Archives for “Latest News”

Staff Spotlight: Carrie Johnson, Secretary

Carrie Johnson with family at the Grand Canyon

Meet our secretary Carrie Johnson, who has been with Ag + Open Space for two remarkable decades! With a rich background deeply rooted in agriculture, Carrie spent her early childhood years living with her mom and her maternal grandparents on their peach and walnut ranch in Gridley. It’s amidst the …

Read more

Property Spotlight: Oken

Blue flag marking restoration sites as the intermittent stream filled with water in last winter's storms.

As we all gear up for the rainy season, we have some updates from our Oken property – home to 76 acres of gently sloping pastureland and an intermittent stream on Petaluma Hill Road.  Oken has long been part of local agricultural heritage, and currently the Crane family, famous for …

Read more

Staff Spotlight: Taylor Acosta (she/her), Stewardship Assistant

woman smiling with a cow

Say hello to our Stewardship Assistant, Taylor Acosta. Taylor was born and raised in Humboldt County and attended Sonoma State University earning a degree in Geology while playing Division II basketball. Following graduation, she moved to Portland where she worked for Deschutes Brewery and also advanced her education earning a …

Read more

Staff spotlight: Simon Apostol, Acquisition Assistant

Man with hard hat in forest speaking to a woman

Say hello to our newest team member, Simon Apostol. Simon comes to us after working as Natural Area Manager at the Columbia Land Trust in Vancouver, WA. At the land trust, he led several conservation, management, and restoration projects including acting as a lead for the Kwoneesum Dam removal project, …

Read more

Staff Spotlight: Carly Cabrera, Community Relations Assistant

Carly Cabrera with her dog

Help us welcome one of our new Community Relations Assistants, Carly Cabrera! Carly will be focused on our online communications, leading work on our website, social media, eNews, and more. Carly has worked for the County of Sonoma for 12 years, with stints at Sonoma Water, the Department of Emergency …

Read more

Continuing to grow our Public Outings + Youth Education program

People on a hike

 “These field trips were absolutely amazing! All the staff knew so much about the ecosystems they were in and were able to answer questions while in the field… After the first lesson my students were already asking about when we would be having more! – 7th grade science teacher, Santa …

Read more

Staff Spotlight: Irma Cuevas (she/her/ella), Community Relations Assistant

A selfie of Irma Cuevas, where she is standing in front of coastal rocks and blue Pacific Ocean. She is wearing a black baseball camp, and large dark sunglasses, and smiling at the camera.

Join us in welcoming one of our new Community Relations Assistants, Irma Cuevas. Irma comes to us from the City of Santa Rosa, but spent most of the last two decades at Sonoma County Regional Parks in various roles ranging from Park Ranger Assistant to Environmental Educator to Community Engagement …

Read more

Staff Spotlight: Jen Kuszmar, Acquisition Manager

Jen Kuszmar

This month we get to hear from Jen Kuszmar, our Acquisition Manager! Jen was raised in Georgia and after attending college at the University of Georgia for two years, transferred to Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry. Jen has had the …

Read more

OUT in the Wild at Sonoma County Pride

Ag + Open Space staff pose at the Sonoma County Pride festival. They are smiling at the camera, holding signs with rainbow background that say Out in the Wild and have the Ag + Open Space logo.

This year we had the exciting honor of joining Sonoma County’s Pride Parade and Festival as a sponsor. We were thrilled to show our solidarity and contribute to this joyful celebration of our queer community.  The Pride theme this year is COMMUNITY! and these celebrations are, in the words of …

Read more

Staff Spotlight: Michelle Nozzari (she/her/ella), Administrative Aide

Michelle Nozzari

This month we heard from Michelle Nozzari, our new Administrative Aide. Before joining Ag + Open Space, she worked for the UC Cooperative Extension as an Administrative Aide, and in the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s office as a Program Assistant. Michelle is a great addition to our administrative team, all of …

Read more