A Force for Nature: Teddy Guenin and Claire Coleman

Immediately upon moving to Santa Rosa in July 2021, Teddy Guenin and Claire Coleman knew they found the community they were looking for. The young couple relocated from San Francisco, where they had lived for several years while establishing their careers–private capital finance for Teddy and local government finance for Claire.  As nature lovers looking for somewhere to settle and start their family, Sonoma County seemed like a place they should try. Their instincts were spot on, Teddy sharing “on day one, we knew this was what we were looking for.” 

Since moving to Sonoma County, the couple has kept their love of the outdoors, describing themselves as “decently outdoorsy”, enjoying camping on the weekends, hiking, and cycling for Teddy. Claire says the Armstrong Redwoods is her favorite place to visit in the county, sharing “Redwoods feel like home to me, so I spend as much time in them as possible, though it’s never enough.” 

Claire’s mother worked for California State Parks during her childhood, so she’s no stranger to the state’s protected public lands. She says she spent a lot of time hanging out in ranger stations with her sister and exploring nature while her mom was working. Teddy was also immersed in nature from a young age but on the opposite side of the country. Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, he spent a lot of time playing in the woods near his house, backpacking, and learning about wilderness medicine. 

While Claire has been familiar with the California conservation landscape her whole life, Teddy’s job, among other focus areas, has given him the opportunity to learn more about conservation financing and interesting, creative ways to permanently protect land. Claire shares that giving is a huge part of their family and practice, with the goal of giving intentionally and finding organizations that match their values. Claire was aware of Sonoma Land Trust through her relationship with State Parks, knowing the organization’s partnership with the agency was strong. Teddy had seen an announcement about the protection of the Jenner Headlands and the story of the Land Trust’s involvement online, and it sparked his interest in our work. 

The couple share that joining as members felt like the easiest way to stay up to date, support the organization’s work, and learn more. Since nature and environmental protection are core values of theirs, they felt that supporting Sonoma Land Trust was a way to both become more engaged in their community and have an impact on a bigger level.  

Claire and Teddy are excited about high-profile community projects like the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway, but Teddy also names conservation easements and forest management as areas of our work that are interesting to him. He understands that protecting the land is just step one, and then it needs to be actively managed through restoration and stewardship. He says, “Announcing an acquisition feels like the ‘big shiny thing,’ but then you have the land long-term and the promise to take care of it in perpetuity.” 

Claire names the Land Trust’s partnership model and collaborative approach to conservation as important to our success: “You’re not an island, you’re working with so many groups and organizations, from tribes to state and county agencies and more. Managing those partnerships and relationships is so important.” She highlights, the benefits to the community when Sonoma Land Trust transfer properties to Regional and State Parks, creating more open space and access to nature for our community. 

Claire and Teddy are looking toward the future and the impacts the work we’re doing today will have for generations. They’re expecting their first child in Spring 2025 and ask themselves what they want the Sonoma County of the future to look like for their kids. Pointing to a map of protected lands in Sonoma County, Teddy says “I would like to see 50% of that map green (protected).”  (So would we, Teddy!)  

We were fortunate to spend time with Teddy and Claire during our Member Appreciation Day at Laufenburg Ranch Preserve, and they shared they were thrilled to see so many kids and families in attendance. Claire says, “We’re building our family now and we’re excited to come back next year and the year after, bringing our kids. I’d love to get my parents to join as well!”