A new look for eNews
The warm summer months pull us outdoors and away from our screens, beckoning us to soak in the vibrant colors of daybreak or a lingering sunset. With this in mind, we redesigned eNews so you can quickly connect with the topics and events that interest you most. To read more, just click on a link. We welcome your comments and topic suggestions for future editions.
—Gina Fabiano, director of marketing and media relations
Memorable summers outside: Bay Camp
Bay campers head off for a final adventure as Summer 2022 comes to a close.
This summer, we invited children aged 7 to 12 to explore the watershed and lands of the San Pablo Bay with us. El Campamento de la Bahía, or Bay Camp, introduced 76 kids to new adventures in the restored salt marsh wetlands in the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge at Sears Point. Together, we played on the shore, created mud cakes and sandcastles, learned about local plants and wildlife, picked ripe blackberries by the handful, created works of art to decorate our spaces, and danced and sang as we built relationships with each other and with the land.
At Bay Camp, initial shyness quickly gives way to excitement as campers ride bikes, learn to repot and care for plants in the nursery, and paddle their kayaks on the San Pablo Bay and Petaluma River. In addition to creating wonderful memories, our summer camp inspires curiosity and builds confidence in campers as they connect with nature, diverse cultures, their peers and themselves.
Bay Camp is in its fourth year and growing strong. This summer, we provided nearly 80 percent of our campers with full scholarships, including free transportation, thanks to the generosity of our supporters and partners. These include the California Coastal Conservancy, Community Foundation Sonoma County’s Environmental Education grant, Vadasz Family Foundation, Sonoma County Tourism, Joe and Libby Endowment Fund and many other generous individuals, as well as La Luz Center, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Point Blue Conservation Science, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Operation Bicycle and Grand Central Cafe Petaluma.
See and hear our Bay Camp program in action in this short video, and download a camper-curated playlist of their favorite summer tunes here.
Nature—it's personal: summer memories from our staff
Summer draws us like a magnet out into nature. Enjoyment of our natural world can be as personal as it is universal. We asked our Sonoma Land Trust staff members to share their favorite places to spend these beautiful late summer days and hope you will share yours! How did you enjoy nature in Sonoma County this summer? Drop a comment on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
Coastal hikes—Shanti Edwards, stewardship senior project manager
Epic summer days on the Sonoma Coast are golden, quite literally. Golden grasslands unfurl to the edge of the sea, where the deep blue sky and ocean meet. This is my happy place, where I enjoy hiking the coastal loop trail of the Jenner Headlands Preserve, a 5,630-acre landscape protected forever by our conservation partners, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space and The Wildlands Conservancy. Post-hike, my family and I head to the Jenner estuary for some paddling and pelican appreciation.
Santa Rosa Creek splash—Chris Carlson, sonoma valley stewardship program manager
An afternoon at the Los Alamos Trailhead, at Hood Mountain Regional Park, provided a fun getaway for our family this past July. The short hike to the creek was a perfect distance for getting some exercise without overheating. Our boys played for an hour in the cool, clear water — dropping stones, splashing and snacking on their first wild blackberries.
Sunset at Doran Beach, Sonoma Coast—Ingrid Stearns, on the land program manager
This is the best beach spot for kids and dogs. The waves are gentle; the slope is shallow; and sunset at low tide brings diving pelicans, providing much entertainment. It’s so close to Santa Rosa that we can be there in about half an hour and catch the sunset after work.
Summer Cycling—Gina Fabiano, director of marketing and media relations
For a cyclist, timing is everything. Seasonal afternoon winds in the Petaluma Gap can be fierce, averaging 13-15 mph. My approach is to get out in morning fog and end with the parting clouds of blue skies before the heat of the day. Fallon Two Rock, Chileno Valley, Wilson Hill and the freshly paved Spring Hill Road offer some of the area’s best for Tour de France wannabes like me. It is also a great way to meet the locals!
Upcoming events
Free webinar: Understanding the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) Specific Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Please join Sonoma Land Trust and our partners in a free webinar that will help you understand the Sonoma Developmental Center draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the County Specific Plan.
Click HERE to Register
Language of the Land: Bringing Nature Home
Have you ever wondered if your home’s landscaping can have a positive effect on the environment? Or which native plants best support local wildlife or how your garden can help local ecosystems? To find out, join Douglas Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard.
- Thursday, September 15, 2022
- 6 to 7:30pm Pacific Time (US and Canada)
- Spanish interpretation provided
Click HERE to Register
Fall hikes
Join us on the land this fall as we observe the hawk migration and explore diverse regions of Sonoma County. We’ll post new hikes throughout the season, so be sure to check our outings page for updates.
In the news
A pillar of our work at Sonoma Land Trust is advocating for the conservation and restoration of our lands. This month, our expansive wetlands project in the San Pablo Bay made headlines in discussions about the future of SR 37. This wetland restoration project is designed to mitigate the devastating effects of sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay Area, providing a nature-based solution critical to climate resilience efforts in our area. This project could be negatively impacted by the SR 37 infrastructure changes proposed by transportation agencies if they do not include key components of the restoration plan, such as the Tolay and Sonoma Creek Bridge expansions.
Visit our News Room to read more
Be a Force for Nature
Camping, fishing, hiking, swimming and stargazing—nature is the backdrop for our most beloved summertime memories. It is hard to imagine what would take its place if the natural world were no longer there for us to escape to. That’s why we invite you to be a Force for Nature. Collectively, along with like-minded businesses, foundations and government partners, you are ensuring that future generations will continue to have access to natural places to enjoy forever. Find out how to make a special campaign gift, pledge or planned giving commitment by contacting Shannon Nichols, director of philanthropy, (707) 526-6930 ext. 140, shannon@sonomalandtrust.org.