We are pleased to share that Colin Nicol, our Water Resource Project Manager, supported the recently published "Restoring Sediment Pathways: A Resilient Landscape Vision for the Adobe Creek Baylands."
This Vision reflects the collective input, expertise, and collaboration of project partners, community members, Tribal leaders, regulators, and stakeholders who helped shape a shared path forward for the lower Adobe Creek Baylands. The report, published by @sfestuaryinstitute , outlines opportunities to advance ecological restoration, ecosystem resilience, community benefits, and long-term stewardship in the project area. The work was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through Region IX’s Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) grant, as part of the larger Sediment Solutions effort.
We invite you to read the report and share it widely within your networks to help spread the word and support continued dialogue around this multi-benefit restoration effort.
#AdobeCreek #BaylandsRestoration #EcosystemRestoration #WatershedHealth #ClimateResilience #SedimentSolutions #HabitatRestoration #CommunityStewardship #CollaborativeConservation #WaterQuality #NatureBasedSolutions #EnvironmentalPlanning #ResilientLandscapes #SonomaCounty #ConservationInAction
Join Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, Sonoma County Farm Bureau, and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space for our final Ag Heritage Series event at Pacheco Dairy, home toAchadinha Cheese Company. You will learn about the sustainability of dairy operations in Sonoma County and small-batch artisanal cheese making with a complementary cheese tasting to close the day! 🧀 🐄
This is a free event to attend thanks to the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of the Ag + Open Space District through a ¼ cent sales tax!
Reserve your spot using the link in our bio! #SustainableAgriculture #HealthyEcosystems #LocalConservation #CommunityEngagement #WorkingLands #SonomaCounty #AgriculturalHeritage #SupportLocalFarms #FarmToTable #DairyTour #artisanalcheese #CheeseTasting #DairyLife #CheeseLovers #LocalDairy #HeritageFar
April was a busy month out in our community! Our team participated in the annual @TranshumanceFestival and the @sonomacity ’s Earth Day Festival, connecting with community members around local conservation efforts. At the Transhumance Festival, a long-standing RCD tradition staff helped prepare residents for the event and guided the community in herding sheep from the fairgrounds to Steamers Landing. Along the way, we shared how managed grazing supports healthy ecosystems, reduces fuel loads, and helps protect communities while maintaining a low carbon footprint.
Rooted in collaboration and Sonoma’s agricultural heritage, the event highlights how traditional practices like grazing continue to play a vital role in modern land stewardship. We’re already looking forward to next year!
#ManagedGrazing #LandStewardship #SonomaCounty #ConservationInAction #WorkingLands
We hosted our second Ag Heritage Series event at @ballettovineyards in April, highlighting the Balletto family’s deep roots in Sonoma County and their commitment to the land. Their dedication to stewardship led to a conservation easement, in partnership with Ag + Open Space, helping ensure the property continues to support local ecosystems, agriculture, and the community. 🤝🌲
In collaboration with @sonomaopenspace , the @sonomacountyfarmbureau , and @goldridgercd , attendees enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour led by John Balletto. The experience offered insight into vineyard operations, winemaking, and the importance of sustainable practices. The event concluded with a tasting and an opportunity for guests to connect directly with the Balletto team. 🍇
We encourage you to join us for our final Ag Heritage Series event on Saturday, May 30th, from 10 am – 12:30 pm at Pacheco Dairy, home to @Achadinha_Cheese . You will learn about the sustainability of dairy operations in Sonoma County and small-batch artisanal cheese making. This is a free event to attend thanks to the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of the Ag + Open Space District through a ¼ cent sales tax! 🧀 🐄
Sign up using the link in our bio!
#LocalDairy #AgEducation #SustainableFarming #SupportLocalFarms #DairyTour #CheeseTasting #FarmToTable #CheeseLovers #ArtisanCheese #DairyLife #CheeseExperience #SonomaEvents #HeritageFarm #artisanalcheese #AgHeritageSeries #SonomaCounty #BallettoVineyards #SustainableAgriculture #Viticulture #WineCountry #LandStewardship #Conservation #WorkingLands #FarmTour #DairyFarming #ArtisanalCheese #CheeseExperience #SonomaEvents
As a result of a number of factors, including climate change and urban development, we have been seeing a steady rise in technical assistance requests from landowners and managers facing both the immediate and long-term issues of streambank erosion on their properties.
While each situation is unique, many share common questions such as: Where to start? What different solutions are out there? What is the cost associated with each one? What does the permitting process look like? In partnership with @sonoma_water and the @cityofsr , we’re excited to share our new resource, "Streambank Erosion: A Resource Guide for Sonoma County Residents with Streamside Erosion Concerns", designed to help community members navigate these questions with confidence.
You can find it using the link in our bio!
We hope this resource serves as a helpful starting point, and our staff is always here to help as a guide in navigating how to prevent, mitigate, and adapt to erosion.
#StreambankErosion #ErosionControl #WatershedHealth #StreamRestoration #WaterResources #SonomaCounty #SantaRosa #SonomaWater #ClimateAdaptation #LandStewardship #PropertyStewardship #StormwaterManagement #CommunityResources #EnvironmentalEducation #ClimateResilience
Our Agriculture Team recently attended the kickoff of @regenerativeviticulture Foundation’s One Block Challenge. The One Block Challenge invites winegrape growers to dedicate one vineyard block to regenerative practices for a minimum of one year. Throughout the challenge, viticulturists monitor their soil to track the impacts of these regenerative practices.
Anya Nejedlo, Agricultural Program Director, and Keith Abeles, Soil and Water Specialist, attended the event at @donumestate to learn more about the program, identify opportunities for future grant funding collaborations, and to offer their technical assistance as growers are beginning to implement their specific regenerative practices.
We encourage anyone interested in learning more to visit the One Block Challenge website. For any viticulturists interested, there will be a second in-person kickoff held on Wednesday, June 3rd from 10 am – 12 pm at @prestonfarmandwinery . Learn more using the link in our bio!
#OneBlockChallenge #RegenerativeViticulture #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #VineyardManagement #Viticulture #SustainableViticulture #WineGrapeGrowers #ClimateSmartAg #CarbonFarming #SoilMonitoring #WaterStewardship #SonomaCounty #WineCountry #ConservationInAction
As we shared last Wednesday, on our Earth Day, managing invasive species requires sustained effort — and this winter marked an important milestone. Our Water Resources Team wrapped up the first round of invasive broom removal on two Sonoma County properties, treating a total of 15 acres in the Mill Creek watershed and 10 acres along Mark West Creek at Rancho Mark West, a @landpaths property.
Working with local contractors and dedicated landowners, crews spent approximately 40 days removing dense broom stands using hand-pulling and other low-impact methods. Winter is an ideal time for this work because broom has not yet gone to seed. At Rancho Mark West, removed broom was pile-burned; in Mill Creek, it was used as a mulch layer to help suppress regrowth. Additionally, 80 native plants were installed and irrigated at Rancho Mark West to support ecosystem restoration.
Because broom seeds can remain viable in the soil for years, follow-up treatment is essential. Crews will return this spring and summer to target new sprouts, while we continue providing long-term technical support to landowners. Their commitment to stewardship is critical to restoring these sites and preventing further spread throughout the watershed. We are also working with regional partners to develop long-term management strategies — a reminder that restoration is truly a collective effort.
#InvasiveSpecies #BroomRemoval #HabitatRestoration #WatershedHealth #MillCreek #MarkWestCreek #SonomaCounty #LandStewardship #NativePlants #EcosystemRestoration #WildfireResilience #ForestHealth #CommunityConservation #WorkingLands #ConservationInAction
Have you ever heard of a watershed plan? It is a comprehensive, community-based strategy designed to restore, protect, and improve the health and ecological function of a specific watershed.
We completed the Petaluma River Watershed Conservation and Enhancement Plan in partnership with the Petaluma Watershed Collaborative, a group of local stakeholders working to strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable watershed management and restoration. The Plan’s purpose is to identify practical, science-based strategies to protect, conserve, and enhance the watershed for generations to come.
Building on prior updates of the Plan from 2013 and 2015, the 2022 Plan incorporates critical information not included in earlier versions. The Tribal Heritage Preservation Office (THPO) of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria provided review and editorial support of cultural resource information detailed in the Plan. Reza Environmental also provided editorial and technical support during the development process alongside the Collaborative. The updated Plan also integrates data from recent regional efforts, including the March 2018 Petaluma Valley Historical Hydrology and Ecology Study prepared by the San Francisco Estuary Institute in collaboration with Sonoma RCD.
The first Enhancement Plan was completed in 1998 with input from a Landowner Advisory Committee and engaged watershed residents. As intended, this Plan continues to evolve. Watershed plans are living documents that are strengthened over time through science, collaboration, and community stewardship.
Thank you to the many partners whose ongoing work restores, protects, and sustains the Petaluma River Watershed. This update was made possible with funding secured by the RCD from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART grant program.
You can view the full plan using the link in our bio!
#WatershedPlan #PetalumaRiver #WatershedHealth #WaterConservation #EcosystemRestoration #CommunityStewardship #CollaborativeConservation #SonomaCounty #Petaluma #WaterSMART #ScienceBased #LandStewardship #HabitatRestoration #ClimateResilience #LivingDocument
On Saturday, March 14th, we both served on a panel and tabled at Sonoma Environmental Education Collaborative (SEEC)'s Annual Youth Career Expo at the @chopt.shyt . The expo creates awareness and networking opportunities for young adults interested in entering the environmental sciences. It includes professional headshots, resume and mock interview workshops, and a career panel. 📸 🌎
Genevieve Tarino, our Forestry Project Manager, served as a panelist to share her journey to her current role and perspective as a young woman in the industry. She encouraged students to find a career pathway by following their passions and gave advice on how to navigate college. Genevieve also highlighted the importance of healthy forests and how stewarding them intersects with many career opportunities, beyond just those of a forester. 📚
We also tabled throughout the event so students could learn more about our Community Outreach and Youth Education efforts. 🤝
Thank you to all the amazing partners who helped put this event together. A special thanks to Genevieve for being a panelist and encouraging the next generation of conservationists! 🌲
#EnvironmentalEducation #YouthEmpowerment #STEMCareers #GreenCareers #CareerPathways #CareerExploration #WorkforceDevelopment #NextGenLeaders #OutdoorEducation #Forestry #ForestryCareers #WildfireResilience #ConservationCareers #EnvironmentalCareers #CareerExpo #CareerFair #ResumeBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenInSTEM #WomenInForestry #CommunityOutreach #Partnerships #SonomaCounty #NorthBay #SEEC
We are so excited to introduce Steven Fry as our new Watershed Restoration Program Manager. Since starting in mid-March, Steven has been diving into process-based restoration techniques at Mark West Regional Park, landowner assistance for streambank erosion, and improving aquatic connectivity and fish passage.
Steven shared, “I am beyond excited to join this dynamic team and leverage my experience with stream and riparian restoration to make a meaningful impact in this community and protect some of California's most scenic and valuable watersheds."
Visit our website to read his full bio. Welcome to the team, Steven!
#WelcomeToTheTeam #MeetTheTeam #StaffSpotlight #SonomaRCD #SonomaCounty #Conservation #ClimateResilience #SoilHealth #WaterQuality #FireResilience #DroughtResilience #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalJustice #WorkingLands
Happy Earth Day! We wanted to celebrate Earth Day this year by highlighting some of the work our team has been doing to protect and restore our local ecosystems, especially post-wildfire. 🌎
We recently completed the first phase of invasive French and Scotch broomremoval on two properties, including one stewarded by@landpaths , in Sonoma County as part of a broader effort to support post-fire recovery and protect local watershed health. 🤝
Originally introduced to California in the mid-1800s, both species are highly invasive and significantly increase wildfire risk in ecosystems. They contain a high oil content and can act as ladder fuels, carrying fire into forest canopies. Additionally, broom thrives as a “post-fire opportunist,” meaning fire stimulates the germination of its seeds. Following the 2020 Walbridge Fire and Glass Fire, many burn scars saw a surge in broom establishment, allowing these species to outcompete native plants and alter local ecosystems. 🌲🌾
Beginning in 2024, with funding from the @FishandWildlife National Coastal Resilience Fund, we have partnered with local landowners to remove broom and other invasive species in priority watershed areas. Broom seeds are often spread downhill by wind and water—especially along waterways—so by prioritizing removal in upstream sites, we can help prevent their spread into downstream habitats. 💧🌳
This work is not a one-time effort. Managing invasive species requires multiple treatment passes, long-term stewardship, and strong partnerships. By combining removal, native replanting, and continued site management, we are working to restore our county’s biodiversity while reducing wildfire risk. Stay tuned for a closer look at how this work is unfolding on the ground in the Mill Creek and Mark West Creek watersheds.
#EarthDay #EarthDay2026 #RestoreOurEarth #ConservationInAction #EcosystemRestoration #HabitatRestoration #WatershedHealth #WaterConservation #ClimateResilience #WildfireRecovery #PostFireRecovery #InvasiveSpecies #BroomRemoval #Biodiversity #NativePlants #HealthyForests #FireResilience #LandStewardship #WorkingLands #CollaborativeConservation #Partnerships #SonomaCounty #NorthBay
We are excited to be offering an Invasive Species Management Workshop in partnership with Jason Mills, from EcoLogiCal Solutions. The workshop will be focused on identifying and managing invasive species. While we’ll focus on species commonly encroaching in post-fire landscapes, all community members are welcome. 🌱
View the full flier and sign-up link in our bio. Please reach out with questions! Hope to see you there!
We are able to offer this workshop thanks to a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 🤝
#InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesManagement #HabitatRestoration #PostFireRecovery #ForestHealth #LandStewardship #NativePlants #EcosystemRestoration #ConservationEducation #CommunityWorkshop #SonomaCounty #WildfireResilience #HealthyLandscapes #EnvironmentalStewardship #NFWF
