2025 Speaker Series Kick Off | |
Kicking off our 2025 Speaker Series, our very own California Climate Action Corps Fellows delivered an engaging presentation on the critical connection between wildfires and climate change.
During the session, Aidan, Alena, Julie, and Melia shared valuable insights they've gained about the complex relationship between these two pressing issues. They also offered thoughtful strategies for coping with the emotional weight that often comes with tackling such challenges.
Attendees received a concise overview of the parallels between climate change and California's devastating wildfires, along with actionable steps to help build resilience, enhance preparedness, and foster a sense of community and hope.
If you missed the presentation or want to revisit it, the recording is available on our YouTube channel. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, reflect, and take action!
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Sonoma County Firewise 2024 Year in Review | |
Sonoma County is making remarkable progress in wildfire preparedness and community resilience through NFPA's Firewise USA® program. This nationally recognized initiative encourages neighborhoods to collaborate and take proactive steps to reduce wildfire risks.
In 2024, Firewise communities within Sonoma County made nearly $10 million in total investments. Firewise community investments refer to the collective efforts, time, and resources that residents and local organizations contribute to reduce wildfire risks and enhance community resilience. Examples of this include managing vegetation, hardening their homes, organizing workshop/training events for their community, and other volunteer contributions.
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The data on Sonoma County Firewise Communities' yearly investments from 2012 to 2024 reveals a dramatic upward trend in wildfire prevention efforts, particularly in recent years. From a modest $627K in 2012, investments have skyrocketed to an impressive $9.975 million in 2024—a staggering increase of over 1,490%. The most significant jump occurred between 2023 and 2024, with funding nearly tripling from $3.775 million to $9.975 million, a 164% increase in just one year. This surge suggests a growing recognition of wildfire risks and an increased commitment to fire prevention and safety initiatives. | |
Sonoma County closed out 2024 with 29 active Firewise communties, with more to come in 2025! As of 2022, Fire Safe Sonoma has been recognized by the CAL FIRE Firewise Representative, Chief Vargas, as the Firewise Regional Coordinator of Sonoma County. We are here to help your community with the application process and to continue to maintain your status as a Firewise Community in Good Standing. Please contact us if you are interested in starting a Firewise Community. | |
Wrapped Up: Fire Safe Sonoma's No Cost Defensible Space Project | |
In June 2024, Fire Safe Sonoma launched the No Cost Defensible Space Project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing wildfire resilience in Sonoma County. The project provided homeowners in high-risk areas with complimentary defensible space services, significantly improving community safety and preparedness.
The program was implemented in targeted communities, including Boyes Hot Springs and Cloverdale, where wildfire threats were particularly severe. Homeowners in these areas were invited to apply for the program, which offered up to $4,000 worth of defensible space work at no cost. Services included the removal of combustible vegetation and other critical fire mitigation measures designed to create a buffer zone around properties.
The initiative saw an overwhelming response, with numerous applications submitted before the closing of the application portal. Qualified participants benefited from expert assessments and hands-on assistance in creating defensible space, reducing potential fire hazards around their homes.
A key aspect of the project's success was its dual impact: not only did it enhance wildfire preparedness, but it also provided employment opportunities to underserved workers in the region. Workers were trained in wildfire mitigation techniques and earned family-sustaining wages.
As a result of the No Cost Defensible Space Project, Sonoma County communities became better prepared to face wildfire threats, fostering a culture of resilience and cooperation. The project highlighted the importance of collective action and the tangible benefits of wildfire prevention efforts. Take a look at some of the before and after photos that were collected during the project!
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A special thank you to North Bay Jobs with Justice, Resilience Force, Ecological Solutions, and Marshall Turbeville at Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District for being great partners and helping make this project happen. Also, thank you to those who applied and participated in this project. We hope to provide this kind of service again in the near future. | | |
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Learn & Burn (LAB) Days at Pepperwood
Date: Every 1st & 3rd Thursdays, and 2nd Saturdays from November-March
Time: TBD
Location: Pepperwood Preserve, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Rd. Santa Rosa, CA
Event Description: Learning and Burning (LAB) days provide hands-on fire experience and learning opportunities for the greater North Bay area. Activities will include broadcast burning, jackpot burning, pile burning, pile burn restoration, native grass restoration, fire ecology, hikes, and talks. The activity will be determined, by weather and other environmental conditions, the week of the LAB day.
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Grazing Strategies for Cities & Municipalities
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
Time: 2-3:30pm
Location: Webinar
Event Description: This webinar will highlight the City of Petaluma’s adoption of grazing as a vegetation management method for their city-owned properties. This event will discuss the costs, logistics, risks and benefits of using grazing animals on public lands.
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Bay Area UASI Community Preparedness Tabletop Exercise
Date: Thursday, January 30th, 2025
Time: 8am - 4pm PST
Location: Petaluma Community Center,
320 N McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94954
Event Description: Join community and emergency management partners for a tabletop exercise to discuss, assess, and explore how to bridge the gaps with public safety agencies in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
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Home Insurance Webinar
Date: Tuesday, February 11th, 2025
Time: 5pm - 6pm PST
Location: Webinar
Event Description: Navigating home insurance in wildfire-prone areas can be stressful. Join the St. Vrain Forest Health Partnership and The Watershed Center for a webinar with United Policyholders, a nonprofit dedicated to helping consumers. They'll cover how to secure and maintain coverage, understand your options, and identify key policy terms. The goal is to provide clear guidance and a supportive space to learn and ask questions.
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General Plan Sonoma Workshop
Date: Wednesday, February 19th 2025
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: In-person or Virtual
Event Description: Join Permit Sonoma at an upcoming virtual workshop to share your vision for the future of Sonoma County. The virtual workshop will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
Registration for the virtual workshop is required to receive the Zoom invite to attend.
Click the button below for in-person dates and times.
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Pests & Diseases that Affect Sonoma County's Forests
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: 747 Mendocino Ave # 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Event Description: The February meeting of the Sonoma County Forest Conservation Working Group will feature guest speaker Dr. Mike Jones, Forestry Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension. Mike's presentation will focus on pests & diseases that affect Sonoma County's forests.
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FSS Speaker Series
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 2pm-3pm
Location: Zoom
Event Description: This month we will hear from both Erika Lutz and Devyn Friedfel, who will discuss the fundamentals of prescribed burns and their role in fire management and ecosystem health. Click the button below to register. Our Speaker Series is every 4th Thursday of the month.
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Post-Fire Considerations
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time: 9am-1:30pm
Location: Online
Event Description: This online workshop provides landowners and land managers impacted by wildfire an opportunity to learn about land management considerations a few years after the fire. Topics include reforestation challenges and how to overcome them, why and how invasive species establish, how invasives affect reforestation, the use of herbicides, integrated pest management, and best management practices for roads
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Wildfire Resilience for Forested Communities in Eastern Sonoma County
Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Event Description: This in-person field workshop is an opportunity to learn about fuels management and wildfire resilience through the work of local communities within eastern Sonoma County.
More details are coming soon.
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Grazing and Range Management
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 9am-1:30pm
Location: Online
Event Description: This online workshop provides landowners and land managers an opportunity to learn to apply rangeland management fundamentals. Components of a management plan, including fuels management via grazing, types of grazing animals, weeds, soils, water quality, and funding resources will be discussed.
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Forest & Watershed Health, Gully Repair Techniques
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: 747 Mendocino Ave # 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Event Description: The March meeting of the Sonoma County Forest Conservation Working Group will feature guest speaker Brock Dolman, Co-Founder and Program Director, Occidental Arts & Ecology Center. Brock's presentation will focus on the intersection of forest and watershed health, gully repair, and the WATER Institute’s Bring Back the Beaver campaign.
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Grazing as a Tool for Ecological Benefit & Wildfire Resilience
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Event Description: This workshop will identify how we can use grazing as a tool to reduce or eliminate invasive non-native plants, improve ecological functions, and return our landscapes to a healthy fire ecosystem. We will also discuss how to collaborate with your neighbors, both public and private, to create sustainable solutions using grazing ruminants, for your land management. Learn from experts (organizations) and see grazing animals at work at the Laguna Uplands Preserve.
Stay tuned for more information.
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Opportunities & Resources | | |
The Climate Smart Communities Initiative is now accepting applications for grants to support community-led climate resilience efforts. The program targets U.S. communities, including Tribal nations, facing significant climate challenges. Eligible applicants include communities with fewer than 300,000 residents for local projects and up to 500,000 for regional initiatives. Full eligibility details and application guidelines are available on the program page. Applications are due by March 2025, with awards announced in summer 2025. | |  |
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is providing grants of up to $100,000 to support the creation of resilience hubs that aid recovery during extreme weather events, such as wildfires and PSPS events. Priority will be given to projects serving disadvantaged communities. Nonprofit and government organizations within PG&E's service area are encouraged to apply by January 31, 2025. | | |
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) is managing the Environmental Justice Action Grants Program, offering funding for various community-focused projects. These grants aim to support tribes, community-based organizations, and residents in areas such as emergency preparedness, public health protection, environmental and climate decision-making, and coordinated enforcement efforts. Round 2 applications are expected to open in January 2025, with reviews finalized by April 2025. | | |
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CCNB is looking for a Programs & Evaluation Analyst! The ideal candidate will be able to support organizational effectiveness by ensuring data integrity, conducting program evaluation, and providing actionable insights to enhance program performance.
The Analyst plays a key role in maintaining and improving CCNB's data processes, conducting regular audits, analyzing program outcomes, and developing detailed reports for internal and external stakeholders.
To learn more, and to apply, click here!
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