Hood expands | Spotting raptors

January 2023

View into Sonoma Valley from McCormick property

Adding acres of adventure

Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve has expanded with two significant acquisitions that provide more opportunities to connect trails to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, enhance wildlife passage and conserve Sonoma Valley wilderness. The 888-acre Salt Creek Addition and a 253-acre section of McCormick Ranch along the Napa County line have enlarged Hood Mountain Regional Park to almost 3,600 acres, making it the county's largest regional park. Read more in this recent Press Democrat article.

We continue to work on new acquisitions for this park, including a property called One Hundred Acre Ranch that will connect Hood Mountain Regional Park and Preserve with Saddle Mountain in Rincon Valley. The nonprofit Sonoma County Parks Foundation welcomes your donation to support acquisitions at Hood Mountain Regional Park, as well as trail improvements and other projects.

Read the article

Support Hood

Winging in a new year

Did you know Sonoma County sits below a great aerial flyway for migrating hawks, eagles, falcons and other raptors and winter is one of the best times to spot raptors in your parks? Here are some of the common raptors to watch for and the Sonoma County Regional Parks where you’re most likely to see them. Venture out on your own or join one of our upcoming guided bird outings. Don't forget a pair of binoculars!

Six raptors to watch for

Calendar of events

Parks and climate change

Share your ideas on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change impacts in regional parks. This is the final phase of public input as we create a plan to tackle hazards posed by extreme heat, drought, flooding, landslides, wildfires (and more) and protect natural resources and community assets from the effects of climate change. Take this survey and let us know what you think!

Take the survey

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Join our team!

We're hiring extra-help park aides, lifeguards, marina attendants, a park acquisitions specialist, and are offering a paid internship with our natural resources team. Learn more and apply online at GovernmentJobs.com.

Apply online

Featured events

MLK Jr. Workday

On Monday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., embrace the spirit of community and service and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during a volunteer work day to beautify at Andy’s Unity Park. Tools, supplies, snacks and drinks will be provided. Free.

Winter Birding Wonders

Join us on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 9-11 a.m., for a beginner-friendly bird watching outing at Spring Lake Regional Park. Learn to identify the plumage, field marks, songs and calls of local birds. Cost: $10 (in-county); $12 (out-of-county).

park naturalist point out something on a trail to mom and young son

Nuestros Parques

On Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., enjoy a guided Spanish-language hike for the whole family at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Preserve. Learn about the nature and cultural history of this beautiful park in Santa Rosa. Free.

More info

Choose your own adventure

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Upcoming holiday closure

Regional Parks' main office in Santa Rosa will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. All parks will remain open.

Sonoma County Regional Parks

(707) 565-2041

ParksMarketing@Sonoma-County.org

SonomaCountyParks.org

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