- TEAM Field Trips now open
- Welcome to the team, Colin!
- Funding Opportunities for Agricultural Producers
- Workshop Recap: Forest Health Management in the Wildland-Urban Intermix
- Sonoma County RCDs Accepting Applications to Fund Conservation Practices
- Support Mill Creek Flow Through Rainwater Catchment & Forbearance
- Lots of upcoming partner events, resources & activities
| | |
|
Join us for a TEAM Field Trip this fall!
School is back in session, and we are excited to announce that applications are now open for our TEAM (Teaching Environmental and Agricultural Memories) program this fall at Open Field Farm in Petaluma! This program offers students a unique opportunity to explore the world of pollinators and the food web. Classes will visit the CSA barn to gain insight into the community's connection with the farm and enjoy tasting the harvest. Additionally, students will go on a guided walking tour to meet the farm animals and learn about the James Family's innovative farming methods and soil health practices.
To learn more or submit applications please contact Maria Wnorowski, Community Engagement Program Manager, at mwnorowski@sonomarcd.org.
We offer financial assistance for transportation. Please complete the transportation waiver in addition to the field trip application.
This program is FREE thanks to the voters of Sonoma County approving a 1/4 cent sales tax to fund the work of the Ag + Open Space District.
| | |
|
Welcome Colin to the RCD Team!
We are thrilled to welcome Colin Nicol as our new Water Resources Project Manager. Colin has over a decade of experience in river restoration, salmon ecology, and fluvial geomorphology. He earned his B.S. in Environmental Management with a concentration in hydrology from Cal Poly’s School of Forestry and also holds a M.S. in Watershed Science from CSU Monterey Bay. Colin has worked for NOAA Fisheries Science Centers in Santa Cruz and Seattle, researching salmon habitat restoration prioritization and response, population monitoring, and life cycle modeling. Before joining the Sonoma RCD team, he worked on fish passages and stream restoration projects for the heavy civil team at an engineering design firm based in Puget Sound. Colin now lives near Occidental on a property that has been in his family for five generations. He is excited to continue a legacy of land stewardship in Sonoma County. On the weekends, Colin can be found with his wife and dog spending time outdoors or working on their property.
| | |
|
Funding Opportunities for Agricultural Producers
Our agriculture team is dedicated to helping producers and landowners enhance soil health, sequester carbon, and improve agricultural production while protecting and enhancing natural resources! We provide support in planning, designing, identifying funding sources, and implementing a range of climate-smart projects. Our team offers technical assistance, including on-farm consultations to discuss practices like carbon farming, soil health, composting, cover crops, reduced tillage, planting hedgerows, planting riparian buffers and more. We are also available to discuss these topics via email or phone.
There are several funding sources available for implementing these practices, including grants and cost-shares. These opportunities vary, with different organizations offering various amounts of funding, types of practices funded, and conditions for participation. Many programs have specific deadlines, so staying informed is crucial.
One major cost-share opportunity is the USDA NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which accepts applications on a rolling basis at their Petaluma office for individuals in our district. Producers who have participated in the EQIP program and completed their contracts may be eligible for continued funding to support ongoing implementation through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
We have partnered with Gold Ridge RCD to create an interest form for producers who are interested in planning and implementing climate-beneficial practices. By filling out this form, you’ll provide us with valuable information about your agricultural operation and areas of interest, allowing us to connect you more efficiently with available funding opportunities. Click here to sign up in English or Spanish.
Contact Keith Abeles, Soil and Water Specialist, at kabeles@sonomarcd.org to learn more!
| | |
|
Forest Health Management in the Wildland-Urban Interface
Last month, Genevieve Tarino our Forestry Project Manager, participated in a Forest Health Management workshop at Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF). The workshop educated practitioners on various management options and tools and how they impact forest health in the wildland-urban interface (WUI).
The workshop included visits to multiple demonstration sites within the forest. In addition, guest speakers presented on topics including fire safety, forest health research at JDSF, the relationship between control burning stewardship and restoration, disturbance-dependent ecosystem intervention, air quality management for prescribed burns, and more.
Thank you, Genevieve, for representing the RCD at this workshop and for expanding your wealth of knowledge to better serve our forest landowners!
| | |
|
|
Share Your Grocery Shopping Values
The Sonoma Marin Agriculture County Climate Coalition is partnering with the USDA to support small businesses, local food, and climate solutions on the ground.
As a first step, the Coalition has developed a quick survey to gain insight into agriculture in the North Bay Area and we need your input on your grocery shopping values. Please take 5-7 minutes to complete our brief survey and share what’s most important to you when choosing food. Your feedback will help us build a more transparent, sustainable food system for our community.
| | |
|
|
Sonoma County RCDs Accepting Applications to Fund Conservation Practices
Sonoma and Gold Ridge RCDs are accepting applications to fund conservation projects for local socially disadvantaged and historically underserved farmers and ranchers. Some project ideas include cover crops, grazing, compost application, hedgerow installation, and many more!
If you have any questions, please reach out to:
Sonoma RCD contact: Anya Starovoytov, Agricultural Program Director, astarovoytov@sonomarcd.org
Gold Ridge RCD contact: Emma Wood, Climate and Agriculture Resilience Fellow, emma@goldridgercd.org
| | |
|
Voluntary Well Monitoring Program
We are seeking property owners with wells in Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley, and Petaluma Valley to participate in a local voluntary groundwater well monitoring program. The goal of this program is to have a more comprehensive understanding of groundwater levels in our local groundwater basins.
There was an informational webinar on August 19th that reviewed some of the key components of the program. If you missed it or would like to rewatch it, you can find the recording here.
| | |
|
Support Mill Creek Flow Through Rainwater Catchment & Forbearance
We are excited to collaborate with landowners in the Mill Creek Watershed to implement rainwater storage systems. This initiative is made possible through funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board and in partnership with Trout Unlimited. Our objective is to capture rainwater during the wet season, store it, and utilize it during dry periods. This helps maintain essential water levels to support diverse aquatic life, including local salmonid populations! Mill Creek plays a vital role as a lifeline for these species.
To sign up or learn more, reach out to Colin Nicol, Water Resources Program Manager, at cnicol@sonomarcd.org.
| | |
|
California Biodiversity Day
Saturday, Sept. 7th
Did you know that September 7th is California Biodiversity Day?! It is a day dedicated to celebrating and learning about the important native species that make up our local ecosystems. There is a wide variety of events happening both locally and state-wide to help everyone celebrate. Events will take place throughout the month, with most taking place from September 7-15th.
To celebrate, the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society will be hosting a guided nature walk on Saturday September 14th at The Neighborwood (Roseland Creek Park), 1152 McMinn Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA. View the event information here.
| | |
|
Soil Testing for Organic Dairies
North Coast Soil Hub and Partners
Thursday, Sept. 12th
9 am - 1 pm
FREE to attend!
Lavio Ranch
4990 D Street, Petaluma, CA, 92952
Join UCCE, NRCS, North Coast Soil Hub, and UC Organic Agriculture Institute for a workshop on soil testing. It will cover the why, what, where, when, and how for dairies using organic management strategies. It will provide practical skills, knowledge, and resources to assist in soil testing! Sign up here by Friday, Sept. 6th!
| | |
|
Post-Fire Forest Resilience Workshop
UCCE, CARCD, USDA, and NRCS
Thursday, Sept. 19th- Oct. 17th
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
$25 which includes materials & lunch on the field trip
Weekly on Zoom
This workshop is for any private landowner who is interested in learning more about post-fire forest management. Participants will learn from regional, local and expert speakers on a wide array of topics, with opportunities for discussions and Q/A.
It will include a series of online workshops and conclude with an in-person field trip on October 19th!
| | |
|
Petaluma River Clean Up
Friends of the Petaluma River
Saturday, Sept. 21st
9 am - 1 pm
FREE to volunteer!
Sign up to participate in a celebration of the California Coastal Cleanup Day! Bring the family to volunteer and stay to enjoy the BBQ, live music, and raffle! Stop by the Sonoma RCD booth to say hi and learn more about our programs! Don't forget to bring your water bottle.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Stephanie from Friends of Petaluma River at stephanie@friendsofthepetalumariver.org
| | |
|
Resilient Landscaping Workshop
Resilient Landscapes Coalition & Daily Acts
Saturday, Sept. 21st
10 am to 12:30 pm
FREE to attend
Ver información del evento en español aquí.
| | |
|
2024 Petaluma Youth Ag Day
Sonoma-Marin Fair
Friday, September 27th
8:45 am to 12:30 pm
Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds
175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma, CA
We are excited to participate in the 22nd annual Youth Ag Day! We will have a booth highlighting our education programs as well as helping students, siblings, teachers, and parents see the importance of conservation work within agriculture. If your school is attending, come by to say hi!
| | |
|
2024 Harvest Festival
LandPaths
Saturday, Sept. 28th
10 am - 2 pm
FREE to attend!
1550 West Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
Join Bayer Farm and the LandPaths team to celebrate the harvest season! The festival will include local bands, tortilla making, a grape stomp, dance performances, and more!
| | |
|
Irrigation Sensor Focus Group
UCCE, CAFF and Sonoma RCD
Wednesday, Oct. 9th
FREE to attend!
1720 Cooper Road, Sebastopol, CA
UCCE is hosting an in-person focus group on DIY water sensors for sustainable irrigation management. This hands-on event is tailored for small and mid-size specialty crop growers. Both we and CAFF will be there to share information about our programs, including the GSA well-monitoring initiative! Sign up here.
| | |
|
2024 Gravenstein Apple Fair
Did you miss the Gravenstein Apple Fair? Take a quick look at what makes this celebration so special and the local heritage of the Gravenstein Apple. This year's highlights included: CAFF's potato sack and piglet races, small engine demos, bee pollinator booth, Slow Food's apple juice pressing booth, mariachi music, farm animals, and many more hands-on agriculture exhibits. Be sure to save the date for the 2025 Apple Blossom Festival and Gravenstein Apple Fair! For more Farm Trails hosted events check their website!
| |
Conservation at Work with LandSmart®
| | | | |
