A life rooted in nature: meet Legacy League member Sarah Reid

For Sarah Reid, nature has always been more than a place to visit—it’s a way of life. Growing up in Sonoma County, Sarah’s love for the land was sparked by childhood camping trips, where she spent summers exploring forests, rivers, and national parks with her family. These early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to conservation and stewardship. 

Sarah has spent decades volunteering in parks and preserves, amassing thousands of hours working with organizations such as Sonoma County Regional Parks, California State Parks, and the Sonoma Land Trust. From leading educational programs to conducting wildlife surveys and patrolling trails on horseback, her dedication to preserving and sharing Sonoma County’s natural beauty is unwavering. A generalist naturalist and avid contributor to iNaturalist (@wildmare64) with nearly 50,000 observations, Sarah finds joy in documenting the diverse flora and fauna that make this region so special. 

Her passion for public access to nature is deeply rooted in her belief that people protect what they know and love. “When people develop a personal connection to a place, they become better stewards of it,” she says. While she strongly advocates for maintaining trails and access to open spaces, she also recognizes the importance of conserving some lands for habitat restoration and ecological balance. 

Sarah and her husband’s love for Sonoma County extends beyond their lifetimes. As members of the Legacy League, they have chosen to leave a lasting impact by supporting the Sonoma Land Trust in their estate plans. “We don’t have children, so when we thought about where we wanted our legacy to go, it was an easy choice,” she explains. “Sonoma Land Trust’s mission aligns with everything we believe in—protecting land, restoring habitats, and ensuring future generations can experience the same wild places we cherish today.” 

Through her tireless volunteerism and commitment to conservation, Sarah embodies the spirit of stewardship. Her story is a testament to the power of personal connection to the land and the enduring impact of giving back to the places that shape us.