News + Features

group of people hiking to the ocean

A Glimpse into 2024: Highlights of Conservation and Community Impact

Aerial view of the laguna

As we begin 2025, we reflect on a year of meaningful progress in our mission to preserve Sonoma County’s agricultural, natural, recreational, and scenic lands for future generations. This year, we conserved critical lands that enhance biodiversity, protect water resources, and support sustainable agriculture. Our stewardship efforts have deepened through …

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Celebrating 35 Years of Conservation

Cake with frosting that says "AG + Open space Happy 35!"

This year, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space proudly celebrates 35 years of preserving and protecting the lands that make our region so unique. Since our founding, we’ve conserved over 12% of the county, protecting vital natural resources, supporting local agriculture, and creating opportunities for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. …

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Staff spotlight: Rosie Clark (she/her), Secretary

Rosie Clark

Rosie was raised in Sonoma County and attended Sonoma State University obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. Her love of animals has taken her from studying Spinner Dolphins on the Big Island of Hawaii, to studying sloths in the jungles …

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Celebrating the Legacy of Supervisor Susan Gorin: A Champion for Sonoma County’s Open Spaces

Supervisor Susan Gorin

As we bid farewell to District 1 Supervisor Susan Gorin after 12 years of dedicated service, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space reflects on her extraordinary contributions to preserving the natural beauty and community resources of our region. Susan’s tenure has left an indelible mark on the landscapes and open …

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Press Release: Ag + Open Space Announces Seven New Community Open Space Projects

A child in a field reaching his hands in the air

SANTA ROSA, CA (December 10, 2024) – Ag + Open Space is proud to announce seven new projects through our Community Spaces Matching Grant Program. This is the first round of projects approved since a major update of the program, which aimed to simplify the application process, provide technical support to …

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Poised to Pounce on Prop 4

Modini Preserve

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 lands, waterways, and parks. And we are poised to leverage …

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Staff spotlight: Victor Schwalm (he/him), Stewardship Technician

Victor Schwalm

Victor most recently worked at Marin Water in partnership with Grizzlycorps, a UC Berkeley Americorps program. While there, he worked with the watershed department to coordinate volunteer programs including rare species monitoring, habitat restoration days and trail crew events. Before that, Victor served a previous Grizzlycorps term with Shasta Land …

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Staff spotlight: Wald Zimmerman (they/he), Stewardship Technician

Wald Zimmerman on a hiking trail

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Wald has a BA from San Francisco State University in Geography with a focus on Natural Resources Management and a minor in Biology.  Since his graduation, Wald has explored his many interests professionally and personally, having worked as a field biologist, Waldorf teacher, landscape …

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Press Release: Increasing access to agriculture at forefront of Ag + Open Space’s new Farmland for All toolkit

dirt and earthworms on a rake

SANTA ROSA, CA (October 21, 2024) – Sonoma County Ag + Open Space is proud to announce the creation of a Buy-Protect-Sell pilot program, which aims to address barriers for farmers and ranchers looking to own their own land. Via a simple initial application process, Ag + Open Space will …

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Staff spotlight: Samantha Delucchi (she/her), Administrative Aide

Meet the newest addition to our grants team, Samantha! She grew up in Sonoma County and attended the University of Portland where she earned degrees in Political Science and Spanish, with an emphasis in environmental studies. After spending a year teaching in Spain, she transitioned back to the Bay Area …

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