- Hands-On Restoration: Learning Natural Solutions for Streambank Erosion
- Expanding Rainwater Harvesting Expertise in Sonoma County
- Strengthening Our Team to Better Serve Our Community
- Federal Freeze Update
- Building Resilience: Insights from the North Coast Resource Partnership Gathering
- Laguna Watershed Learning with FARMS Leadership
- Enjoying the Sun at the Steelhead Festival
- Plus jobs, events, surveys, and more!
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Hands-On Restoration: Learning Natural Solutions for Streambank Erosion
At the end of January, several of our team members joined Marin RCD for a streambank restoration project at Gallagher Ranch, a Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) conservation easement protected farm. The ranch owners are dedicated to sustainable land management, and after the recent heavy rains, they noticed significant erosion on a streambank on Lagunitas Creek. After reaching out to Marin RCD, this presented a great opportunity to bring together technical staff to learn and implement low-cost, natural restoration methods.
Members of our team joined Marin RCD and MALT staff to harvest, bundle, and stake willows, assembling them into fascines and willow walls. Fascines are bundles of live willow branches placed along eroding streambanks to stabilize soil, reduce erosion, slow streamflow, and promote new plant growth. Willow walls are created by weaving live willow branches between stakes driven into the ground. As the branches take root and grow, they help hold the soil in place while also providing habitat benefits.
While the work can be time-intensive, it is low-cost and relies almost entirely on natural materials. These structures help prevent soil from washing into the creek and encourage willow growth. Once established, willows are extremely effective at preventing erosion due to their deep, stabilizing root systems. They also benefit the ecosystem by providing shade, cover, and a food source for salmonids. Insects that live on willow branches eventually fall into the creek, serving as an important food source for fish.
Overall, it was a great opportunity to engage in hands-on learning about practical restoration techniques we can share with our community while also building relationships with fellow natural resource leaders. Plus, everyone loves some sunshine!
Interested in learning more? Check out some great resources below:
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Expanding Rainwater Harvesting Expertise in Sonoma County
Earlier this month, Jessica Pollitz, our Engineer, co-led a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL): Rainwater Training Program to educate 14 local landscape professionals, plus two RCD staff members, on best practices of rainwater catchment design and tank installation. This training was part of a broader program to increase rainwater storage capacity throughout the county. By equipping more landscape professionals with these skills, we aim to make rainwater tank installation easier, more affordable, and more accessible across the region. With more trained rainwater practitioners, we hope to see a growing number of homeowners and businesses investing in rainwater catchment systems.
On the final day of training, participants successfully installed a 2,600 gallon rainwater tank at Woodside West School. After two days of classroom instruction, this hands-on project allowed them to put their knowledge to the test. Lead instructor Jessica reflected, "What stuck with me is how much we could get done in just one day. We built an entire rainwater system, and everyone was so engaged! The hands-on experience really made a difference. I hope it was inspiring for participants to see the full process come together and realize how attainable it is—whether for their own backyard or their clients."
The newly installed tank at Woodside West School will serve as a living example of sustainable water conservation for students, teachers, and parents. It will also be used to irrigate a native plant garden during the dry, summer months.
This was our second QWEL workshop, with the first held last winter. Looking ahead, we hope to organize a Spanish-language training if we can secure funding! This training was funded by the California Department of Water Resources through Proposition 1 and the Sonoma County Climate Resilience Grant, organized by the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and Gold Ridge RCD, and co-led by Sherwood Design Engineers and Alt Water Systems, whose expertise helped make the project a success.
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Strengthening Our Team to Better Serve Our Community
At the end of last month, our staff gathered for a retreat focused on teamwork, leadership, and collaboration. As part of the retreat, we took the Birkman Assessment, a tool that helps individuals and teams better understand their strengths, communication styles, and work dynamics.
Throughout the day, we explored how our diverse personalities contribute to a stronger, more effective team. By gaining deeper insight into each other’s strengths, we left feeling refreshed, encouraged, and motivated to continue our work in conservation with renewed energy and connection.
A big thank you to Kerry Elkind from The Elkind Group for facilitating this enriching experience. The unique talents and perspectives of each of our team members are what makes the conservation work such a wonderful space to be a part of!
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Building Connections for Sustainable Agriculture: Insights from the CFDN Gathering & EcoFarm Conference | |
Anya, our Agricultural Program Director, had the opportunity to join fellow RCD staff, technical assistance providers, University of California researchers, and Cooperative Extension staff at the California Farm Demonstration Network (CFDN) Gathering on January 21, 2025. CFDN is a statewide effort to establish a network of on-farm trials and facilitate resource and knowledge sharing among agricultural producers, technical service providers, and researchers. This gathering helped strengthen connections among participating organizations, refine a shared vision for the future, and set key action items for the year ahead.
One highlight was a panel featuring our very own North Coast Soil Hub Director, Emilie Winfield, who shared insights on the newly established regional soil hubs across the state and their role in supporting farmer engagement and technical assistance.
The CFDN Gathering was strategically scheduled alongside the annual EcoFarm Conference, a dynamic event featuring discussions on eco-friendly farming practices, regenerative ranching, small farm advocacy, and farmworker rights. I attended a range of inspiring sessions, including a panel of female ranchers, several talks on soil microbial shifts under different farm management practices, and discussions on integrating livestock into vineyards. One session also explored the overlooked benefits of small farms.
Both events were incredibly motivating, highlighting the voices of farmers who are balancing their bottom line with environmental stewardship. It was a great reminder of the power of collaboration in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture!
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Sonoma RCD is monitoring our awarded federal grants that are paused and/or threatened by recent Executive Orders and policies of the new Federal Administration. We have ceased work or paused activity on most of our conservation projects funded by federal direct and pass-through awards while we await further clarity from our agency partners. Statewide, RCDs are at risk of losing over $113M in awarded federal grant contracts supporting forest health and fuels reduction, agricultural best management practices, fisheries and watershed restoration projects, and projects supporting community adaptation in the face of future natural disasters. The California Association of RCDs is gathering information about the on the ground impacts of this freeze from districts across California in order to advocate to federal representatives and officials as well as state leadership. Thank you for your continued support of the RCD and natural resource conservation across our agricultural, forested, and open space lands in Sonoma County. | | |
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Director of Finance & Adminstration
The Director of Finance & Administration (DF&A) manages the RCD’s financial, human resources, and administrative functions to ensure the district meets its mission and strategic goals. This hands-on leadership role involves overseeing a team and working closely with the Executive Director, leadership team, and Board of Directors. The position is part of a succession plan, offering mentorship from the current DF&A for the new hire.
This is a full time position with a starting compensation range of $115,000 to $125,000 per year. It is based in Sonoma County with a partial remote work option. It will remain open until filled.
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Building Resilience: Insights from the North Coast Resource Partnership Gathering | |
The North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) is a long-term, innovative and successful collaboration among Northern California Tribes, counties, and diverse stakeholders – one that we are proud to be a part of. On January 29 and 30, NCRP hosted a Climate Resilience in the North Coast of California conference, which was generously hosted and sponsored by the Graton Rancheria. The event hosted over 400 participants and showed conservation and climate resilience efforts across Northern California, bringing together organizations working to protect and restore our natural resources.
Six of our staff members and one board member attended, and we co-hosted a table alongside Napa RCD to share our resources and ongoing projects with attendees. One staff member reflected on the conference, saying, “What stood out to me was how much of the event centered on Indigenous perspectives, experiences, and leadership in climate resilience. It was inspiring to hear from people who have dedicated their lives to this work. I left feeling hopeful because we heard so many stories of resilience—showing that with persistent care, these systems can thrive.
One of the most impactful discussions was the Tribal Leadership in Climate Resilience panel, where panelists shared how projects have prioritized Tribal partnerships and traditional ecological knowledge. Margo Robbins, from the Cultural Fire Council, spoke about their work advocating for cultural fire and how it strengthens both ecosystems and intergenerational learning. Javier Silva, NRCP Technical Assistance Coordinator, highlighted efforts to manage, protect, and restore forests of Bull kelp and giant kelp – critical food for abalone recovery.
Another staff member shared, “Having every sector impacted by and working on climate resilience in the same room was energizing. The event fostered important conversations on how we can collaborate across disciplines to create lasting change.” One team member described their experience, “Attending the NCRP 2025 conference allowed me to connect with experts and peers, learn about the latest conservation and climate resilience efforts, and discover new strategies that will directly improve my work in sustaining and enhancing forest ecosystems. It was powerful to be among so many dedicated professionals who share my values.”
This event was a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen relationships, and gain inspiration for the work ahead. We’re grateful to the NCRP, the Graton Rancheria, and all the speakers and attendees for making it such a meaningful gathering.
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Laguna Watershed Learning with FARMS Leadership | |
In January, our FARMS Leadership cohort spent a full day learning about the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed, diving into its cultural, historical, and ecological significance.
We started off the day at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, where students heard from their education team about the unique role the Laguna plays as a flood plain during winter months, turning it into critical habitat for many local species. Our students were led by past Sonoma FARMS Alumna and current Environmental Education Assistant, Chloe Winsemius, on a tour of their native plant greenhouse. Students also learned about the native wetland tule plant that thrives in the Laguna and has been used by tribes for thousands of years. They tested out their tule craftsmanship by creating bittern birds to bring home with them!
To further explore the Laguna Watershed, we toured the City of Santa Rosa's Laguna Water Treatment Plant. Students saw firsthand how wastewater is turned into recycled water. Students were amazed at the complexity of watershed systems and inspired to do their part in contributing to healthy watersheds and ecosystems.
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Enjoying the Sun at the Steelhead Festival
| This month some of our team members tabled at the annual Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival. After a few weeks of wet days, the sun came out and created a fun family event! Our team educated individuals of all ages with our engaging watershed model. Through our watershed model, we got to teach people how everything and everyone is interconnected. This showed how important it is to take care of our watersheds, and ecosystems, from the small amphibians to the large mammals! We had a blast and cannot wait to go back again next year to continue showcasing families the importance of our natural resources and our role as stewards of the land. | | |
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Post-Fire Considerations Online Workshop
Saturday, March 1
9:00 am to 1:30 pm
FREE
Zoom Workshop
We are hosting an online workshop in partnership with Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, Resilient Landscape Coalition, and Sonoma County Ag + Open Space on Post-Fire Considerations. The highlighted speaker is Heather Morrison, who is a Registered Professional Forester, Pest Control Advisor, and Certified Botanist. Sign up here!
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North Bay Science Discovery Day
Saturday, March 8
10 am - 4 pm
FREE
1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Come on by to the annual North Bay Science Discovery Day where there will be learning for all ages! We will be tabling with our watershed model and learning about the importance of healthy forested lands. This event is free and for the whole family. This is an event you won't want to miss if you are a science lover and a hands-on learner. See you there!
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Field Workshop: Wildfire Resilience for Communities in East Sonoma County
Saturday, March 8
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Cal Poly's Fuels and Vegetation Education Program will be leading a field-based training in the central Mayacamas Mountains. Our own Genevieve Tarino, Forestry Project Manager will overview cost-share programs, including NBFIP, CFIP, and EQIP. Sign up here.
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Sonoma County Ag Days
Sonoma County Farm Bureau
Tuesday, March 11 and 12
9 am -12 pm
FREE
1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Are you a teacher attending the upcoming Ag Days? Swing by the Sonoma RCD booth where we will be learning about all things agriculture with the help of our watershed model. To add on to the fun, you can also visit our FARMS Leadership booth led by Amarosa Academy where they will be pressing apples and teaching about the apple heritage to Sonoma County. We can't wait to interact with you all!
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North Coast Soil Symposium: Resilience from the Ground Up
North Coast Soil Hub
March 12- April 2
The 5th Annual North Coast Soil Symposium is an opportunity to build community around advancing knowledge of soil health, learn from the experiences and successes of local farmers and ranchers, explore region-specific research, and connect with industry leaders. Tailored to the diverse agricultural systems of the North Coast, the events will feature on-the-ground projects and practical strategies to build on-farm climate resilience. Don’t miss this opportunity to gather in person, share knowledge, and strengthen our agricultural community!
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Grazing & Range Management Online Workshop
Saturday, March 15th
9:00 am to 1:30 pm
FREE
Zoom Workshop
We are hosting an online Grazing and Range Management Workshop with Roxanne Foss, who is a Senior Ecologist and Certified Rangeland Manager. She will focus on how to implement an array of fuels management strategies. Sign up here.
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SEEC Career Expo
Digging into Environmental Futures
Saturday, March 15
10 am - 2 pm
FREE
509 Adams St., Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Are you a young individual (14-25) interested in the environmental field? Join SEEC for the annual Career Expo where you can hear from current industry professionals and their experiences, visit with local tabling organizations full of opportunities, get assistance with resume building and job interviews, and take a professional headshot. Our very own Fatima Burhan will be on the panel! In addition to the above there will also be a raffle and FREE breakfast and lunch.
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Water Quality Board Comment Period
The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) is accepting comments on the proposed Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Grazing Operations in the North San Francisco Bay Region (Napa River, Sonoma Creek, Petaluma River, and Tomales Bay watersheds, and all grazing operations in Point Reyes National Seashore).
The proposed Conditional Waiver and its attachments are available here. Comments on the proposed Conditional Waiver will be accepted until 5:00 PM on March 24, 2025.
The Water Board will hold a public hearing on May 14, 2025, to consider adoption of the proposed Conditional Waiver.
Questions and comments may be directed to René Leclerc at (510) 622-2410 (Rene.Leclerc@waterboards.ca.gov).
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Grazing for Ecological Benefit & Wildfire Resilience
Saturday, March 29th
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Heron Hall
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA
Join LandSmart, Ag + Open Space, and Gold Ridge and Sonoma RCDs, and the Laguna Foundation to hear from Wild Oat Hollow’s Founder, Sarah Keiser and Grazier Paige Lynn Trotter of Coastal Land and Livestock. Learn how grazing can be used as a mechanism for ecological benefit and the grazing cooperatives that are being formed right here in Sonoma County.
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Salud del Suelo y Evaluación de Irrigación en Viñedos/Soil Health and Irrigation Management in Vineyards
Sonoma RCD
Abril 1/April 1st
Shone Farm
7450 Steve Olson Ln, Forestville, CA 95436
GRATIS/FREE
Un taller práctico de día completo que cubrira las mejores practicas de riego eficiente y mantenimiento de agua. Este taller es diseñado para trabajadores del fil y agricultores hispanohablantes.
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A full-day, hands-on workshop covering best practices for irrigation efficiency and water management, designed for Spanish-speaking growers and farmworkers.
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North Coast Soil Symposium: Hedgerow Tour
Sonoma RCD + North Coast Soil Hub
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Ridge Vineyards
650 Lytton Springs Rd, Healdsburg, CA 95448
FREE
Join Sonoma RCD and Ridge Vineyards for a tour of hedgerow projects that provide habitat for pollinators, pest predators, and wildlife in the vineyard. Participants will learn about the multiple benefits of hedgerows, and how they can serve as a valuable part of the overall farm management system.
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Conservation at Work with LandSmart®
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