Friends of Gold Ridge gave one word to describe why they value the RCD...
Thanks for the love!
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In this month's edition:
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RCD Updates: The virtual TEAM program promo video is out now, Gold Ridge secures funding for Fire Safe Camp Meeker, North Bay Forest Improvement Program, Wetland of international importance in our district!
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Staff Highlight: Brittany Jensen, Executive Director
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Publications: Milkweed Planting Guide for Sonoma County, Pile Burning Regulations and Guidance, Study Reveals Conservation Practices Reduced Carbon Footprint.
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Workshops & Activities: The Adventure Gap - Changing the face of the outdoors, Polinizadores: Quiénes Son y Cómo Conservarlos, Deep Dive: Snakes vs. Newts, Soil Health Symposium.
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Partner News: Black History Month - Black Environmentalists and Scientists, USDA Program Recommendations, Firewise and Beautiful Landscaping, Monarch Social Media Toolkits, Uptick in Recent Wildlife Predator Kills, Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update.
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TEAM Promo Video is Out Now
Watch our promo video & tell your educator friends!
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Learning transcends the classroom.
Our virtual program enables learners to study the diversity of local agriculture from their homes. Students of the TEAM program explore and engage with the interconnections of our landscapes and the people that steward them.
How do farmers adapt to the seasons? Where does our food come from? Why do we need pollinators? These are just a few of the questions we investigate during our visit to Open Field Farm.
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We hope you can join us! Teachers, please email us at info@sonomarcd.org to learn more and to sign your class up for this engaging, asynchronous learning experience.
This program is made possible with support from Sonoma Ag + Open Space and tax payers like you. Thank you!
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The RCD Partners with FSCM to Educate the Community on Fire Prevention and Management |
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This January, Gold Ridge RCD applied for and received $3,000 in funds and outreach materials to assist Fire Safe Camp Meeker with community education around fire prevention and management in Camp Meeker. Outreach materials include a canopy with the FSCM logo, signage, educational materials and swag. This grant was awarded by Listos California and the California Fire Safe Council's 20 Listos Outreach Toolkits Program. Fire Safe Camp Meeker is excited to use these tools to increase their visibility and impact in the community.
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New Program for Forestland Owners! |
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The North Bay Forest Improvement Program (NBFIP) supports planning and implementation of projects on private forested lands to reduce risks of wildfire and promote forest health. The program provides financial incentives to landowners to conduct this critical work.
More information about this exciting program will be coming soon!
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World Wetlands Day - February 2nd, 2021
Sonoma County's wetlands are incredible! How did you celebrate?
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Did you know that our very own Laguna de Santa Rosa is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance? Since 1971, wetlands all over the world have been designated by the Ramsar Convention to highlight the importance of wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide. The Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetland Complex is the 30th site in the nation to receive this unique distinction.
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The Laguna and surrounding Santa Rosa Plain Wetland Complex are of particular international importance due to the rare and endangered plant and animal species found there. The biodiversity of this region is tremendous; one of the world’s few diverse hotspots, and several unique vernal pool environments. We live in a special place--one recognized not just locally, but internationally. |
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Staff Highlight: Meet Brittany! |
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Hi I am Brittany (Heck) Jensen, Executive Director for the Gold Ridge RCD, and I’ve been at the RCD over 15 years now. I have grown up with many of you, learning from you and caring for the this beautiful place together. I moved to this area from my natal grounds of Redondo Beach in Los Angeles to attend Sonoma State University. During a semester abroad in Denmark on a field trip to a quince farm I was inspired to get into this work by the words of that farmer. He said “I wanted to farm because I want to make sure we humans can continue to feed ourselves without destroying our planet”. His words caused full body goose bumps and that next semester I changed my major from Education to Environmental Studies. In my last semester I landed an internship at Gold Ridge RCD and have been honored to work here ever since.
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An introvert at heart, I love being with family and friends, reading, walking outdoors, making things and contemplating how to be a good human. I am the mother of an almost 3-year-old boy, Lytton, who loves to farm and ranch like his dad and grandpa. He’s the seventh generation to live in Tomales and care for the land while growing food. My husband Jim comes from a long line of ranchers and farmers and we spend every spare minute we aren’t at work (or being with family) tending the animals and land on the family sheep ranch. Playing at the beach and sailing gifted me the respect and knowing of the ocean that has expanded to the adoration of the forests, creeks, farms and ranches of Sonoma and Marin. Every day I say gratitude for being able to live in a place where people are so connected to their environment and protect it with their whole hearts. My favorite place to be is at beach where possibilities seem endless and the air is filled with hope and joy. |
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Sonoma County Milkweed Planting Guide
Gold Ridge and Sonoma RCDs developed this just for you!
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Inspired to help the western monarch population in Sonoma County? |
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Plant Native Milkweed!
Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed plants as their sole food source. Without milkweed plants, monarchs would cease to exist!
When planting milkweed on your farm, ranch, or garden, it is important to remember to AVOID tropical milkweed and instead plant species that naturally occur in your region.
To help you with your springtime plantings, the RCDs have developed this Sonoma County Milkweed Planting Guide. Enjoy!
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Before You Burn: Pile Burning Regulations & Guidance in the Rainy Season
By Jacob McDaniel, Grizzly Corps Fellow for Sonoma RCD
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Getting ready to burn your piles over the rainy season?
Sonoma Resource Conservation District's GrizzlyCorps Fellow, Jacob, breaks down the best practices and regulatory guidance for pile burning in Sonoma County.
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Study Reveals Conservation Practices Reduced Carbon Footprint
By USDA NRCS California
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“The average carbon footprint of a Californian is 9.256 metric tons of CO2 per year,” says Carlos Suarez, State Conservationist for NRCS in California. “NRCS conservation practices applied by California agricultural producers completely offset the annual carbon footprint of 39,650 Californians. Utilizing another metric, these voluntary working lands actions by farmers and ranchers sequester carbon in healthy soils and offset greenhouse gas emissions of more than 79,000 typical passenger vehicles collectively driven nearly a million miles in a year.”
Four noteworthy conservation practices
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Composting: effective long-term method for building soil fertility in organic production systems.
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Cover cropping: grasses, legumes, and forbs for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes.
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Pollinator hedgerows: establishing wildlife habitat by planting herbaceous vegetation or shrubs.
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No till: limiting soil disturbance to manage the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and plant residue on the soil surface.
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The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors
Sonoma Land Trust presents speaker James Edward Mills
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Free Webinar, February 24, 7pm on Zoom |
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Sonoma Land Trust is committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors and is proud to announce a special speaker for Black History Month: James Edward Mills, author of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors.
“The Adventure Gap” refers to the racial, cultural and socioeconomic divide between those who spend time in nature and those who do not.
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A freelance journalist who specializes in telling stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living, James Edward Mills of Madison, Wisconsin has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989 as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, writer and photographer. His advocacy work focuses on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in outdoor recreation. Interweaving stories from his own life, Mills will address what we can do about The Adventure Gap. |
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Polinizadores: Quiénes Son y Cómo Conservarlos
Spanish language pollinator webinars from Xerces
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Webinar Gratis, Febero 18th, 10am, 11am, 12pm, & 1pm |
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En este seminario web, presentamos los grupos principales de polinizadores, su biología, y que necesitan para vivir y reproducirse. Destacamos las principales amenazas para polinizadores y damos pautas que cada persona puede tomar para mitigar y disminuir el efecto y los riesgos asociados con las amenazas.
Este seminario web se grabará y estará disponible en nuestro canal de YouTube.
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Deep Dive: Snakes vs. Newts
Sonoma State University
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Free Webinar, February 19, 10am-11am |
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Ever stumble upon a newt ambling slowly across your path in the woods, and wondered why the little critter didn’t seem concerned by a world full of threatening animals? That's because newts are defended by one of the most dangerous poisons ever discovered—tetrodotoxin—and almost no predators can eat them: almost no predators. Some garter snakes in parts of California and Oregon have overcome this imposing defense, but dining on newts may come at a price.
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Learn about this evolutionary drama unfolding between predators and prey right here in Northern California. Join us to explore local garter snakes, newts and the poison that binds them in an evolutionary arms race. No previous experience or knowledge is required. This event is recommended for ages 12 and up. Zoom meeting details will be sent to you upon registration. |
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4th Annual: Vineyard Soil Health Symposium
A virtual event hosted by the North Coast Soil Health Hub
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Free Symposium, March 11-12, 2021 |
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This event will bring together growers, vineyard managers, scientists, agency representatives, and others to provide an overview of vineyard soil health and potential climate change impacts and to discuss the cutting-edge practices and the latest data from the field.
Click the button to the right to learn more and register today! The Zoom link will be provided the week of the event - be sure to check your inbox!
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February is Black History Month
Celebrating the Black conservationists and scientists who have led the way in the United States.
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Can you name the Black conservationists pictured above? If not, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with a few of these incredible trailblazers! Some of these Black leaders are well known, and some lesser so. But all of them have made a lasting mark on the understanding and preservation of our natural world. Below, we have compiled a short list of resources and articles to help you learn more about Black leaders and organizations in the fields of conservation and science:
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New Analysis Finds USDA Program Can Support Farmer Viability and Alleviate Food Insecurity Both During and Beyond COVID-19 Crisis
By NSAC
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Harvard’s Food Law and Policy Clinic and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition release recommendations to strengthen USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program. |
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Firewise and Beautiful Landscaping
By Ellie Insley, Sonoma Ecology Center
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Did you know that you can have a fire-ready defensible space that is also great wildlife habitat, beautiful landscaping, and water-conserving? Ellie Insley, Sonoma Ecology Center Board Vice President breaks down landscaping in the defensible space zone. "The effort you make getting to know and maintain your garden is worth it! You will ensure that your property is more fire resilient, while providing habitat for wildlife, from bees, bluebirds and robins to monarch and swallowtail butterflies."
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Monarch Social Media Toolkit
Monarch Joint Venture (MJV)
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MJV created this social media toolkit to help provide easy and consistent communication regarding the status of western monarchs and opportunities to support western monarch conservation efforts. Please feel free to use and share these resources as you see fit. You are welcome to share this content outside of the MJV partnership!
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Uptick in Recent Livestock Predator Kills
The Sonoma County Farm Bureau needs your help!
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The Farm Bureau has been hearing from its members that there has been an increase in livestock kills by predators.
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In an ongoing effort to pool their resources and to collect confidential information about wildlife predation, the Farm Bureau created a Google Form that you can fill out and also share with your trusted friends in neighbors so that they can better understand how this issue is impacting our community overall. Please help the Farm Bureau spread the word about this effort to collect data.
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Have you had any livestock kills since July 1? If so, please respond on the confidential Google Form. The Google form is confidential and will only be used by the Farm Bureau to start telling the true story of livestock/pet depredation by cougars and other predators. They are actively researching possible causes for the uptick in recent kills in Sonoma County.
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Sonoma County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Update |
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Save the date for the upcoming County of Sonoma Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) Update Public Kick-off Meeting on Tuesday, February 16th at 7 pm! Learn about what a Community Wildfire Protection Plan is, the importance of the update and how to stay involved in the process.
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Follow the Gold Ridge RCD on Social Media!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on our latest efforts and projects (like helping the monarchs!) in our district. You can also track our hashtag, #GRRCD.
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