Protected Lands

Archives for “News Articles”

Our Impact

  • Leveraging outside funds for local farms

    February 22, 2021

    We access state and federal funding sources to stretch our sales tax dollars. Most recently, we’ve garnered funds from the following sources: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, we have brought in $11.5 million …

  • Thinking (+ conserving) outside the box

    February 22, 2021

    Keeping agriculture thriving in Sonoma County has myriad benefits, including providing local food security, protecting groundwater basins, avoiding urban sprawl, retaining scenic beauty and the county’s rural character, and protecting biological diversity and wildlife habitat. Agriculture in our region is …

  • A year in review: Highlights from 2020

    January 27, 2021

    A year in review: Highlights from 2020 As we reflect on the last year we find ourselves full of gratitude for our amazing Sonoma County community. Every day, we strive to thank you all through our work – protecting the …

  • Resilience lessons on our protected lands

    December 29, 2020

    Resilience lessons on our protected lands After the 2017 Sonoma Complex Fires, Ag + Open Space led a study to evaluate how those wildfires impacted vegetation within burn zones. Since then, we’ve been honored to share the findings with local government …

  • Pryor Ranch and the impacts of the Walbridge Fire

    November 30, 2020

    Pryor Ranch and the impacts of the Walbridge Fire As wildfire season winds down and we transition to winter, we are reflecting on what we can learn from this year’s fires as we continue our preparedness and resiliency work. As …

  • A Farewell Message from General Manager Bill Keene

    November 30, 2020

    A Farewell Message from General Manager Bill Keene Greetings Ag + Open Space Community, On this my last day as General Manager, I want to take a few moments to reflect on my time at Ag + Open Space. When …

  • Saddle Mountain and the effects of the Glass Fire

    October 27, 2020

    Saddle Mountain and the effects of the Glass Fire During the Glass Fire, which is now thankfully 100% contained, Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve burned almost entirely. The Preserve is closed at present to volunteer patrollers as we assess and mitigate …

  • COVID-19 Agricultural Economic Impact Report

    September 29, 2020

    In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sonoma County agricultural community, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space commissioned an economic study to examine the effects of the pandemic on food-producing businesses in Sonoma County from 2020 to 2023.

  • Transformative youth program continues to thrive during pandemic

    July 30, 2020

    Transformative youth program continues to thrive during pandemic Through our Public Outings and Youth Education program, we help support Sonoma Ecology Center’s EnviroLeaders program that provides Sonoma Valley teens with the opportunity to gain essential job and life skills through …

  • Continuing to steward the lands we own

    June 29, 2020

    While some aspects of our work have been limited due to the COVID-19 emergency, we have continued to complete several stewardship projects on our fee lands, the properties that we own and manage. From general maintenance to prepping these lands …

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