Protected Lands

Archives for “News Articles”

Our Impact

  • Continuing to grow our Public Outings + Youth Education program

    July 27, 2023

     “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 …

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

    July 27, 2023

    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 …

  • Staff Spotlight: Jen Kuszmar, Acquisition Manager

    June 22, 2023

    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 …

  • OUT in the Wild at Sonoma County Pride

    June 22, 2023

    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 …

  • Press Democrat Editorial: Preserving a Sonoma Coast treasure

    June 12, 2023

    THE EDITORIAL BOARD THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | June 11, 2023 Sonoma County’s world-class coastal beaches and parks are poised to grow this summer when the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District buys Chanslor Ranch. The 378-acre ranch, just …

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

    May 26, 2023

    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 …

  • Helping the land flourish at Hayfork Ranch

    May 15, 2023

    “In the springtime it’s so roaring that it can sound like someone with a power-saw, but it’s the birds chirping in masses,” says Alma O’Brien, owner of Hayfork Ranch just northeast of Santa Rosa.  Hayfork is a 216-acre ranch nestled …

  • Staff Spotlight: Kendall Gutt (she/her), Stewardship Technician

    April 27, 2023

    This month, we got a chance to check in with Kendall Gutt, one of our awesome new Stewardship Technicians. Prior to working with us, Kendall worked for both Regional Parks and Sonoma Land Trust, where she focused on land stewardship …

  • Balanced land management at Paula Lane Open Space Preserve

    April 27, 2023

    Paula Lane Open Space Preserve, an 11-acre grassland in northwestern Petaluma, and is one of several community open space preserves protected by Ag + Open Space through our Matching Grant Program. In 2012, we partnered with the City of Petaluma, …

  • Staff Spotlight: Lukas Steinrueck, Stewardship Technician

    March 30, 2023

    In this month’s staff spotlight we welcome Lukas Steinrueck (he/him), who recently joined our team as a Stewardship Technician. Lukas moved to Sonoma County after graduating from Humboldt State University with a degree in Wildlife Conservation. Since moving here, Lukas …