Archives for “News Articles”

  • Staff Spotlight: Raquel Guevara-Bolanos, Stewardship Technician

    February 27, 2023

    In this month’s Staff Spotlight we welcome Raquel Guevara-Bolanos, who recently joined our team as a Stewardship Technician. Raquel most recently worked at Sonoma Water, where she led workshops on riparian habitat, salmon, and the role of land management.  She …

  • Staff Spotlight: Lauren Alpert, Community Relations Specialist

    January 26, 2023

    This month we’re hearing from Lauren Alpert, our Community Relations Specialist. Recently promoted from Community Relations Assistant, Lauren’s focus is on engaging Sonoma County community members in the work of Ag + Open Space and our land conservation community at-large. …

  • Sonoma Mag: Public Lands Preservationist, Misti Arias

    January 10, 2023

    Originally published in January 2023 print issue of Sonoma Magazine In 1996, fresh out of Sonoma State University with a degree in environmental studies, Misti Arias joined the relatively new Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Last May, …

  • Our accomplishments from 2022: A year in review

    December 20, 2022

    Over the last 30+ years, Ag + Open Space has conserved over 12% of our county’s natural and working lands. As we look back on 2022, we’re proud of the work we’ve done to increase the scale, pace, and equity …

  • Staff Spotlight: Pamela Swan, Grants Coordinator

    December 20, 2022

    In this month’s Staff Spotlight, we’re excited to welcome Pamela Swan as our Grants Coordinator – a new role that oversees our Matching Grant Program and coordinates our grant-seeking efforts. Pamela holds a Bachelor’s in Conservation and Resource Studies from …

  • A bounty for all at this Petaluma community farm

    November 17, 2022

    Petaluma Bounty, a community farm and program of Petaluma People Services Center, works to create a thriving local food system with healthy food for everyone through collaboration, education, and promoting self-reliance. As the COVID-19 pandemic began, we recognized there was …

  • Staff Spotlight: Julie Mefferd, Administrative and Fiscal Services Manager

    November 17, 2022

    In our November Staff Spotlight, we get to hear from Julie Mefferd, our Administrative and Fiscal Services Manager. Julie has worked in public service for more than 20 years, and prior to joining Ag + Open Space in 2019 she …

  • Wildfire preparation at Calabazas Creek

    October 27, 2022

    Southeast of Santa Rosa, the upcoming Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve is 1,290 acres of forests, grasslands, and creeks nestled in the Mayacamas Mountains. Although we transferred this property to Regional Parks in 2021, we’re in a …

  • Staff Spotlight: Marina Montes, Stewardship Specialist

    October 27, 2022

    In this month’s Staff Spotlight, we caught up with Marina Montes, who was recently promoted from Stewardship Technician to Stewardship Specialist! Marina grew up in the East Bay and spent many weekends and holidays exploring the natural world through camping, …

  • Remote monitoring: A new way to “visit” conserved lands

    September 28, 2022

    Conservation easements run with the land forever. As the easement holder, Ag + Open Space works with landowners to ensure the conservation values defined by the easement – agriculture, habitats, watersheds, and more – remain healthy and thriving. To support …