Open Space, in partnership with several local nonprofit partners, is not only dedicated to preserving the diverse agricultural, natural …

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Wildlife Cameras and the Importance of Wildlife Corridors

Bobcat in camera footage

Recently, we embarked on an exciting endeavor at our Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve – to start gathering footage of our dedication to conservation with the installation of a wildlife camera. Positioned strategically within the preserve, our camera has become a silent sentinel, capturing the comings and goings of the …

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Staff spotlight: Catherine Iantosca, Senior Stewardship Specialist

Catherine and a man in front of water

Catherine grew up in Santa Rosa and studied environmental science at Sonoma State and UC Santa Barbara. She has worked with Ag + Open Space for 6 years, originally as a Stewardship Technician and currently as a Senior Stewardship Specialist. In her free time Catherine enjoys cooking, hiking and cycling, …

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Staff spotlight: Olivia Fiori (she/her), Acquisition Specialist

Photo of Olivia Fiori

Prior to working at Ag + Open Space, Olivia worked at The Conservation Fund for nearly 9 years, where she focused on sustainable timber harvesting, forest monitoring, wildlife management (including working with northern spotted owls), archaeological surveys, erosion control and maintenance, and more, including on one of our conservation easements …

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Stewarding the land with “good fire” at Haroutunian South

A pile of dry vegetation burns in the background

The Haroutunian South property is a greenbelt – an open space property that acts as community separator between Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. Purchased by Ag + Open Space in 1995, the property is home to  an old orchard, vernal pools, California tiger salamander, as well as the endangered plants …

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Staff Spotlight: Jake Newell, Stewardship Supervisor

Jake with bulls in the background

Jake grew up on the urban edge of Red Bluff, CA on a small suburban street constructed in the dwindling expanse of valley oak savannah. He spent his playtime wandering the savannah, listening to birdsong, watching out for rattlesnakes and bulls, and playing with his brothers and friends. As the …

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Staff spotlight: Steph Tavares (she/her), Sr. Acquisition Specialist

Steph in the snow

Steph grew up in an agricultural demonstration park in the Salinas Valley, where her dad was a ranger. She has a BA in Global Studies and History from UCSB and a JD and Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law and Graduate School. She is the green sheep …

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Staff spotlight: Leslie Lew (she/her), Natural Resources Specialist

Leslie Lew working a prescribed burn.

Prior to joining Ag + Open Space, Leslie was the Chief of the US Fish and Wildlife Service – California\Nevada Wildlife Refuge Planning Office. Leslie has worked in habitat restoration, flood control, trail building, preserve management, and prescribed fire work. She has worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers, …

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