eNewsletter
October 6, 2016 
In This Issue:  
*Gold Ridge RCD 75th Anniversary Board Tour
* Outing Nov 5 "Working with the Wild" 
*No-Till Drill Rental
*Outing to Bohemia Ecological Preserve
 

Gold Ridge RCD's 75th Anniversary
Board of Directors Projects Tour
Friday October 28th, 9am-12pm, Lunch 12-1pm

Gold Ridge RCD is celebrating their 75th Anniversary with a Board of Directors Project Tour. The tour is an occasion to reflect on the work we have accomplished this year, visit a few sites in person and humbly celebrate our 75th Anniversary.
 
This year, the tour has a strong focus on water conservation projects. We plan on visiting the Mountain View Jersey Dairy's newly constructed 1.4 million gallon rainwater catchment pond, a major conservation project for the Salmon Creek watershed, and the Westminster Woods 175,000 gallon spring-fed water conservation tanks in the Dutch Bill watershed. 
 
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to [email protected].
 

"Working with the Wild"
An Agricultural Heritage Outing to Duckworth Ranch
November 5, 11am-2pm

Come spend the day on the ranch with the dynamic Duckworth family. We'll hear their stories and philosophy as farmers who work with the wild on 80+ beautiful acres just outside of Sebastopol. Meet a variety of farm animals, and their wild neighbors, see fall foliage on the blueberries, and relax beneath the oaks on this beautiful property for a bring-your-own-lunch picnic. There will be an easy 1.5-mile hike through the oaks and along Blucher Creek to watch for birds and bobcats. Afterward, we'll teach wool-spinning by hand, using the Duckworth's own sheep's wool. This event will be wonderful for all ages, but especially great for children to come and get a full farm experience meeting animals and learning about where our food comes from.

Hosted in partnership by LandPaths and Gold Ridge RCD, this FREE outing is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who funded the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District's work with a quarter-cent sales tax. 

 

Facts About Your RCD - Did You Know?
  • In 2014-2015 Gold Ridge RCD was 89% grant funded. Our grants come from the federal, state and local levels. Our staff work incredibly hard to both write for and manage the grants our work is powered by. 
  • 7% comes from contracts to work directly with private landowners
  • 3% comes from a direct contract with private landowners
  • The remaining 1% of funds come from donations from our community and a parcel tax. Thank you to our generous donors!
 
Rent the RCD's No-Till Drill Seeder 

The RCD owns a large rangeland no-till seed drill which is available for rent at low cost to landowners. The NTD is available for $100/day for residents within the district and $150/day for residents outside of the district. 
Why non-tillage seeding? The practice of conservation tillage contributes substantially to better soil health as compared to the practice of conventional plowing. Most importantly, conservation tillage reduces the impacts of soil erosion - erosion carries away soil, nutrients and organic matter.

Contact  [email protected]  for more information.



Partner News
 
Russian River Confluence Events 
The  Russian River Confluence , being held in spring of 2017, is a landmark event to celebrate the Russian River watershed and deepen partnerships to ensure the watershed's future as a clean, thriving, and long-lasting foundation to our community's well-being. This fall, we ramp up for the Confluence event by touring the river's tributaries and paddling the Russian River itself.
 
Last Leg of the 10-Day Descent:
Forestville to Jenner October 7-9
LandPaths hosts a public trek from Monte Rio to the mouth of the Russian River in Jenner, over the course of two days. Early morning starts and a camp-out at Casini Ranch on Saturday night make this a full weekend of community fun. 

"Wildland, Watershed & Stewardship"
at Bohemia Ecological Preserve
October 8, 9am-3pm
You are invited to an interactive day of watershed-based learning and stewardship at the stunning Bohemia Ecological Preserve. We'll join local watershed experts for a morning of "walk and talks" followed by an afternoon of stewardship.

Thank you to all who attended the  
Willow Creek Tributary Tour 
Saturday, September 24, 11am-3pm


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The staff of the Gold Ridge RCD thanks you for your continued support.