As 2018 began, Sonoma Valley faced a year of challenges — of rebuilding, rebirth and renewal. Now the year is drawing to a close, and we’re glad to take a moment and reflect on all that we’ve accomplished with the help of friends, neighbors, volunteers and donors. We’re also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities of 2019 — including erosion, smarter and more resilient rebuilding and landscaping, and the future of SDC. With your support, we’ll get it done, and much more. Let’s move our community forward, together.
Upcoming Events
Enjoy some fungi fun with local expert, George Riner. Fungi are masters at opportunity. Even after a fire, the spores are in the air and find an environment where the local fungal species – i.e. competition – have been greatly reduced. These may show themselves in ways you may not imagine.
This hike is limited to 40 guests. Be prepared for 2 miles of walking over moderate terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center. $10 per person, parking fees apply.
On the fourth Saturday of every month, the Nathanson Stewards meet at the corner of East MacArthur and Second Street East, put on their gloves, and have a fun and productive morning tending the native garden located there.
This event is guided by trained restoration technicians from Sonoma Ecology Center, with a focus on native gardening and landscaping. The subject matter will vary with the seasons, and our technicians will demonstrate proper techniques for caring for the different native plants located within the Nathanson garden. Volunteers are asked to bring sunscreen or a hat, bottled water, a sack lunch and work gloves, and to wear closed-toed shoes. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
We’ll meet at the Nathanson Creek Preserve Garden located on the corner of East MacArthur Street and Second Street East in Sonoma. Activities may include:
- Weeding
- Trash pick-up
- Getting to know your neighbors
- Learning about native plants
- Sharing a sack lunch
- Connecting with nature at your local park
For questions or to express interest, please email nathansonstewards@gmail.com or patrick@sonomaecologycenter.org.
Need some extra time to clean up after the big day? Or just get the kids out of the house over winter break? We’ve got you covered at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park with our upcoming Day Camp. Join the Sugarloaf Staff and SEC Education staff for a day of fun, learning, and outdoor activity.
Based on our summer Creek Camp, we plan on having a nature hike and learning about the creatures of the park. And we will end the day with s’mores and hot chocolate around a campfire. The camp will be based out of the Visitors Center. Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $40, or $20 for Sugarloaf members or for a second child from the same family. For ages 7 to 12.
Visit our partner websites – Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Sonoma Garden Park and Sustainable Sonoma
Project Story Map
Click on the image below for an interactive map showing our projects in Sonoma Valley.
Sign the SDC Petition
Sonoma Developmental Center is preparing for final closure after 127 years of operation. Please sign the petition urging Gov. Jerry Brown to protect this large swath of crucial open space located in the heart of Sonoma Valley.
Read our 2018 Impact Report
Click on the image for a pdf version.
Smarter Landscaping
Click on the image below for a pdf version of our brochure on fire smart, water wise and wildlife friendly landscaping.
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The Ecology Blog: What’s Happening in Sonoma Valley
Survey Results Offer Snapshot of Valley Priorities
Sustainable Sonoma was formed to take action on solutions to our community’s biggest challenges. First we have to know what the community’s top priorities are – and to that end a Valley-wide survey was conducted by Sustainable Sonoma over several months. Now the...
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Oslo Event Puts Biochar in Spotlight
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Sorrowful, Determined, Thankful
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Fogbow in the Hills
When there's fog in the Valley, the boundary where sun and fog meet often creates interesting tricks of light, like this fogbow seen up in the hills on Thursday morning. Fogbows are formed by the same light-scattering process as rainbows. But fog is made up of much...
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