News + Features

group of people hiking to the ocean

Staff spotlight: Eric Ross (he/him), GIS Analyst

Eric Ross with his infant daughter

Eric is coming to us from working in Sacramento as a Data Manager, primarily focused on a contract with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In this capacity Eric developed tools for collecting data in the field, automated field data analysis and reporting, and supported conservation decision-making across 50 national …

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Press release: Major step forward as Ag + Open Space and Russian River County Sanitation District Board of Directors approve purchase and conservation of Russian River Redwoods 

View of the Russian River

SANTA ROSA, CA (August 22, 2024) – On Tuesday, the Ag + Open Space and Russian River County Sanitation District Board of Directors approved $6,180,000 to purchase and transfer ownership of the 394-acre Russian River Redwoods property from Save the Redwoods League (League) to the Russian River County Sanitation District, …

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Press release: Camp Meeker Forest Open Space Preserve – New park coming soon to West County

Landscape view of redwood trees, with sunlight filtering through. At Sonoma Space Open Space Preserve.

SANTA ROSA, CA (August 21, 2024) – Yesterday, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space’s Board of Directors approved funding for the purchase and conservation of Camp Meeker Forest Open Space Preserve. Located in and around Camp Meeker, this a 384-acre property will be owned and managed by Camp Meeker Recreation …

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Staff spotlight: Alex Young, Conservation GIS Coordinator

Alex with two dogs on a coastal walk

Alex grew up in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts and moved around the west before settling in Sonoma County nearly 20 years ago. Attending nature camps as a kid and spending much of his time outdoors hiking, biking, skiing, and exploring, he has always had a deep appreciation of …

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Be wildfire aware and ready

View of Montini

As we’ve already seen this year, fire season is in full swing. Fire safety and preparedness is a year-round endeavor, but this time of year it’s especially important for all of us to be aware of how to keep ourselves and our communities safe. Across farms and ranches, parks and …

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Fantastic day OUT at Sonoma County Pride

A group of several people posing together and smiling at the camera at Sonoma County Pride. They are wearing costumes and holding signs that say "Out in the Wild"

This is our second year of having the honor of sponsoring Sonoma County’s Pride Parade and Festival. We were thrilled to show our solidarity and contribute to this joyful celebration of our queer community.  The Pride theme this year is Queeroes: Celebrating our Past, Present & Future Sheroes, Heroes, and …

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Staff spotlight: Monica Delmartini, Stewardship Specialist

Monica sitting outside with mountains in the background

Monica grew up on California’s Central Coast and spent years living and working in the southern Sierra Nevada before moving to the North Bay Area more than a decade ago. Before joining Ag + Open Space, she worked for the National Park Service at Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park and Point …

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Digging deep into soil health best practices

A group of people sitting in a circle, some on the ground and some in chairs. They are talking to one another and listening.

How often do you think about soil? At Ag + Open Space, it’s part of our work to support our easement landowners in caring for their land, so our Stewardship team is always looking for ways to learn more that they can then share. While we already know healthy soils …

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Staff spotlight: Mary Thayer, Executive Secretary

Mary Thayer

Mary is  a California native who graduated from Madison High School in San Diego and attended college in San Bernardino and Sacramento before graduating with an AA degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. Mary now lives in Rohnert Park, and has four children, three of which live in Sonoma County. …

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Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Water purchase Mark West Wikiup Preserve for conservation

Mark West Wikiup landscape photo

SANTA ROSA, CA – Today, Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Water are announcing the purchase of the 30-acre Mark West Wikiup Preserve in the Larkfield-Wikiup area of Santa Rosa. Home to half-a-mile of Mark West Creek, oaks, riparian habitat, and grassy open space in a residential neighborhood, conservation of …

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