Blog - Sonoma Land Trust

Prescribed burn scheduled at Sonoma Land Trust’s Glen Oaks, Thursday, November 10, 2022

Press Release

November 8, 2022– Glen Ellen, CA – Sonoma Land Trust and All Hands Ecology announced plans to conduct a 32-acre prescribed burn at the Glen Oaks Ranch near Glen Ellen California, on Thursday, November 10. The burn will be led by All Hands Ecology’s Fire Forward program in partnership with Sonoma Land Trust to restore forest health and resilience to future wildfire. Residents may see or smell smoke from the burn area east of Highway 12 in Glen Ellen and are advised to refrain from calling 911.

*This controlled burn is subject to change depending on conditions.

Glen Oaks Ranch is located on Highway 12, near Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen. The anticipated time for the prescribed burn is 11:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. The burn will be conducted by prescribed fire managers from All Hands Ecology’s Fire Forward program, with support from Sonoma Land Trust staff, the Good Fire Alliance, the Sonoma Valley Wildfire Collaborative , CAL FIRE, and Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority. Crews will continue to monitor the site throughout the evening and following days to ensure that the fire has been fully extinguished. Weather conditions and safety protocols are critical to this effort and if for any reason the burn can’t be conducted safely, the project will be postponed.

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**Smoke and Traffic Advisory**

The prescribed burn will commence as early as 9:00 a.m. and conclude around 5:00 p.m. Smoke and flames will be visible east of Highway 12 near Glen Ellen throughout the day. This is a permitted prescribed burn; do not call 911.

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Restoring forest health and wildfire resilience in oak woodlands

Sonoma Land Trust’s 234-acre Glen Oaks Ranch Preserve is located on the ancestral lands of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo people. For thousands of years, Indigenous fire management practices included the use of low-intensity fire every few years in oak woodlands to improve the productivity of the land for food, fiber, and medicines, as well as insurance against wildfire. The preserve is critical habitat for hundreds of native plant and animal species and is an important link in the Sonoma Valley Wildlife Corridor – a network of protected lands that allows wildlife to move between the Mayacamas and Sonoma Mountain.

A total of 32 acres are scheduled for prescribed burning as a part of this project. The area consists of oak woodland with an understory of grass and sparse shrubs. The area was impacted by high-intensity wildfire in 2017 – the first fire in 60 years, which damaged or killed many mature trees.

Oak woodlands are healthiest when they experience frequent, low-intensity fires that clear away competing brush, conifers, and grass thatch. Without this periodic “good fire,” oak forests are at higher risk of harm from wildfire. In the absence of fire, fuels accumulate and get denser over time, which can lead to high-intensity wildfire.

Low-intensity prescribed burns also make oak forests healthier and more resilient to climate change – good fire creates space for new generations of plants, increases nutrient and water availability, and stabilizes carbon on the ground. Finally, prescribed burning can improve community safety if conducted near communities or strategic locations, in tandem with defensible space and preparedness.

Learn more:

Sonoma Land Trust’s Glen Oaks Ranch preserve: https://sonomalandtrust.org/our-preserve-system/anchor-preserves/glen-oaks-ranch/
All Hands Ecology’s Fire Forward program: https://www.allhandsecology.org/fire-forward/
Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative: https://www.svwildlandscollaborative.com/

Se ha programado una quema controlada en el Rancho Glen Oaks del Sonoma Land Trust, cerca de Glen Ellen, para el jueves 10 de noviembre de 2022 a fin de restaurar la salud y la resistencia del bosque*.

Sonoma Land TrustGina Fabiano, Directora de marketing y relaciones con los medios de comunicación 707-596-3761 móvil de trabajo gina@sonomalandtrust.org

All Hands Ecology
Wendy Coy, Directora de comunicaciones
415-868-9244 ext. 123 / 707-829-9582 móvil
wcoy@allhandsecology.org

8 de noviembre de 2022- Glen Ellen, CA – Sonoma Land Trust y All Hands Ecology anunciaron sus planes de llevar a cabo una quema controlada de 32 acres en el Rancho Glen Oaks cerca de Glen Ellen, California, el jueves 10 de noviembre. La quema será dirigida por el programa Fire Forward de All Hands Ecology en asociación con Sonoma Land Trust para restaurar la salud del bosque y la resistencia a futuros incendios forestales. Es posible que residentes vean o huelan el humo de la zona de la quema al este de la Carretera 12 en Glen Ellen y se les aconseja no llamar al 911.

*Esta quema controlada está sujeta a cambios según las condiciones.

El Rancho Glen Oaks está ubicado en la Carretera 12, cerca de Arnold Drive en Glen Ellen. El tiempo previsto para la quema controlada es desde las 11:00 a.m. hasta las 5:00 p.m. La quema se llevará a cabo por los gestores de incendios controlados del programa Fire Forward de All Hands Ecology, con el apoyo del personal de Sonoma Land Trust, Good Fire Alliance, Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative, CAL FIRE, y Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority. Las cuadrillas continuarán monitoreando el lugar durante la noche y los días siguientes para asegurarse de que el fuego haya sido extinguido por completo. Las condiciones de clima y los protocolos de seguridad son fundamentales para este esfuerzo, y el proyecto se pospondrá si por alguna razón la quema no puede llevarse a cabo de forma segura.

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**Aviso de humo y tránsito**

La quema controlada comenzará a las 9:00 a.m. y concluirá alrededor de las 5:00 p.m. El humo y las llamas podrán verse al este de la Carretera 12 cerca de Glen Ellen durante todo el día. Esta es una quema controlada permitida; no llame al 911.

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Restauración de la salud del bosque y de la resistencia a los incendios forestales en los robledales

La Reserva del Rancho Glen Oaks, de 234 acres, perteneciente a Sonoma Land Trust, está ubicada en las tierras ancestrales de los pueblos Miwok de la costa y Pomo del sur. Durante miles de años, las prácticas indígenas de gestión del fuego incluyeron el uso de incendios de baja intensidad cada pocos años en los bosques de robles para mejorar la productividad de la tierra. Esto generó un mejor cultivo de alimentos, más fibras y medicinas, así como un seguro contra los incendios forestales. La reserva es un hábitat fundamental para cientos de especies de plantas y animales autóctonos y es un eslabón importante del Corredor de Vida Silvestre del Valle de Sonoma, una red de tierras protegidas que permite a la fauna moverse entre las Mayacamas y la Montaña de Sonoma.

En el marco de este proyecto, se ha programado la quema controlada de un total de 32 acres en dos zonas. Las zonas constan de un bosque de robles con un sotobosque de hierba y arbustos dispersos. La zona se vio afectada por un incendio forestal de alta intensidad en 2017, el primero en 60 años, que dañó o mató a muchos árboles maduros.

Los bosques de robles son más saludables cuando experimentan incendios frecuentes y de baja intensidad que eliminan la maleza, las coníferas y la paja de la hierba. Sin este “buen fuego” periódico, los bosques de robles corren un mayor riesgo de sufrir daños por los incendios forestales. Sin el fuego, los combustibles se acumulan y se hacen más densos con el tiempo, lo que puede dar lugar a incendios forestales de alta intensidad.

Las quemas controladas de baja intensidad también hacen que los bosques de robles sean más sanos y resistentes al cambio climático: un buen fuego crea espacio para nuevas generaciones de plantas, aumenta la disponibilidad de nutrientes y agua, y estabiliza el carbono en el suelo. Por último, las quemas controladas pueden mejorar la seguridad de la comunidad si se realizan cerca de las comunidades o en lugares estratégicos, junto con el espacio defendible y una buena preparación.

Aprende más:

Reserva del Rancho Glen Oaks del Sonoma Land Trust: https://sonomalandtrust.org/our-preserve-system/anchor-preserves/glen-oaks-ranch/
Programa “Fire Forward” de All Hands Ecology https://www.allhandsecology.org/fire-forward/

Prescribed Fire scheduled for 10/23 & 10/24

October 21, 2025 – Sonoma County, CA – Sonoma Land Trust and CAL FIRE announced plans to conduct 2 prescribed burns at Sonoma Land Trust Preserves near Calistoga and Glen Ellen, on October 23 and 24, 2025.

The burns may begin as early as 9:00am and will be managed by the CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit in partnership with Sonoma Land Trust. This collaborative initiative is part of a wider community effort to increase fire resiliency throughout the region.

Projects include up to 4 acres at Glen Oaks Ranch Preserve in Glen Ellen on Thursday, October 23, and up to 19 acres at Laufenburg Ranch Preserve on Friday, October 24, 205.

These preserves were affected by past wildfires including the Tubbs and Nuns Fires. Sonoma Land Trust has conducted subsequent understory thinning and pile burning to reduce dead material and improve the health of the surviving trees. The introduction of low-intensity prescribed fire when conditions are right is the next step to support forest health and reduce the intensity of future wildfires.

The Glen Oaks Ranch Preserve burn will be conducted by prescribed fire managers from CAL FIRE, with support from Sonoma Land Trust staff, North Sonoma Air Pollution Control District, and Bay Area Air District

The Laufenburg Ranch Preserve burn will be conducted by prescribed fire managers from Sonoma Land Trust with support from CAL FIRE, All Hands Ecology’s Fire Forward Program, Pepperwood Preserve, and the North Sonoma Air Pollution Control District.

Safety is the top priority when burning, and fire managers will make the decision to burn once they have checked weather conditions and evaluated all safety protocols.

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**Smoke and Traffic Advisory**

The Glen Oaks Ranch Preserve prescribed burn will take place east of Glen Ellen near the intersection of Arnold Drive and Highway 12. Smoke may be visible from Glen Ellen, Kenwood, and along Highway 12. The prescribed burn will start as early as 9:00am and conclude around 5:00pm. The unit may continue to produce a lesser amount of smoke in the days following burning operations. The burn unit will be monitored by fire personnel.

The Laufenburg Ranch Preserve prescribed burn will take place on ridges near the Sonoma/Napa County line in Knights Valley. Smoke may be visible from Calistoga as well as Highway 128. The prescribed burn may start as early as 9:00am and conclude around 5:00pm. The unit may continue to produce a lesser amount of smoke in the days following burning operations. The burn unit will be monitored by fire personnel.

Follow the burns on the Watch Duty App:
– Glen Oaks Ranch Preserve: https://app.watchduty.org/i/66133
– Laufenburg Ranch Preserve: app.watchduty.org/i/66134

If you see smoke from these burns, please refrain from calling 911.

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Information is available on roadway signage, via social media channels @SonomaLandTrust and @CALFIRELNU, and on the WatchDuty App

Learn more:

The Sonoma Land Trust Living with Fire Strategy: https://sonomalandtrust.org/living-with-fire/

Sonoma Land Trust’s Preserve System: https://sonomalandtrust.org/our-preserve-system/anchor-preserves/

CAL FIRE: www.readyforwildfire.org/

ABOUT SONOMA LAND TRUST: Sonoma Land Trust works in alliance with nature to conserve and restore the integrity of the land with a focus on climate resiliency and is also committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors.Since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust has protected more than 61,000 acres of scenic, natural, and open land for future generations. Sonoma Land Trust is the recipient of the 2019 Land Trust Alliance Award of Excellence and is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. For more information, please visit www.sonomalandtrust.org

ABOUT CAL FIRE SONOMA-LAKE-NAPA UNIT

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) serves and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources of California. The CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, or LNU for short, is one of 21 CAL FIRE administrative units, and one of the largest. Spanning north of the San Francisco Bay Area from the Pacific Ocean to the Interstate-5 corridor, the counties of Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo come together to form a CAL FIRE Unit. LNU has primary responsibility for 2,063,280 acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA) – the most of any CAL FIRE Unit – and a vast range of vegetation types, populations, and political climates. We staff 21 fire stations, 31 state engines, six bulldozers, operate two conservation camps, have one fuel reduction crew, a firefighter hand crew, one helitack base, one air attack base, and many other support staff positions.

Prescribed Fire Scheduled for 10/21/25 at Pole Mountain

Prescribed burn planned at Sonoma Land Trust’s Pole Mountain and Little Black Mountain Preserves, October 21 to support forest health and fuels management strategy

(Spanish translation below)

October 17, 2025 – Cazadero, CA – Sonoma Land Trust and CAL FIRE announced plans to conduct a 60-acre prescribed burn at Pole Mountain and Little Black Mountain Preserves near Cazadero, California, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The effort is a part of a larger fuels management and forest health strategy for the area. Ignitions may begin as early as 8:00am

and will be managed by the CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit in partnership with Sonoma Land Trust. This collaborative initiative is part of a wider community effort to increase fire resiliency throughout the region.

Pole Mountain and Little Black Mountain have a long history of fire and fuels management. In the decades following the stand-replacing 1978 Creighton Ridge wildfire, forest conditions have become overly dense, due to both natural regrowth and a high density of seedlings planted after the fire. Thinning of ladder fuels along ridgelines and roads has made it possible to reintroduce fire in this landscape. By re-introducing fire under carefully prescribed conditions where fire intensity is lower, we hope to steer the forest towards a healthier, more resilient condition, making it better able to withstand future wildfires, droughts, and climate change.

The prescribed burn will be conducted under the CalVTP Program, which seeks to expedite the vegetation treatments to reduce wildfire risk while conserving natural resources. Goals for the burn include improving the rangeland and wildlife habitat while reducing the likelihood of severe impacts from future wildfire.

The burn will be conducted by prescribed fire managers from CAL FIRE, with support from Sonoma Land Trust staff, local fire districts, and the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District. Safety is a top priority when burning, and CAL FIRE will make the decision to burn once they have evaluated day-of weather conditions and safety protocols.

Information is available on roadway signage, via social media channels @SonomaLandTrust and @CALFIRELNU, and on the Watch Duty app.

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**Smoke and Traffic Advisory**

The prescribed burn will take place near the summit of Pole Mountain, the tallest peak along the Sonoma Coast, located between Jenner and Cazadero. The prescribed burn will commence at approximately 8:00am and conclude around 5:00pm and smoke from the burn may be widely visible. Units will continue to produce a lesser amount of smoke in the days following burning operations, and all burn sites will be monitored by fire personnel. If you see smoke from this burn, please refrain from calling 911.

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Restoring ecosystem health and resilience

Sonoma Land Trust is dedicated to restoring natural habitats and building climate resilience using nature-based solutions. These burns will improve the health of mixed hardwood and conifer forest by reducing tree density and surface fuels. Burning strategic locations will serve as anchors for implementing the multi-stage land management plan that provides landscape-scale ecosystem health and resilience to wildfire and climate change.

History of Little Black Mountain: Following the 1978 fire, the Thieriot family, who lost their home in the blaze, began donating portions of their land to Sonoma Land Trust. The Thieriot family’s donation of their beloved homestead was one of the organization’s first major land transactions and resulted in Little Black Mountain becoming one of Sonoma Land Trust’s first nature preserves.

History of Pole Mountain: As the highest point on the Sonoma Coast and a key linkage between Little Black Mountain and the Jenner Headlands Preserve, in 2014, Sonoma Land Trust purchased Pole Mountain preserve from the Elliott Family. The recently reconstructed Pole Mountain Fire Lookout sits on the top of the summit, helping with the early detection of wildfires in the surrounding region.

Learn more:

The Sonoma Land Trust Living with Fire Strategy: https://sonomalandtrust.org/living-with-fire/ Sonoma Land Trust’s Pole Mountain preserve: https://sonomalandtrust.org/our-preserve-system/anchor-preserves/pole-mountain/

Sonoma Land Trust’s Little Black Mountain preserve: https://sonomalandtrust.org/our-preserve-system/anchor-preserves/little-black-mountain/

CAL FIRE www.readyforwildfire.org/

ABOUT SONOMA LAND TRUST: Sonoma Land Trust works in alliance with nature to conserve and restore the integrity of the land with a focus on climate resiliency and is also committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors. Since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust has protected more than 61,000 acres of natural, agricultural, and open land for future generations. Sonoma Land Trust is the recipient of the 2019 Land Trust Alliance Award of Excellence and is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. For more information, please visit www.sonomalandtrust.org

ABOUT CAL FIRE SONOMA-LAKE-NAPA UNIT

Photo of Pole Mountain prescribed burn in July 2023, courtesy of Sonoma Land Trust (photo credit: Sashwa Burrous, Coldwater Collective).

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Quema prescrita prevista para el 21 de octubre en las reservas Pole Mountain y Little Black Mountain de Sonoma Land Trust para apoyar la salud de los bosques y la estrategia de gestión de los combustibles

17 de octubre de 2025 – Cazadero, CA – Sonoma Land Trust y CAL FIRE anunciaron planes para realizar una quema prescrita de 60 acres en las reservas Pole Mountain y Little Black Mountain cerca de Cazadero, California, el miércoles 21 de octubre de 2025. Esta iniciativa forma parte de una estrategia más amplia de gestión de combustibles y salud forestal para la zona. Las igniciones pueden comenzar tan pronto como a las 8:00 a.m. y serán gestionadas por la Unidad Sonoma-Lake-Napa de CAL FIRE en colaboración con el fideicomiso de tierras Sonoma Land Trust. Esta iniciativa de colaboración forma parte de un esfuerzo comunitario más amplio para aumentar la resiliencia ante los incendios en toda la región.

Pole Mountain y Little Black Mountain cuentan con una historia amplia de gestión del fuego y los combustibles. En las décadas posteriores al incendio forestal de Creighton Ridge de 1978, que destruyó el rodal, el bosque se volvió excesivamente denso, debido tanto al rebrote natural como a la alta densidad de las plántulas que se sembraron después del incendio. El aclareo de los combustibles de escalera a lo largo de las crestas y las carreteras hizo posible la reintroducción del fuego en este paisaje. Al reintroducir el fuego en condiciones prescritas cuidadosamente, en las que la intensidad del fuego sea menor, esperamos dirigir el bosque hacia una condición más sana y resistente, haciendo que sea más capaz de soportar futuros incendios forestales, sequías y otras consecuencias del cambio climático.

La quema prescrita se llevará a cabo en el marco del Programa CalVTP, que procura agilizar el tratamiento de la vegetación para reducir el riesgo de incendios forestales mientras se conservan los recursos naturales. Los objetivos de la quema incluyen la mejora de los pastizales y el hábitat de la fauna silvestre, mientras se reduce la probabilidad de graves impactos a causa de futuros incendios forestales.

La quema será realizada por los gestores de incendios prescritos de CAL FIRE, con el apoyo del personal de Sonoma Land Trust, los distritos de bomberos locales, y el Distrito de Control de la Contaminación del Aire del Norte del Condado de Sonoma.

La seguridad es una prioridad clave durante cada quema. CAL FIRE tomará la decisión de quemar una vez que haya evaluado las condiciones meteorológicas del día y los protocolos de seguridad.

La información está disponible en la señalización de las carreteras, mediante los canales de redes sociales @SonomaLandTrust y @CALFIRELNU y en la aplicación Watch Duty.

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**Aviso de tránsito y humo**

La quema prescrita tendrá lugar cerca de la cumbre de Pole Mountain, el pico más alto de la costa de Sonoma, situado entre Jenner y Cazadero. La quema prescrita comenzará aproximadamente a las 8:00 a.m. y concluirá alrededor de las 5:00 p.m. El humo de la quema puede ser ampliamente visible. Las unidades seguirán produciendo una menor cantidad de humo en los días siguientes a las operaciones de quema, y todos los sitios de quema serán vigilados por el personal de bomberos.

Si usted ve humo de esta quema, no es necesario que llame al 911.

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Restaurar la salud y la resiliencia de los ecosistemas

Sonoma Land Trust se dedica a restaurar los hábitats naturales y crear resiliencia climática mediante soluciones basadas en la naturaleza. Estas quemas mejorarán la salud de los bosques mixtos de maderas de frondosas y coníferas al reducir la densidad arbórea y los combustibles superficiales. La quema de ubicaciones estratégicas servirá de anclaje para la aplicación del plan de gestión del territorio en varias fases que proporciona salud y resiliencia al ecosistema general frente a los incendios forestales y al cambio climático.

La historia de Little Black Mountain: Después del incendio de 1978, la familia Thieriot, que perdió su casa en las llamas, empezó a donar partes de sus tierras al fideicomiso de tierras Sonoma Land Trust. La donación por parte de la familia Thieriot de su querida finca fue una de las primeras transacciones de tierras importantes de la organización y dio lugar a que Little Black Mountain se convirtiera en una de las primeras reservas naturales de Sonoma Land Trust.

La historia de Pole Mountain: Pole Mountain es el punto más alto de la costa de Sonoma y una conexión clave entre Little Black Mountain y la reserva de Jenner Headlands. En 2014, Sonoma Land Trust le compró la reserva de Pole Mountain a la familia Elliott. En lo alto de la cima se encuentra el recientemente reconstruido Mirador de Incendios de Pole Mountain, un sitio que ayuda a detectar de forma temprana los incendios forestales en la región circundante.

Para obtener más información:

Estrategia “Viviendo con Incendios” (Living with Fire) de Sonoma Land Trust: https://sonomalandtrust.org/living-with-fire/

La reserva Pole Mountain de Sonoma Land Trust: https://sonomalandtrust.org/our-preserve-system/anchor-preserves/pole-mountain/

La reserva Little Black Mountain de Sonoma Land Trust: https://sonomalandtrust.org/our-preserve-system/anchor-preserves/little-black-mountain/

CALFIRE: www.readyforwildfire.org/

ACERCA DE SONOMA LAND TRUST: Sonoma Land Trust trabaja en conjunto con la naturaleza para preservar y restablecer la integridad de la tierra, con un enfoque en la resiliencia climática. También tiene el compromiso de garantizar el acceso más equitativo a los espacios al aire libre. Desde 1976, Sonoma Land Trust protegió más de 61.000 acres de tierras naturales, agrícolas y de espacio abierto para futuras generaciones. Sonoma Land Trust recibió el Premio a la Excelencia de la Alianza de Fideicomisos de Tierras en 2019 y está acreditado por la Comisión de Acreditación de Fideicomisos de Tierras. Para obtener más información, visite www.sonomalandtrust.org

ACERCA DE LA UNIDAD SONOMA-LAKE-NAPA DE CAL FIRE

El Departamento de Silvicultura y Protección contra Incendios de California (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE) presta servicios y resguarda a las personas, además de proteger la propiedad y los recursos de California. La Unidad Sonoma-Lake-Napa de CAL FIRE, cuyas siglas son LNU, es una de las 21 unidades administrativas de CAL FIRE y una de las más grandes. Abarcando el norte del Área de la Bahía de San Francisco desde el océano Pacífico hasta el corredor de la autopista interestatal 5, los condados de Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma y Yolo se unen para formar una Unidad CAL FIRE. LNU tiene la responsabilidad principal de proteger 2.063.280 acres del Área de Responsabilidad Estatal (State Responsibility Area, SRA), la mayor cantidad de cualquier Unidad de CAL FIRE, y una amplia gama de tipos de vegetación, poblaciones y entornos políticos. Contamos con 21 estaciones de bomberos, 31 vehículos estatales, seis excavadoras, dos campamentos de conservación, una cuadrilla de reducción de combustible, una cuadrilla de bomberos que trabajan a mano, una base helitransportada, una base de ataque aéreo y muchos otros puestos de personal de apoyo.

Foto de la quema prescrita de Pole Mountain en julio de 2023, cortesía de Sonoma Land Trust (Foto: Sashwa Burrous, Colectivo Coldwater)

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Board Announces New Members 2025

Santa Rosa, CA, July 29, 2025 – Sonoma Land Trust announced five additions to its Board of Directors: Jennifer Litwak, Jennifer Wong Hartman, Jeanette Pantoja, Claire Jahns, and Reno Keoni Franklin. Effective May 19, 2025, the newly elected board members bring a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives in community development, sustainable investment, public health, traditional ecological knowledge, and conservation strategies. As Sonoma Land Trust looks back on fifty years of conservation success and ahead to the next fifty years, the expanded Board of Directors will be essential in charting a bold and sustainable course for the future.

Sonoma Land Trust’s mission is to partner with local communities to protect the open, natural, and working lands and waters of Sonoma County to secure healthy and thriving futures for all.

The five new board members join the current eighteen members who have dedicated countless hours, expertise, and talents, bringing together their collective experience and passion to guide and strengthen our commitment to fulfilling our mission. Through their leadership, the organization has upheld the highest standards of excellence in the land trust community, ensuring lasting impact and organizational resilience even during the most challenging of times.

“I’m excited by the breadth of experience that these new members bring to our board,” said Scott Hafner, board chair of Sonoma Land Trust. “They share a deep passion for protecting the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Sonoma County.”

“As Sonoma Land Trust continues to reimagine and build a climate-resilient future, we are thrilled to welcome five new board members. Their diverse perspectives and unwavering commitment to conservation will help us forge deeper connections with our communities as we prepare to celebrate fifty years of conserving the lands and waters of this extraordinary region.”

Meet the new board members and hear what they have to say about Sonoma Land Trust:

Jennifer Litwak, Esq., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of PEP Housing, a nationally recognized nonprofit developer of affordable, service-enriched housing. She has directed the acquisition, development, and preservation of over 8,800 units of affordable housing nationwide, with transactions totaling more than $1.3 billion. A licensed attorney and accomplished nonprofit executive, Jennifer brings deep expertise in housing finance, land use policy, and community development, and has been nationally recognized for her work advancing equitable access to housing and building sustainable, people-centered communities. She serves as chair of the Urban Land Institute’s National Affordable & Workforce Housing Council, Real Property Trust & Estate section advisor to the Uniform Law Commission through the American Bar Association, and sits on LeadingAge California’s Public Policy Committee and Housing Cabinet. Jennifer brings her experience at the intersection of housing, land preservation, and community resilience and her passion for creating healthy, inclusive communities aligns with the Land Trust’s mission to protect the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Sonoma County. Jennifer shared that she is honored “to serve on the board of Sonoma Land Trust and to contribute her experience at the intersection of housing, land preservation, and community resilience.” Her passion for creating healthy, inclusive communities aligns strongly with the Land Trust’s mission to protect the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Sonoma County.

Jennifer Wong Hartman is an investor at LGT Capital Partners with a focus on sustainable and impact investing. Her previous roles span Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Glenmede Trust Company, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative. She holds a BS in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Jennifer currently resides in Sebastopol with her family and is passionate about aligning capital with long-term environmental and social impact. Jennifer shared that, “I joined the Sonoma Land Trust board to help play a part in ensuring that my children and future generations may get to experience the beautiful nature of Sonoma County.”

Jeanette Pantoja brings a decade of experience cultivating relationships among institutions and community-based organizations from across sectors to facilitate resource sharing, learning, and collective action. In her most recent role as Director of Sonoma County Community Organizations Active in Disaster, Jeanette led a collaborative of over 70 local organizations whose purpose is to help prepare and coordinate actions among organizations before, during, and after a disaster. Before COAD, Jeanette’s work focused on health sector investments in housing stability, the integration of public health into climate change planning, and rural community environmental justice advocacy and organizing. Jeanette and her family live in Santa Rosa and enjoy live music, swimming, and camping throughout the North Coast. Jeanette had this to say about her new position as a board member of Sonoma Land Trust, “I’m excited to contribute my experience in environmental justice and learn from Sonoma Land Trust, whose mission is critical to the health of my Sonoma County neighbors. SLT’s conservation and restoration efforts preserve our natural landscapes as sources of healing, connection, and protection from the threats of a changing climate.”

Claire Jahns is the founder of Scale, a consultancy providing strategic guidance and research to governments, non-profit organizations, and philanthropic institutions to advance climate and conservation strategies for agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity. Previously, she served as Assistant Secretary for Climate at the California Natural Resources Agency, as a project director with The Nature Conservancy in California, and as an economist at the Chicago Climate Exchange. Claire holds a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, an MBA from the Yale School of Management, and a BA from Oberlin College. She and her family live on a small farm outside of Petaluma, California, which they share with sheep, chickens, and an abundance of wildlife. Claire shared, “I’m inspired by Sonoma Land Trust’s deep commitment to community, to biodiversity conservation, and to our shared, climate-resilient future. I am excited to join in this work to help create a positive future for my kids and everyone who calls Sonoma home.”

Reno Keoni Franklin, chairman emeritus of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, and a lifelong advocate for tribal sovereignty, health equity, and land restoration. He is both American Indian and Native Hawaiian (Makaiwi Ohana). His path to service began in the Cedarville, CA, fire department and continued through elected roles in tribal and regional health organizations. He has held key national positions, including chair of the National Indian Health Board and the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, where he advanced policy on Native health and sacred site protection. Appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, he served across three administrations, shaping national preservation policy through a tribal lens and elevating Indigenous voices. He also led the return of 880 acres of ancestral coastal land, now known as the Kashia Coastal Reserve, to his tribe, restoring coastal ownership for the first time in 150 years. Reno remains a respected leader in tribal consultation and Indigenous policy, and is also a dedicated father, son, brother, and member of the Kashia Pomo Tribe.

Reno had this to say about his new position as a board member of Sonoma Land Trust, “Land conservation has always been at the heart of the work I do. I have worked for years with SLT and have a deep respect for the work I have seen them do.”

Discover how Sonoma Land Trust is leading the protection and restoration of natural and open spaces across the county. Explore our work and see the solutions in action at www.sonomalandtrust.org

Sonoma Land Trust Strengthens Board with Five New Members to Advance Climate-Resilient Conservation

Santa Rosa, Calif. (July 29, 2025) — Sonoma Land Trust announced five additions to its Board of Directors: Jennifer Litwak, Jennifer Wong Hartman, Jeanette Pantoja, Claire Jahns, and Reno Keoni Franklin. Effective May 19, 2025, the newly elected board members bring a wealth of expertise and diverse perspectives in community development, sustainable investment, public health, traditional ecological knowledge, and conservation strategies. As Sonoma Land Trust looks back on fifty years of conservation success and ahead to the next fifty years, the expanded Board of Directors will be essential in charting a bold and sustainable course for the future.

Sonoma Land Trust’s mission is to partner with local communities to protect the open, natural, and working lands and waters of Sonoma County to secure healthy and thriving futures for all.

The five new board members join the current eighteen members who have dedicated countless hours, expertise, and talents, bringing together their collective experience and passion to guide and strengthen our commitment to fulfilling our mission. Through their leadership, the organization has upheld the highest standards of excellence in the land trust community, ensuring lasting impact and organizational resilience even during the most challenging of times.

“I’m excited by the breadth of experience that these new members bring to our board,” said Scott Hafner, board chair of Sonoma Land Trust. “They share a deep passion for protecting the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Sonoma County.”

“The next fifty years will not mirror the last. Species populations are in freefall. Climate change is accelerating habitat loss and fueling increasingly intense weather events. Federal and state conservation funding remains uncertain. In this pivotal moment, expanding our board is not just strategic—it’s essential,” shared Eamon O’Byrne, executive director of Sonoma Land Trust.

“As Sonoma Land Trust continues to reimagine and build a climate-resilient future, we are thrilled to welcome five new board members. Their diverse perspectives and unwavering commitment to conservation will help us forge deeper connections with our communities as we prepare to celebrate fifty years of conserving the lands and waters of this extraordinary region.”

Meet the new board members and hear what they have to say about Sonoma Land Trust:

Jennifer Litwak, Esq., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of PEP Housing, a nationally recognized nonprofit developer of affordable, service-enriched housing. She has directed the acquisition, development, and preservation of over 8,800 units of affordable housing nationwide, with transactions totaling more than $1.3 billion. A licensed attorney and accomplished nonprofit executive, Jennifer brings deep expertise in housing finance, land use policy, and community development, and has been nationally recognized for her work advancing equitable access to housing and building sustainable, people-centered communities. She serves as chair of the Urban Land Institute’s National Affordable & Workforce Housing Council, Real Property Trust & Estate section advisor to the Uniform Law Commission through the American Bar Association, and sits on LeadingAge California’s Public Policy Committee and Housing Cabinet. Jennifer brings her experience at the intersection of housing, land preservation, and community resilience and her passion for creating healthy, inclusive communities aligns with the Land Trust’s mission to protect the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Sonoma County. Jennifer shared that she is honored “to serve on the board of Sonoma Land Trust and to contribute her experience at the intersection of housing, land preservation, and community resilience.” Her passion for creating healthy, inclusive communities aligns strongly with the Land Trust’s mission to protect the ecological integrity and natural beauty of Sonoma County.

Jennifer Wong Hartman is an investor at LGT Capital Partners with a focus on sustainable and impact investing. Her previous roles span Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Glenmede Trust Company, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative. She holds a BS in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Jennifer currently resides in Sebastopol with her family and is passionate about aligning capital with long-term environmental and social impact. Jennifer shared that, “I joined the Sonoma Land Trust board to help play a part in ensuring that my children and future generations may get to experience the beautiful nature of Sonoma County.”

Reno Keoni Franklin, chairman emeritus of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, and a lifelong advocate for tribal sovereignty, health equity, and land restoration. He is both American Indian and Native Hawaiian (Makaiwi Ohana). His path to service began in the Cedarville, CA, fire department and continued through elected roles in tribal and regional health organizations. He has held key national positions, including chair of the National Indian Health Board and the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, where he advanced policy on Native health and sacred site protection. Appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, he served across three administrations, shaping national preservation policy through a tribal lens and elevating Indigenous voices. He also led the return of 880 acres of ancestral coastal land, now known as the Kashia Coastal Reserve, to his tribe, restoring coastal ownership for the first time in 150 years. Reno remains a respected leader in tribal consultation and Indigenous policy, and is also a dedicated father, son, brother, and member of the Kashia Pomo Tribe.

Reno had this to say about his new position as a board member of Sonoma Land Trust, “Land conservation has always been at the heart of the work I do. I have worked for years with SLT and have a deep respect for the work I have seen them do.”

Discover how Sonoma Land Trust is leading the protection and restoration of natural and open spaces across the county. Explore our work and see the solutions in action at www.sonomalandtrust.org

About Sonoma Land Trust

Since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust has protected over 61,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural, and open land to ensure clean air and water, support thriving wildlife habitats, and strengthen climate resilience for future generations. We meet the highest national standards for excellence in land conservation and are accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the independent organization that oversees the financial, ethical, and operational practices of land trusts across the country.

Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park Quadruples in Size with Newly Conserved Addition

Save the Redwoods League and partners conserve 1,500+ Acres of Redwood Forest to Expand Regional Park Near Russian River in Sonoma County

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space District Holds Conservation Easement and Recreation Covenant for Further Forest Protection and Recreation

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (June 24, 2025) — In a historic move for land conservation and public recreation in Sonoma County, local and regional partners have collaborated to acquire the 1,517-acre Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property. Led by Save the Redwoods League, the project has now culminated in the purchase and transfer of the property to Sonoma County Regional Parks to expand Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve (see map below). Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) has secured a conservation easement and recreational covenant to guide the long-term stewardship and eventual public access to the newly acquired site. The California Wildlife Conservation Board and Sonoma Land Trust also acted as key fundraising partners on the acquisition.

“The League’s purchase and immediate transfer of the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion to Sonoma County Regional Parks marks a significant moment for redwood forest conservation,” said Steve Mietz, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “This gorgeous property connects a network of protected lands, safeguarding critical wildlife corridors, salmon-bearing streams and fast-growing young redwood forests. We’re proud to have worked with our partners at Sonoma County Regional Parks and the Ag + Open Space District to achieve this milestone. The League is especially grateful to our non-profit conservation partner Sonoma Land Trust for its partnership in raising funds the needed to conserve these lands.”

Less than two hours north of San Francisco, the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion shares 75% of its border—about 4.7 miles—with Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve to the east and Sonoma Coast State Park to the west. The property links a conserved area of more than 22,000 contiguous acres (more than 34 square miles) of forest, wildlife corridors and watershed, from the Bohemian Highway to the Sonoma Coast and north to Jenner Headlands.

“We are thrilled to receive the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion as the newest part of our growing regional park system, and are fully committed to its long-term stewardship,” said Bert Whitaker, director of Sonoma County Regional Parks. “We are grateful to Save the Redwoods League and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space for their vision and partnership in ensuring this land is conserved, and soon to be accessible to the public for generations to come as part of Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve.”

“The Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion represents the very heart of what we work to conserve — landscapes that promote biodiversity, support climate resilience and connect people to nature,” said Misti Arias, general manager for Ag + Open Space. “Through the conservation easement and recreational covenant, we’re ensuring that this remarkable forest will be available for all to enjoy in balance with its environmental values. We’re in awe of the collaboration and partnerships that made this deal possible.”

Save the Redwoods League acquired the multi-parcel Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property for $24 million from Mendocino Redwood Company, LLC (MRC). The League then immediately transferred the property to Sonoma County Regional Parks. Numerous partners and supporters came together to make this deal possible, and funding was provided by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Ag + Open Space, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Sonoma Land Trust, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, an anonymous West Sonoma County family and generous donors to Save the Redwoods League.

“Protecting Monte Rio Redwoods means more people will be able to connect with nature while also conserving a climate-resilient forest with incredible habitat and watershed value,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB). “As a proud funding partner, WCB is thrilled to support projects like this that help build a healthier, more accessible California — and that move us closer to reaching the state’s 30×30 goals.”

“This property connects to over 10,000 acres of open space we’ve worked hard to protect — and we’re not done,” said Eamon O’Byrne, executive director of Sonoma Land Trust. “We’re pursuing new conservation opportunities in the mountains and along the coast to restore salmon streams, expand habitat connectivity, promote biodiversity, and ensure clean water throughout the Russian River system. Working closely with our partners, we are fulfilling our commitment to increase recreation and open space opportunities for communities that are especially vulnerable to climate change.”

“The Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion is a phenomenal win not only for the West County, but for all of Sonoma County,” said Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Lynda Hopkins, whose 5th District encompasses Monte Rio. “This land is breathtakingly beautiful — and it’s a vital part of our region’s ecological health, climate resilience and cultural heritage. I’m grateful to Sonoma County Regional Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Land Trust for their collaboration in securing this crucial forestland.”

About the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion

The 1,517-acre Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property contains approximately 1,287 acres of coast redwood forest that has been in timber production for over 150 years. There are a few old-growth trees across the property, including one 14-foot-wide ancient tree with a tunnel through its base.

The property’s coast redwoods are mixed with Douglas-fir, tanoak and California bay trees. The forest at the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion is a high conservation priority for its wildlife habitat and stream headwaters, the future opportunity for public access and the forest’s ability to sequester carbon, a key component of climate change mitigation. Redwood forests store carbon in their rot-resistant wood for centuries, and research has confirmed that young redwoods grow quickly, storing substantial amounts of carbon in a relatively short period. For all these benefits, conserving Monte Rio Redwoods aligns with California‘s 30×30 goals to conserve 30% of the state‘s lands and coastal waters by 2030.

The property has 3.7 miles of streams, including the headwaters of Dutch Bill, Freezeout and Willow creeks—tributaries of the Russian River and spawning streams for federally listed coho salmon and steelhead trout.

Regional History

The Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion is within the traditional lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and the Southern Pomo group of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

As with most of the redwood forest that historically grew along the Russian River corridor, old-growth trees of this property were logged in the mid-19th century. The redwoods today are mostly the next generation. The Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion has been a conservation priority for the critical link it would provide to connect more than 34 square miles of conserved lands that regional partners have worked for decades to protect.

Save the Redwoods League

One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national, and local parks and reserves. For information, visit SaveTheRedwoods.org.

Sonoma County Regional Parks

Sonoma County Regional Parks provides essential opportunities for people to connect with nature. We contribute to the vibrancy and well-being of our community by expanding access to recreation experiences, serving as responsible stewards of cultural and natural resources and ensuring that our parks are clean, safe and welcoming. Learn more at SonomaCountyParks.org.

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space

Sonoma County Ag + Open Space permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. The agency is responsible for the conservation and perpetual stewardship of over 125,000 acres of land throughout our region. These agricultural and open space lands are protected through a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006. For more information, please visit SonomaOpenSpace.org.

California Wildlife Conservation Board

The Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and for the public’s use and enjoyment in partnership with conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California. Originally created within the California Department of Natural Resources and later placed with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, WCB is a separate and independent Board with authority and funding to carry out an acquisition and development program for wildlife conservation. More information at WCB.CA.gov.

Sonoma Land Trust

Since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust has protected over 61,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural, and open land to ensure clean air and water, support thriving wildlife habitats, and strengthen climate resilience for future generations. We meet the highest national standards for excellence in land conservation, and are accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the independent organization that oversees the financial, ethical, and operational practices of land trusts across the country. Learn more at SonomaLandTrust.org.

Prescribed burning activities planned near Glen Ellen, May 14, 2025

Oak grassland along Bennett Valley Road will undergo prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risk and benefit native habitat.

Sonoma Land Trust plans to conduct a 12-acre prescribed burn at Sonoma Mountain Vernal Pools on Wednesday, May 14, as part of a land management strategy that will build resilience against wildfire and benefit native habitat in the Sonoma Valley. This is a permitted burn; please avoid calling 9-1-1 to report smoke and fire in the area. Roadway signage will be posted.

Sonoma Mountain Vernal Pools Preserve
8301 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa
Between Keiser Ranch Road and Enterprise Road
Burn unit: 12 acres of oak savannah with an understory of grass.
**This operation is subject to change depending on conditions. **

Ignitions may commence as early as 10 a.m., with firing operations concluding by 5 p.m. Residents traveling between Santa Rosa and Glen Ellen may see or smell smoke in the air for up to 10 hours. Travelers on Bennett Valley Road may notice smoke and experience slowing traffic. Children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions should consider limiting outdoor
activities and using an air filter at home if local air quality is poor.

This prescribed burn will be conducted by prescribed fire managers from Sonoma Land Trust, with support from All Hands Ecology’s Fire Forward program, Sonoma County Regional Parks, the Good Fire Alliance, and Sonoma County’s prescribed burn association. The crew will manage the burn activities during the day and will patrol the unit until all heat has been extinguished.

Stay Informed:

Information on when and where prescribed fires are happening is also available on the
WatchDuty app: https://app.watchduty.org/
Sign up for Sonoma Land Trust alerts at https://sonomalandtrust.org/prescribed-burns/

About Sonoma Mountain Vernal Pools Preserve
The 175-acre Sonoma Mountain Vernal Pools Preserve is located along Bennett Valley Road and is owned and managed by Sonoma Land Trust. Permanently protected in 2023, it is home to two vernal pools, mature oak woodlands, intact grasslands, and portions of Yulupa Creek. The goal of this prescribed burn is to improve the health of the oak and grassland ecosystems while reducing natural fuels and building resilience against wildfire.

Building wildfire resistance across the region
These activities contribute to regional stewardship goals developed by the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative, comprised of All Hands Ecology, California State Parks, Mitsui Ranch Preserve, Sonoma County Regional Parks, Sonoma Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Land Trust. The Collaborative collectively owns and manages 20,000 acres in the Sonoma Valley and is focused on using prescribed fires that benefit native habitat and build wildfire resilience across the region.

Sonoma Land Trust meets high national standards for excellence–again!

Sonoma Land Trust recognized for excellence by Land Trust Alliance

Sonoma Land Trust is proud to announce that it has once again met the highest national standards for excellence in land conservation, earning renewed accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, the independent organization that oversees the financial, ethical, and operational practices of land trusts across the country.

This recognition reflects our enduring commitment to protecting the open, natural, and working lands and waters of Sonoma County for current and future generations. Through strong governance and fiscal responsibility, Sonoma Land Trust continues to meet the rigorous
standards required for national accreditation.

Following an extensive review by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission—an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance—Sonoma Land Trust’s accreditation has officially been renewed, underscoring our dedication to conservation excellence and long-term stewardship.

Originally accredited in 2013, this latest renewal highlights our ongoing commitment to accountability, transparency, and the highest standards of conservation practice. The rigorous accreditation process evaluates land trusts across key areas, including land stewardship,
financial management, and organizational governance.

Renewed accreditation is one of the most meaningful ways we demonstrate to our supporters, partners, and community that we take our mission seriously. Accredited land trusts must uphold national best practices that ensure responsible land care, strong leadership, and lasting conservation outcomes.

The Commission recognized Sonoma Land Trust’s leadership and innovation, stating:

“Sonoma Land Trust has made an extraordinary commitment to operational excellence, trust, and permanence in land conservation. The Commission especially recognizes Sonoma Land Trust for its leadership role in the creation of the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative and its overall focus on reducing wildfire risk and improving forest health in response to the catastrophic wildfires of 2017, 2019, and 2020 in Sonoma County.”

We are deeply honored to continue being part of a nationally accredited network of conservation leaders. Accreditation validates the trust our communities place in us and strengthens our ability to protect Sonoma County’s most vital landscapes.

“Earning accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance is more than a badge—it’s a mark of excellence that assures our community, donors, and Grantmakers that we meet the highest national standards for land conservation,” says Eamon O’Byrne, executive director of Sonoma Land Trust. “This rigorous, independent review process affirms our commitment to ethical conduct, sound finances, and lasting stewardship. When you invest in an accredited land trust, you can be confident your support is making a durable, credible impact.”

Discover how Sonoma Land Trust uses nature-based solutions to tackle climate change and protect biodiversity—right here in Sonoma County. Explore our work and see the solutions in action at www.sonomalandtrust.org

Child in the Wild is back – A Sonoma Land Trust event at Howarth Park

A free community event celebrating the future Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Park.

Sonoma Land Trust is hosting a free, family friendly event on Sunday, June 1, in Howarth Park to bring the community together in celebration of the future planned Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway park. Child in the Wild: Niños en la naturaleza is open to the public and will take place from 12pm to 4pm at the Howarth Park lower lawn located at 630 Summerfield Avenue in Santa Rosa. The afternoon includes a schedule of activities for kids of all ages, from dance groups, bounce houses, hula hoops, face painting, nature activities, and more.

The afternoon includes performances from Danza Xantotl, Jeffrey Whitebear & The Wild Ones, the Redwood Empire Chinese Association Lion and Dragon Dancers, Sonoma County Pomo Dancers, Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén, and ZunZun.

Members of the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Campaign will be available to update the community on the progress made on the development of a 47-acre urban greenway park and open space that will connect Howarth Park to nearby high-density urban neighborhoods.

Performance schedule:
12:00pm – Sonoma County Pomo Dancers
1:00pm – ZunZun
2:00pm – Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén
2:30pm – Redwood Empire Chinese Association Lion and Dragon Dancers
3:00pm – Jeffrey Whitebear & The Wild Ones
3:30pm – Danza Xantotl

Booths featuring kids’ activities:

Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
City of Santa Rosa Rec & Parks
Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Campaign
Community Equity Foundation
Redwood Empire Chinese Association
4 C’s
Community Action Partnership
Climate Crisis Rapid Responders
Sonoma Land Trust
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation

“This is a free and family-friendly event that celebrates the recent progress made on the creation of the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Park,” says Ingrid Stearns, Sonoma Land Trust’s public programs manager. “We are thrilled that the City of Santa Rosa is the new owner of this future parkland as of last fall. We are honored to host such talented dancers and musicians and are thankful for the community’s support and participation as we build this park together.”

Sponsorship for this free event is being provided by Sonoma Land Trust, Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Campaign, Recology, Trek Bikes, Sonoma Clean Power, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, and Sonoma Water.

To learn more visit www.sonomalandtrust.org/child-in-the-wild

New Community Park coming to the Mark West Area

Site that burned in Tubbs Fire to be turned into community-envisioned open space park

SANTA ROSA, CA (April 7, 2025) – Ag + Open Space, Sonoma Land Trust (SLT), and the Mark West Area Community Fund (MWACF) are proud to announce the final step in the purchase of the soon-to-be Mark West Area Community Park. The 1-acre property is located on Old Redwood Highway, just north of the intersection with Mark West Springs Road, and is the former site of a daycare center that burned during the 2017 Tubbs Fire. The property is now owned and managed by MWACF, and is forever conserved and open to the public thanks to an Ag + Open Space conservation easement and recreational covenant.

In one of Sonoma County’s communities most impacted by wildfires, the Mark West Area Community Park is a unique opportunity to purchase one acre of land burned in the 2017 Tubbs Fire and turn it into a community-driven park. The park will offer an outdoor gathering place of healing for residents, nature-based recreation opportunities, and include restoration of native habitats. No such public space exists in the Mark West/Larkfield community at this time.

“‘Build back better, together!’ That’s what we pledged after the 2017 Tubbs Fire destroyed thousands of homes in the Mark West/Larkfield Community,” said Ag + Open Space Director and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. “This park delivers on that promise, coming from a true partnership between community members and local government. I applaud our community members for leading the charge authentically, and I am proud to partner with them to deliver this into reality.”

This project is a unique and successful example of how community members, local environmental nonprofits, and local government can all work together to conserve open space.

After the Tubbs Fire, a vision arose to turn the now unused lot into a community park, and that led to community members and Sonoma Land Trust meeting to discuss how to make this vision a reality. Community members then formed the nonprofit Mark West Area Community Fund, and in concert with SLT, applied to Ag + Open Space’s Community Spaces Matching Grant Program.

Ag + Open Space’s Community Spaces program focuses on protecting land and creating open spaces within our cities and communities, through partnerships with local public agencies, nonprofits and federally recognized Tribal organizations. In August 2023, the Mark West project was approved by Ag + Open Space’s Board of Directors (the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors).

“Sonoma Land Trust is proud to serve as a trusted convener, uniting people, partners, and funding to create vibrant parks and open spaces in urban areas,” said John McCaull, Land Acquisition Director at Sonoma Land Trust. “The Mark West Community Park stands as a shining example of how we can transform communities by enhancing access to urban parks. Alongside the Santa Rosa Greenway, this project is part of our Nature Nearby program, dedicated to ensuring that all people in Sonoma County have equitable access to parks and natural spaces. We are excited to collaborate with our partners to fulfill this commitment and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation in and around Santa Rosa.”

With the Ag + Open Space funding secured, Sonoma Land Trust was then able to make a “bridge” purchase of the property in January 2024, where they purchased the land for $1,800,000 on behalf of the MWACF with the commitment from Ag + Open Space to reimburse them for a significant portion of the purchase price – $1,169,500. Other acquisition partners include Mark West Area Municipal Advisory Council, a Sonoma County Community Infrastructure Grant, Saba Foundation and private donors.

That brings us to today, where Ag + Open Space has transferred the funds to Sonoma Land Trust, and the ownership and management of the property has been transferred to MWACF. In this final transaction, Ag + Open Space also acquired a conservation easement and recreational covenant over the property, ensuring that its natural and recreational values will be conserved forever.

“Our Mark West Area community is grateful for the support of Ag + Open Space and Sonoma Land Trust to make this new park a reality,” said Mark West Area Community Fund President Brad Sherwood. “It was always a goal to rebuild our community stronger, more resilient, and keep united after the 2017 Tubbs Fire. This park and partnership help accomplish that goal.”

Now that the park is officially in the hands of MWACF, the community’s vision can start to come to life. The MWACF is completing permits to begin construction of the park this summer. Ag + Open Space has also awarded SLT and MWACF an additional $300,000 in Community Spaces Matching Grant Program funds to help support design and planning, and development of basic infrastructure including ADA-
compliant pathways and parking. Community members who want to get involved should go to www.markwestarea.org.

	CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Jason Clay & Tyree Zander, Public Information Officers 707-967-4207 LNUPIO@fire.ca.gov
	Gina Fabiano Director of Marketing and Media Relations Sonoma Land Trust 707-596-3761 celular gina@sonomalandtrust.org

	Unidad Sonoma-Lake-Napa de CAL FIRE Jason Clay y Tyree Zander, Responsables de Información Pública707-967-4207 LNUPIO@fire.ca.gov
	Gina Fabiano Directora de Marketing y Relaciones Públicas Sonoma Land Trust 707-596-3761 celular gina@sonomalandtrust.org