Mid-Campaign Impact Report
we have accomplished
so much together.
The climate crisis is complex, but the solutions are right under our feet.
A Force for Nature was launched to help build a more resilient Sonoma County. To date we have raised more than $75M to acquire and restore the land and natural resources that sustain us.
Together we are fulfilling our mission to conserve the land of Sonoma County for the benefit of the community and future generations. This campaign has helped us conserve some of the most beautiful and ecologically significant land in the region. It also enables us to plan and raise funds for several important projects in our pipeline.
6,000 Acres
11 Projects
Conserving farmland, ranches, greenways, baylands, forests, coastline, wetlands, meadows, rivers and streams.
MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF NATURAL SOLUTIONS
Lessen Flood Risk
Recharge Ground Water
Reduce Fire Risk
Protecting Biodiversity
NEW
PROGRAMS
to grow an inclusive movement for nature
6,000 Acres 11 Projects
Conserving farmland, ranches, greenways, baylands, forests, coastline, wetlands, meadows, rivers and streams.
MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF NATURAL SOLUTIONS
Lessen Flood Risk
Recharge Ground Water
Reduce Fire Risk
Protecting Biodiversity
PRESERVING
NATURE NEARBY
Santa Rosa
Petaluma
Glen Ellen
NEW
PROGRAMS
to grow an inclusive movement for nature
Projects completed during campaign
A LEADER FOR 45 YEARS
ACCELERATING OUR WORK
We’re taking our 46 years of protecting the landscapes of Sonoma County and stepping up our game. This campaign is helping us use natural solutions to become a force for nature and fight for a climate-resilient future. Our strategic plan says it well: “Our task as humans is not only to turn the corner on global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but also to ready ourselves for the impacts of a changed climate already underway.”
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the enormity of climate change. But there are many things we can do to address the climate crisis. Nature-based solutions can simultaneously lessen flood risk, recharge groundwater, reduce fire risk, on top of shrinking carbon dioxide emissions. Working with nature, we are helping our community be more prepared for the change ahead. Donations of all sizes are incredibly important and have collective impact when invested in proven strategies for land conservation and restoration and community engagement.
We are pursuing fire resilience
After the 2017 wildfires, Sonoma Land Trust sprang into action with five other public land owners and Cal Fire to form the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative. Together, we are working on a long-term strategy across 18,000 acres in Sonoma Valley to help communities contend with wildfires. The work includes: reducing fire fuel levels at Jack London State Historical Park, installing shaded fuel breaks in Sonoma Valley Regional Park and conducting prescribed burns at Jack London State Park. By working together, we can prioritize the areas with the highest needs and use resources strategically.
65 Acres
of shaded fuel breaks completed
220 Acres
of understory thinned
64 Acres
of right-of-way roadway cleared
60+ Acres
of prescribed fire*
*Jack London State Historic Park, Sonoma Mountain Ranch, and Bouverie Preserve
MANAGING OUR PRESERVES FOR WILDFIRE RESILIENCE
Sonoma Land Trust is one of the first in the state to have wildfire resilience projects approved under the Cutting the Green Tape Initiative. The Governor issued this initiative to make the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process easier, shorter and less expensive for forest restoration projects. With this approval, four of Sonoma Land Trust’s preserves are now ready for forest thinning, shaded fuel breaks and prescribed fire, and this approval makes them eligible for various government grants. In partnership with the Northern Sonoma County Fire Prevention District, we’ll be implementing our plans across 78 acres at Laufenburg Ranch, Live Oaks Ranch, Pole Mountain and Little Black Mountain Preserves.
"I want to leave a world that works for my grandchildren."
supporting scientific research
Sonoma Land Trust conducted its first prescribed burn on nine acres of Laufenburg Ranch in June 2022. Controlled fires are one of the best tools for reducing wildfire risk and restoring fire resilience to the land. This burn helps restore grassland health and remove Yellow Star Thistle and Medusahead grass.
"The world is fragile. Working hard to safeguard it thoughtfully and strategically is so important. Sonoma Land Trust does just that, here where we call home. Our piece of the world."
ADAPTING TO RISING WATERS
Sonoma Land Trust convened a group of elected officials, state and federal agency representatives and partners for an important tour and discussion of our climate resiliency work in the Baylands. The meeting was convened at the request of Congressman Huffman to help engage and inform important voices among elected officials and agency partners for the work in this region and the Highway 37 project.
We are on track to meet our goal of enhancing and restoring 20,000 acres of tidal marsh habitat in the San Pablo Bay by 2030. Our commitment manifests in both planning and action. We are partnering with a Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit team to redesign Highway 37 in a way that mitigates traffic congestion and alleviates flooding while restoring and enhancing diverse Baylands habitats. Our efforts, and those of our conservation partners, have helped secure $7M in federal funding for the region.
This video, produced by Sonoma Land Trust, shares how nature is making a comeback around the Bay and proving its resilience. With help from conservation groups led by Sonoma Land Trust, citizen scientists are documenting the return of thousands of birds to San Pablo Bay.
Sonoma Land Trust recently partnered to produce an episode of OpenRoad on NBC Bay Area, highlighting how the restoration of wetlands may be the best and biggest opportunity for large-scale wetland restoration in the Bay Area.
Peter Baye, coastal ecologist and botanist explains how nature-based solutions in tidal wetland management can help us respond to rapidly changing conditions at the 970-acre Sears Point Tidal Wetland Restoration Project.
Climate change disproportionately affects low-income communities which is why we are intentionally engaging with underserved communities to foster solutions and plans that distribute the benefits of nature equitably.
HELPING CREATE SANTA ROSA’S OWN CENTRAL PARK
We are partnering with the City of Santa Rosa and the citizens of the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway Coalition to purchase the Southeast Greenway from Caltrans.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will restore, preserve and protect a two-mile stretch of vacant freeway right-of-way into a thriving, 47-acre urban park. Creating a new park takes a long time and has many stages from acquiring the land, to planning, to installing and building the new amenities like trails and community gardens, to the ongoing stewardship.
Connecting Spring Lake Park and Farmers Lane, the Greenway will feature numerous pathways for cyclists, walkers and joggers and provide a respite for neighboring apartment dwellers to enjoy community gardens, play areas and public art. Restoration will preserve wildlife habitat and create a rich and biodiverse outdoor classroom for students in eight nearby schools. We’re honored to play a leadership role at this early stage (and future stages) and know that open space in urban areas plays a critical role in creating a more healthy and resilient Sonoma County.
WE are Empowering communities
New programs developed and launched during this campaign are helping Sonoma Land Trust engage children, teens and families who reflect the rich diversity of our community. Our programs are designed to introduce these future environmental leaders and their families to the work we do and inspire the future conservation leaders of our community.
150+
Students
86%
OF Teens
in Conservation Council said they feel more connected to the environment and nature
2051
students
participated in the SLIME program during 2020-21
Conservation Council: Finding Our Future Environmental Leaders
Teens reported increased interest in STEM education and conservation careers.
100%
increased their awareness of Sonoma’s habitats and ecosystems
71%
learned about impacts of climate change on their community
86%
believe they can be a scientist if they choose to be
Bay Camp: Introducing Families to the Wonders of the San Pablo Bay
100%
He's never gotten so muddy in his life!
What's not awesome about that?
Bay Camp Parent
SLIME: Students Learning In Marsh Environments
Students Learning in Marsh Environments (SLIME) is Sonoma Land Trust’s regional school field trip program that connects 3rd and 4th grade students to the salt marsh ecosystems of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. On field trips, students get real-world examples of landscape-scale tidal marsh restoration and how it helps defend against sea level rise in Sonoma County.
With our partners, we developed resources for students and teachers in English and Spanish.
Click here to download.
BALANCING HOUSING AND WILDLIFE
The wildlife corridor that runs through the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) is a critical link within a larger corridor that connects Marin and Sonoma to the regionally important Blue Ridge Corridor along the Mayacamas. Plans to redevelop the 930-acre site, which has been officially closed since 2018, are underway. Our aim is to influence a redevelopment process that not only includes strategically placed affordable housing to create a vibrant community, but also protects the biodiversity that our lives depend upon.
thank you
The work we do during this campaign will have a tremendous impact on our future.
together we are a force for nature
want to get involved?
Contact Shannon Nichols Director of Philanthropy | 707-933-7220 | shannon@sonomalandtrust.org
Join Us in being
Sonoma Land Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our tax identification number is 51-0197006. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
(707) 526-6930 • info@sonomalandtrust.org
Sonoma County, California