News + Features

group of people hiking to the ocean

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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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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