Sonoma Land Trust

We are excited to welcome our first Conservation Easement Intern, Julian Goldberg to the Sonoma Land Trust team! Growing up in Sonoma County, Julian became passionate about conservation and protecting our lands by spending time hiking, exploring local landscapes, and through photography. Currently he is studying Natural Science at Santa Rosa Junior College and has plans to transfer to Sonoma State University for a degree in Environmental Science. Julian is “excited to contribute to Sonoma Land Trust and help preserve the landscapes that make this region so special.” As the Conservation Easement Intern, he is gaining hands-on experience learning more about the importance of conservation easements, conducting monitoring visits, and creating a mock conservation easement report to use in his professional portfolio. In his first month as an intern, Julian has been surprised to learn how “the land is protected forever through a conservation easement regardless of who owns it.” Our internship programs are a great place for passionate nature lovers to engage with and support Sonoma Land Trust’s mission by connecting our community with the outdoors. Learn more at https://ow.ly/YTHc50V5Gst Sonoma State University Santa Rosa Junior College #SonomaLandTrust #ExploringNature #NaturePrograms

Meet Jake and Toni, SLT members who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that drives meaningful change. Their passion for community empowerment and land conservation fuels their inspiring story. From urban upbringings with limited access to nature, they have become champions for preserving Sonoma County’s open spaces and supporting the global 30x30 campaign. They believe small actions, like spreading awareness about local conservation efforts, can ripple out to create a significant impact. In our January eNews, discover how their work launching Nolo, a self-help legal service company, paired with advocacy and storytelling, created a ripple effect, inspiring others to protect the beauty and resilience of our natural world. Read more at: https://ow.ly/EnKA50V4ugy #SonomaLandTrust #ForceForNature #protectingnature #MemberSupported

For the California red-legged frog, timing is everything! Winter rains provide the pond water for their nurseries; however, if those ponds don't dry up, their primary predator, the American bullfrog, can move in. To prevent bullfrogs from becoming established, seasonal ponds that dry each fall are required. This is because to reproduce, bullfrog tadpoles usually require two winters in water to mature, whereas red-legged frog tadpoles will mature into adult frogs in the same year. Read more to find out how we are protecting the red-legged frog through habitat restoration. https://ow.ly/UVoi50V2taG #WildlifeWednesday #californiaredlegged frogs #frogs

Looking to make meaningful connections in the Bay Area's environmental sector? Read this great article in Bay Nature Institute written by Ariana Rickard (our Public Policy and Funding Program Manager), Sejal Choksi-Chugh, and Olivia White Lopez. These three women are building community and recently launched the Bay Area chapter for Environmental Professionals of Color (EPOC) which now has 150 members! Their article highlights various affinity groups and empowering DEI initiatives in the Bay Area. Having a space to connect with people who share your identity and values is more important than ever. Ariana is doing fabulous work everywhere she goes, and she’s a vital part of the Sonoma Land Trust team. Read the article to learn more and join an affinity group that speaks to you and your identity! https://ow.ly/8LZL50UZWJu #EmpoweringCommunities #EmbraceEquity #natureforall

Meet the climate scientist you should know about! Dr. Daniel Swain is a climate scientist who focuses on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events on a warming planet. During this webinar, he'll dive into climate meteorology and also explain how the experience of near-coastal denizens may differ from those farther inland. We're eager for Dr. Swain to share his knowledge and break it down for us in our next Language of the Land webinar on February 26 at 6pm. 🔊 Spanish interpretation will be available. Register today for this free online webinar at https://ow.ly/hKzM50UZFbP @dlswain #SonomaLandTrust #Languageoftheland #FreeWebinar #ClimateAction

We are thrilled to announce a partnership with Save the Redwoods League to protect 1,517 acres in the Monte Rio Redwoods. Conserving the property will link a contiguous protected area of more than 22,000 acres (more than 34 square miles) of forest, wildlife corridors, watersheds, and parklands from the Sonoma coast inland to the Bohemian Highway and north to Jenner Headlands. This acquisition will conserve the largest remaining unprotected acreage of redwoods in Sonoma County south of the Russian River. Following the purchase from the Mendocino Redwood Company LLC in May, the property will be transferred to Sonoma County Regional Parks for long-term stewardship and to expand Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. Plans for public access will be decided after the property transfers, and announcements will be made in late Summer 2025 by Regional Parks. Read more about it on our website! https://ow.ly/cZ7b50UZE12 #SonomaCounty #conservation #monterio #savetheredwoods

Today, we celebrate the innumerable contributions women have made in science that have helped better our world. Our youth programs support gender equality in the sciences and are another step we’re taking toward building a better future for us all. In her third year on our Conservation Council, Maria has already made an impact on the natural world in Sonoma County by setting up wildlife cameras, tracking animal movements and weather patterns, and learning about biodiversity, which aids in our conservation work. As she continues her education in Environmental Science, she’s excited to expand her impact and make change on a global scale. The magic of Maria’s grandmother’s garden sparked her appreciation for both science and the environment, which has driven her passion for Environmental Science in wanting to “protect the enchantment of the world’s environments, to cultivate it." Maria loves how science stems from creativity, and how “so many aspects of our lives in contemporary society have tried to pressure us to shy away from being curious, to not question the world around us, why certain decisions are being made, but the whole purpose of science is just the opposite. Being able to wonder is my favorite thing about science.” We are excited for Maria’s future and the small part we have been able to play in her experiences with the Conservation Council. The Conservation Council is made up of Sonoma County high school students who participate in scientific research and conservation efforts where they gain real-world experience, learn tangible skills, and graduate with a heightened awareness of STEM careers and a deeper understanding of the scientific process and the world we live in. Learn more at https://ow.ly/QfaF50UYaLF #internationalwomenandgirlsinscienceday #BreakingBarriers #STEMEquality #ScienceForAll 🌐🔬

The water level surged this week, but this road stayed dry—now that’s some good news! At Glen Oaks Ranch, Stuart Creek jumped its banks in a dramatic display, but the floodplain did its job. It absorbed and stored the overflow, giving the water a place to go and protecting developed areas downstream. Floodplains are nature’s best defense against flooding, and this one is holding an acre-foot of water—about 326,000 gallons. That’s nearly enough to cover a football field one foot deep. Now that is what we call a SuperBowl! #SonomaValley #GlenOaksRanch #LandConservation #NatureBasedSolutions Prunuske Chatham, Inc.

Join Our Team!! We’re seeking a rigorous conservation scientist with strong communication skills to oversee applied research projects, furthering our commitment to scientifically informed conservation to leverage the latest science in our conservation strategy development, planning, preserve management, educational programs, decision-making, and advocacy. This newly established position will oversee Sonoma Land Trust’s applied field research and scientific data collections and will work collaboratively across the organization to identify opportunities to implement landscape-scale conservation. Sonoma Land Trust is more than a nonprofit. We’re a team with a deep love for the land, dedicated to protecting Sonoma County. Our culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion is strengthened through celebrating and acknowledging our efforts and successes, and valuing creativity, innovation, and tenacity. Please share this exciting new position with your network of talented and passionate friends dedicated to making the world a better place. Learn more and how to apply at: https://ow.ly/ykFr50UVV4j #SonomaLandTrust #SonomaCounty #GreenJobs #BestPlacesToWork Potrero Group

Hydroclimate whiplash is a phenomenon that refers to the rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather, and it's increasing worldwide. But what does it mean for the quality of life, for wildlife, and for food production in the state, as land becomes increasingly overwatered, oversaturated, and then excessively dried? And what can we do to act now? We're eager for Dr. Daniel Swain to share his knowledge and break it down for us in our next Language of the Land webinar on February 26 at 6pm. Dr. Daniel Swain is a climate scientist who focuses on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events on a warming planet. During the webinar, he'll dive into climate meteorology and also talk about how the experience of near-coastal denizens may differ from those farther inland. 🔊 Spanish interpretation will be available. Register today for this free online webinar at https://ow.ly/I5zb50UVaGu #SonomaLandTrust #Languageoftheland #FreeWebinar #ClimateAction