Protected Lands

Archives for “News Articles”

Our Impact

  • Staff Spotlight: Allison Schichtel, Senior Conservation Planner

    April 28, 2022

    We’re back with another Staff Spotlight! This month we get to hear from Allison Schichtel, Senior Conservation Planner, who has a BS in Botany and Environmental Biology from Humboldt State University and a Master’s of Science degree in Geographic Information …

  • Local agroecology and a winter CSA

    April 28, 2022

    Through our Agricultural Support and Protection (ASAP) Emergency Matching Grant program, we’ve been supporting Red H Farm over the last year and a half as they adapted to the pandemic. Red H Farm, which was founded by Caiti Hachmyer in …

  • Staff Spotlight: Sheri Emerson, Stewardship Manager

    March 29, 2022

    This month, we’re checking in with Sheri Emerson, our Stewardship Manager, who oversees the stewardship of over 122,000 acres of land protected by Ag + Open Space. Sheri earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Sonoma State University, and her …

  • A radical farm and the power of local agriculture

    March 29, 2022

    Radical Family Farms centers LGBTQIA+ mixed-Asian American heritage and culinary culture through the vegetables, herbs, meals and events produced on their farm. This 3-acre farm was founded in 2018 by Leslie Wiser and Sarah Deragon.It’s located in Sebastopol and, as …

  • Staff Spotlight: Kim Batchelder, Vegetation Management Coordinator

    February 24, 2022

    This month, we’re checking in with Kim Batchelder, the County’s Vegetation Management Coordinator. Kim has been with Ag + Open Space for over a decade, and recently moved into this role focused on the planning, development and implementation of funding …

  • Cordage-making and stewardship at Dogbane Preserve

    February 24, 2022

    For centuries, Indigenous peoples have harvested the Dogbane plant for use in making cordage, nets, bags, and belts. With many years of community care, the Dogbane plant has thrived on the special three-acre, culturally-significant Dogbane Preserve in what is now …

  • A year in review: Highlights from 2021

    January 25, 2022

    We are grateful to be able to do the work of protecting our county’s natural and working lands. As we move into a new year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the work we’ve done with you, …

  • Staff Spotlight: Sara Ortiz, Administrative Aide

    January 25, 2022

    This month, we’re hearing from Sara Ortiz, one of our fantastic Administrative Aides, who works to make sure our agency runs smoothly. Our staff spotlights are a chance to learn more about the people who work to protect our natural …

  • Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Waite, GIS Analyst

    December 16, 2021

    Staff Spotlight: Say hello to Stephanie Waite This month we’d like to introduce you to our newest team member, Stephanie Waite, GIS Analyst. Read on to learn more about Stephanie, and join us in welcoming her to Ag + Open …

  • Staff Spotlight: Kelsey Setliff, Stewardship Technician

    November 22, 2021

    Staff Spotlight: Kelsey Setliff, Stewardship Technician At Ag + Open Space, we have an incredible team of talented and driven individuals working together to carry out the community’s vision of a beautiful, thriving, and resilient Sonoma County. We’re proud of …