News + Features

  • Staff Spotlight: Kim Batchelder, Vegetation Management Coordinator

    February 24, 2022

    Posted in: News Articles

    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

    Posted in: News Articles

    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

    Posted in: News Articles

    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

    Posted in: News Articles

    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

    Posted in: News Articles

    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 …

  • County to protect Paulin Meadow in Santa Rosa as open space

    November 22, 2021

    Posted in: Press Releases

    Board of Supervisors to protect Paulin Meadow in Santa Rosa as open space Santa Rosa, CA – October 29, 2021 – The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is expected next week to approve the transfer of Parcel J (Paulin Meadow), …

  • Staff Spotlight: Kelsey Setliff, Stewardship Technician

    November 22, 2021

    Posted in: News Articles

    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 …

  • SRJC students join for workday at Haroutunian South

    November 22, 2021

    Posted in: News Articles

    SRJC students join for workday at Haroutunian South Earlier this month, Taylor Acosta, one of our Stewardship Technicians, welcomed a biology class from Santa Rosa Junior College to Haroutunian South for a workday caring for and learning from the land. …

  • Forest health and resiliency work at Saddle Mountain

    October 28, 2021

    Posted in: News Articles

    This fall, Ag + Open Space will begin implementation of a 60-acre understory thinning project and two shaded fuel breaks at Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve. The Preserve was impacted at varying levels of severity by the 2020 Glass Fire, …

  • Conservation work in progress

    October 28, 2021

    Posted in: News Articles

    As you know, our mission is to permanently protect the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. The act of “protecting” a piece of land is multi-faceted: it starts with careful planning, …