Blog
September 2023 eNews
El Niño’s warmer temperatures advance sea level rise
Climate scientists are predicting an El Niño season which brings warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures, and has a major influence on weather across the globe including increasing sea levels through thermal expansion. Coming out of a decade’s long drought, this news brings the hope of refilling aquifers, watersheds, rivers, and rain capture containers for our home gardens. However, it can also bring concerns of how much water will come, over what period of time, and if it will bring devastating floods. This month, we focus on a few projects that address the rising waters by revitalizing natural systems to slow, spread, and sink the falling rain and absorb the rising tides. More details about our work is detailed in our Adapting to Rising Waters strategy.
Getting out of nature’s way
State Route 37 bisects the San Pablo Baylands, a northern reach of the San Francisco Bay, and is plagued by long traffic delays and periodic closures due to significant flooding during extreme weather events. Studies show that sections of this critical corridor connecting Solano County to Marin and Sonoma counties will be flooded regularly due to sea level rise starting in ~2040. A plan to elevate the road and to restore the wetlands, is gaining momentum and the first elevated segment has just been approved near the Novato creek, the site of prolonged flooding and closures in 2017 and 2019.
We are working with members of the Baylands Group, Caltrans, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and local transportation agencies, including the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, to align our restoration goals with plans to improve State Route 37.
Progress on implementing SR 37 improvements has been delayed due to a lack of funding and consensus between elected officials and state agencies. To improve coordination between transportation, regulatory, and resource agencies, a partnership agreement was signed in January 2023 between state and local agencies with commitments to implement near-term improvements to alleviate traffic congestion on SR 37 while pursuing long-term conservation and restoration projects to create a more climate-resilient transportation corridor.
One important component of the partnership agreement is the replacement of the Tolay Creek Bridge. Lengthening this bridge is a key component to a successful restoration and will allow up to 1,300 acres of (diked and drained parcels used for agriculture) baylands to be reunited with the upland watershed. This is one of the few opportunities for complete ecosystem restoration in the Bay and would reconnect Tolay Lake to the Bay. Fortunately, regional and state transportation agencies are committed to bridge lengthening as part of the interim improvements to State Route 37.
We are also engaging with our transportation partners on long-term plans to improve State Route 37. We support the Caltrans selection of an elevated causeway design for the long-term future of Highway 37. This will prepare us for a climate-ready future by incorporating natural infrastructure that will buffer the effects of flooding and erosion, while creating recreational spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Please see our website for more information on our tidal restoration plans along the State Route 37 corridor.
New staff introductions: Kylie and Merrill
Please join us in welcoming Merrill Hallett – our newest team member! Merrill comes to her position as Executive Assistant and Board Liaison with extensive experience holding leadership roles in operations, fundraising, and partnership development. She began her leadership training in the “outdoor office” as an adventurer, horse packer, and sled-dog handler, and then transitioned to the non-profit sector to advance climate and conservation solutions. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards and excels in building teams and systems. Merrill has roots in Sonoma County and now lives in Santa Rosa with her husband, son, and two very good dogs.
We are excited to welcome our new Youth Programs Assistant – Kylie Kerr! She brings a strong science background and diverse array of experience to her role on the community engagement team, including working as a teaching assistant, research volunteer, and holding the role of youth chair of the Petaluma City Youth Commission. Kylie recently graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences and Marine Sciences. Kylie loves to read, cross-stitch, hike, picnic, and spend time outdoors, and she volunteers at the Marine Mammal Center in her free time.
More than a nonprofit, we’re a team with a deep love of the land working together to protect Sonoma County. We’re proud to be voted one of the Best Places to Work by the North Bay Business Journal for the second time!
Looking back at our Member Appreciation Day event
Sonoma Land Trust’s Member Appreciation Day, held on August 19th at Glen Oaks Ranch Preserve, was a day filled with gratitude and celebration for the dedicated members who share our commitment to preserving nature, our most cherished resource. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us to make it an exceptional day on the land!
The day was nothing short of fantastic, offering a diverse range of activities that catered to every member of the family. The morning began with a rejuvenating yoga session offered by Mary Olswang of the Santa Rosa YMCA, as well as a co-led hike by Jennifer Potts of Audubon Canyon Ranch and Chris Carlson of the Land Trust across the Bouverie and Glen Oaks Ranch Preserves. Following that, our members embarked on a guided tour led by local historian Arthur Dawson, exploring the historic Civil War-era stone mansion and its picturesque surroundings.
For those eager to reconnect with the wild, there were opportunities to learn essential wilderness skills from REI. We also delved into the vital topic of wildfire ecology practices, an essential element in preserving our natural landscapes, with Joe Plauger, Stewardship Project Manager at the Land Trust. Families with children found delight in the dedicated kids’ zone, while others embarked on a self-guided stroll through the expansive 236-acre preserve. Along the way, they discovered the tranquil beauty of oak woodlands and expansive meadows.
As the day drew to a close, old friends reunited and new ones were made during a picnic lunch by local café, Zoftig, followed by cooling treats by Once Upon A Slush. The joyful atmosphere was amplified by the lively music offered throughout the day by Spanish Guitarist Richard Wormstall, Melody of China, and bluegrass band, Muleskinner Stomp.
Sonoma Land Trust’s Member Appreciation Day was a true celebration of nature and community. If you’re not yet a member and would like to join us for this event next year, please donate today!
Events
Language of the Land: Gardening for Wildlife
Language of the Land: Gardening for Wildlife
Lenguaje de la tierra: Jardinería para la fauna silvestre
Language of the Land: Raptors in the Skies
Wednesday, October 25, 7pm
In this webinar, California Certified Naturalist Larry Broderick will take us on an enlightening tour of the diversity of raptors that migrate down the Sonoma Coast each fall. We will enjoy a stunning visual display of close-up photographs and learn how to spot the birds in the skies. Drawing upon his decades of experience observing and documenting birds of prey, Larry will give us an insider’s view into this fascinating world of flight.
Language of the Land: Ancient Forests of Sonoma County
November 16, 7-8:30pm
The remains of ancient trees have been found at several locations in Sonoma County. In this talk, retired State Archaeologist Breck Parkman will highlight two of his important discoveries. The first was a Sitka spruce at Bodega Head, remnants of which were exposed during a winter storm. The second was a Monterey pine found eroding from Sonoma Creek. Both trees were many thousands of years old, dating to the last Ice Age. In this talk, Breck Parkman will discuss the nature of the ancient forests of Sonoma County and the significance of finding an ancient Sitka spruce and Monterey pine growing here at the end of the Ice Age. What might that mean in a world facing a changing climate?
Free Public Hikes in Partnership with Sonoma County Ag + Open Space
There is no charge for these events, which are made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax.
Estos eventos son gratuitos y son posibles gracias a los votantes del condado de Sonoma, que financian la labor de Ag + Open Space con un impuesto sobre las ventas de un cuarto de céntimo.
Bay Day Raptor Walk at Sears Point Marsh
Saturday, October 7
10am–12pm Register
1pm–3pm Register
Celebrate Bay Day with Sonoma Land Trust and Ag + Open Space with a raptor walk on the San Pablo Bay. Certified California Naturalist Larry Broderick will guide us on a journey to discover the many species of birds that can be found at the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. We’ll take a walk along the Dickson Trail between the tidal marsh restoration areas at the Sonoma Baylands and the former Dickson Ranch.
Level: Gentle
Raptor Walk with Larry Broderick at the Estero Americano Preserve
Sunday, October 15
10am–2pm
Join Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space as we look to the fall skies with raptor enthusiast and California Certified Naturalist Larry Broderick! Larry’s love for the birds is contagious and he narrates what is happening in the skies with the intensity of a sports commentator. Come away with skills to easily identify the raptors flying overhead during the fall migration.
Level: Moderate
Glen Oaks Ranch Walk
October 21
10am-2pm
Join Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space for a walk at Glen Oaks Ranch — an historic ranch located in Sonoma Valley near Glen Ellen. This 234-acre preserve was donated to Sonoma Land Trust in 2001. Sonoma County Ag + Open Space holds a conservation easement on this land, which designates three conservation zones — historic, agriculture and forever wild. This hike is approximately 3 miles with a 300-foot elevation gain.
Level: Moderate
Adventure Hike up Pole Mountain
October 22
10am–4pm
Join Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space for a guided hike up the north side of Pole Mountain. We’ll hike through the forest of the Little Black Mountain Preserve to reach the 2,204-foot summit for amazing 360-degree views of the Sonoma Coast and beyond. This is a 6-mile round-trip hike with a 1,000-foot elevation gain.
Level: Strenuous
Raptor Walk with Larry Broderick at the Jenner Headlands Preserve
October 29
10am–3pm
The Jenner Hawk Overlook is the spot to view the fall migration of raptors as they soar on the hillside updrafts along the Sonoma Coast. Join Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space for a hike with California Certified Naturalist Larry Broderick, who will introduce you to bird spotting and identification on location. We will walk approximately 4.5 miles with about 800 feet in elevation gain.
Level: Strenuous
See our Outings and Events Page for Additional Public Hikes
Recommendations
- Book: Water: A Biography by Giulo Boccaletti
- Podcast: Highway 37 Wetlands Tour
- Video: OpenRoad: Restoring Wetlands
- Webinar: Language of the Land: Adapting to Rising Waters
- TED Talk: The Secret to rising sea levels
- App: NOAA’s Tide Alert
