Brainy and brawny Go-to Gang gets into gear

The “Go-to Gang,” SLT’s on-call stewardship and fix-it team, met this week to talk about this year’s projects. Founded in 2000 by Jim McConnell and a small crew of dedicated volunteers, the Go-to Gang responds to stewardship needs on the Land Trust’s preserves. With skills, tools, brains and brawn, the crew has helped to address countless construction, demolition and infrastructure maintenance needs on SLT’s properties. This year, a crew of 15 or so “gang” members will be painting the porch and upgrading utility lines at Glen Oaks Ranch, assisting with a barn demolition project at Sears Point Ranch, clearing downed trees at Secret Pasture, building a tool shed at Little Black Mountain and repairing gates at Pitkin Marsh. By providing their expertise and labor, these volunteers save SLT substantial money and time. A big thanks to this year’s crew! For more information or to get involved, please call (707) 544-5614 ext. 2 or email volunteer@sonomalandtrust.org.

Students clean up Laufenburg Ranch

For the third year in a row, the Student Conservation Association partnered with SLT, this year spending the past weekend working on various projects at Laufenburg Ranch. A hardworking crew of 27 teens cleared brush from trails, removed French broom, cleared downed trees and much more. According to SLT stewardship director Bob Neale, pictured here talking to the kids, they were so focused and industrious that they whipped through all the tasks, leaving time for a good hike afterwards. “It’s always fun working with these students,” said Bob. “They’re a great bunch of kids who never fail to raise my enthusiasm.” Look for more information on this activity in SLT’s upcoming spring newsletter.

Boosting SLT at Wild Steelhead Festival

SLT had a booth at the Wild Steelhead Festival in Healdsburg, staffed by board members Denny Van Ness, Kathy Tierney, and public relations officer Sheri Cardo. In this photo, Denny (right) talks to an attendee about how maintaining and enhancing water quality for fish is a top priority for SLT.

Studying the cultural and historic resources at Little Black Mountain

The story of the Sonoma Land Trust’s Little Black Mountain Preserve contains the makings of a modern day drama. From the Native Californians inhabiting the land to the contemporary era, Little Black Mountain (LBM) gives a glimpse into the passage of time, the changing nature of the area and the varying forces influencing the property. The preserve provides an illustration of the nature of cultural change, ranging from rituals in Native American culture to the scars of intensive logging, from the simple joys of living in a peaceful, natural setting to the loss of a well-known San Francisco family’s home in the catastrophic Creighton Ridge Fire of 1978. Now, an SSU grad student is doing her master’s thesis on the property’s unique resources. Learn more.

Connect with Bay Nature

Bay Nature is offering a new subscriber special! Sign up for one year of Bay Nature magazine for only $17 (25% off!). Just go here and enter promo code SDJDSL at checkout, or call 888-BAYNAT and mention promo code SDJDSL. Visit BayNature.org to learn more Bay Nature magazine.

February 2009

Get out on the land!

Click here for a schedule of upcoming opportunities to get out on SLT properties and have a good time while doing some good work.

Members will be getting their hikes list electronically next week — watch your inbox for a message with your options for our winter hikes. We're saving paper and postage!

It’s Cheese Festival Season!

The Sonoma Land Trust will have booths at the upcoming Winter Artisan Cheese Fair on Sunday, February 22 in Sonoma and the Artisan Cheese Festival on Sunday, March 22 in Petaluma. They’re both going to be fun events celebrating the delicious, handcrafted cheeses of our region. Consider joining us at these tasty events!

Our landscapes and the Sonoma Land Trust — here forever!

The Sonoma Land Trust will be here forever caring for open space and preserving the character and beauty of our landscapes. Protecting lands rich in history, natural resources and breathtaking views requires continual support in the form of pledges, cash, stock donations and planned gifts. There are many ways to ensure that the natural beauty of Sonoma County is protected today and for future generations. Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate today. Please click on the donation button now.
2. Pledge. Make a gift in the form of a pledge paid over a timeline of your choice.
3. Sponsor a Program or Project. Designate a cash gift or pledge to support a specific program, such as the Land Protection Fund or Conservation Easement and Stewardship Fund. Projects may include the Jenner Headlands, Sonoma Mountain Conservation or the Baylands Education Pavilion.
4. Monthly Gift. Set up an automatic monthly donation using your credit card by visiting the donate page on our Web site.
5. Transfer stock. Donate stock or an appreciated asset.
6. Business Supporter. Have your company become an Evergreen Business member.
7. Planned Gift. Become a Legacy League member by making the Sonoma Land Trust a beneficiary in your will. Learn how you can make a much more meaningful gift than you ever imagined.
8. Volunteer and explore the hidden places of Sonoma County!

For information about any of the “Ways to Help,” please contact Beverly Scottland at (707) 526-6930, ext. 108 or email Beverly@sonomalandtrust.org.