News + Features

group of people hiking to the ocean

Another Regional Park and Preserve Coming to Sonoma Coast

coastal view from Poff Ranch

Ag + Open Space Transfers 1,236-acre Wright Hill Ranch to Regional Parks SANTA ROSA, CA (August 23, 2021) – This month the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) transferred ownership of a 1,236-acre coastal property to Sonoma County Regional Parks. This land, owned and …

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OFFICE CLOSED Monday July 26

The Ag + Open Space offices will be closed on Monday, July 26 due to a street closure that will block access to our parking lot and building. Our staff are working today and are available by phone or email. Our offices will reopen on Tuesday, July 27. We apologize …

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New Regional Park and Preserve Coming to Sonoma Valley

Ag + Open Space Transfers 1,290-acre Calabazas Creek Open Space Preserve to Regional Parks SANTA ROSA, CA (July 19, 2021) – This month the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space), a special district dedicated to protecting our working and natural lands forever, transferred ownership …

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Adapting youth environmental education to the virtual world

Just a couple weeks after Sonoma County began to Shelter-in-Place, Ag + Open Space signed contracts with six outstanding local public outings and youth education providers – Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, LandPaths, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Land Trust, and the Sonoma and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts. Without hesitation, …

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Saddle Mountain welcomes exciting wildflower bloom after wildfire

field of small white flowers

Our Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve is home to an incredible variety of plants and wildlife, including the critically endangered Clara Hunt’s milkvetch – an itty-bitty purple and white flower. Those found on Saddle Mountain are one of only six small populations in the world, and all are found nearby …

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700-acre organic Two Rock dairy protected forever

brown cow

Ag + Open Space and Mattos family conserve organic Petaluma dairy property SANTA ROSA, CA (April 15, 2021) – Yesterday the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) acquired a conservation easement over the Mattos property – a 700-acre property located in the county’s Second …

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Stewarding our lands and expanding urban open space

At the heart of all we do are our protected lands, or properties we’ve protected with conservation easements. From public parks to private properties in every corner of the county, our easements ensure that our natural resources will continue to thrive so they can continue to enrich our communities and …

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Post-fire renewal on Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve

An update from Monica Delmartini, Ag + Open Space Stewardship Specialist With spring officially just around the corner, we’re seeing some beautiful signs of post-fire renewal at our Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve, which burned in the Glass Fire last September. The fire’s effects across the Preserve were patchy, with …

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Ag + Open Space Board Approves $5.8 Million for Community-Led Open Space Projects Countywide

Funding will go towards new and enhanced parks, trail connections, and increased accessibility SANTA ROSA, CA (March 23, 2021) – Today, the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) recommended funding for new recreational projects within or near urban areas …

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On-the-ground updates from our Stewardship team

We thought it was well overdue to check in with our Stewardship staff, who work each day to care for our protected lands. From wildfire recovery to grazing, our Stewardship team has stayed busy the last several months. Wildfire recovery and adaptation For landowners who have experienced wildfires on their …

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