Protected Lands

Archives for “News Articles”

Our Impact

  • Poised to Pounce on Prop 4

    November 26, 2024

    The landmark passing of Prop 4, more commonly known as the Climate Bond, will provide $10 billion in critical funding for clean water; protection from wildfire, sea level rise, flooding, extreme heat, and drought; and conservation of our farms, natural …

  • Be wildfire aware and ready

    July 16, 2024

    As we’ve already seen this year, fire season is in full swing. Fire safety and preparedness is a year-round endeavor, but this time of year it’s especially important for all of us to be aware of how to keep ourselves …

  • Fantastic day OUT at Sonoma County Pride

    June 26, 2024

    This is our second year of having the honor of sponsoring Sonoma County’s Pride Parade and Festival. We were thrilled to show our solidarity and contribute to this joyful celebration of our queer community.  The Pride theme this year is …

  • Digging deep into soil health best practices

    June 18, 2024

    How often do you think about soil? At Ag + Open Space, it’s part of our work to support our easement landowners in caring for their land, so our Stewardship team is always looking for ways to learn more that …

  • Partnering for the Future: Our New Connections program pilot

    April 23, 2024

    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, …

  • Wildlife Cameras and the Importance of Wildlife Corridors

    April 23, 2024

    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 …

  • Staff spotlight: Catherine Iantosca, Senior Stewardship Specialist

    April 23, 2024

    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. …

  • Stewarding the land with “good fire” at Haroutunian South

    March 25, 2024

    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 …

  • Our accomplishments from 2023: A year in review

    December 20, 2023

    This past year we really ramped into high gear. We closed several projects that conserve critical natural resources for future generations, deepened our commitment to our communities, and began to see the Vital Lands Initiative spring to life. We are …

  • Property Spotlight: Oken

    November 20, 2023

    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 …