It’s been a long summer of extreme drought conditions in Sonoma Valley. In what seems like a steady stream of dire news for our watershed one glimmer of good news stands out: beavers are moving back into Sonoma Creek. The return of these charming dam builders isn’t...
Over the course of just one month we’re observing intensifying conditions in our creeks. As we enter the month of September we’re feeling that familiar warm weather typical of late summer in the San Francisco Bay Area. These hot end of season days are making...
An example of a local home following fire smart, water wise and wildlife friendly principles. It is hard to believe that we’re only part way through the 2021 fire season. In years past we’ve seen smoky skies come our way as late as October or November (or not at all)...
We are now in the worst drought in more than four decades. Mature oak trees are cracking and falling over, and reservoirs are drying up. Water agencies throughout Sonoma County have, or are considering water rationing. It’s time to rethink how we use water, especially...
The warm, sunny days we have been enjoying the last several weeks are delightful, but we shouldn’t be enjoying so many of them at this point in what should be our rainy season. “This year is shaping up to be one of the driest on record in our region, with over 50% of...
By Research Program Manager, Steve Lee, pictured here on his Glen Ellen property with three of the 5,000 gallon tanks designed to capture and hold rainwater. Photo: Sonoma Index Tribune. Sonoma Creek is a critically important stream for steelhead in the San Francisco...
