We Are Near Average Rainfall This Year
Nathanson Creek Detention Basin after the storm on January 9, 2023.Good news as a result of these recent storms! Given the current trajectory, we may be coming out of the drought here in Sonoma County. Sonoma Ecology Center Senior Scientist, Steven Lee, is optimistic...
A Successful Biochar Demonstration in Napa | Una Exitosa Demostración de Biocarbón en Napa
SEC Restoration technicians Alex Kaste and Kurtis McIntyer carrying out a conservation burn — a special method of burning that reduces smoke pollution and produces biochar at the Conservation Burn and Burn Alternatives Workshop. Técnicos de Restauración con SEC Alex...
Sonoma Ecology Center Receives the CALPA Award For Our Inclusive Programming | Sonoma Ecology Center Receive el Reconocimiento de CALPA Por Nuestros Esfuerzos de Inclusividad
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park’s staff with the CALPA Award Prize.Personal de Sonoma Ecology Center en Sugarloaf con el trofeo por el reconocimiento de CALPASonoma Ecology Center was awarded Park Partner of the Year at this year's California League of Park Associations...
SEC Plans and Installs a Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration Project at Flowery Elementary School
One view of the completed rainwater capture system at Flowery Elementary School.Sonoma Ecology Center is working with the community to adapt to historic drought conditions. We are delighted to announce that we have completed a rainwater harvesting system at Flowery...
SDC Specific Plan Update
The Sonoma Developmental Center campus Starting with the establishment of the County's first recognized wildlife corridor across the Sonoma Developmental Center in 1998, and the eventual transfer of 600 acres of SDC's open space lands to Jack London State Historic...
Fall and Winter Garden Maintenance
By Jon Nord Kanagy A great transition is afoot in our gardens as frosts prompt many species to drop their leaves, and moisture from the recent rains cause other plants to grow and allow seeds to germinate. It continues to be a great time to install new plants, and...
Climate Watch: New Climate Column from Sonoma Ecology Center
This post was originally published in the Sonoma Index-Tribune Climate Column on November 3, 2022. The Sonoma Ecology Center is excited to share our voice on this new, monthly Climate Column. By Richard Dale A friend in Sonoma noted that last year, when the actor...
Watershed Education Program Returns to Fully In-Person Instruction for 2022-2023! | ¡El programa de educación de la cuenca hidrográfica regresa en persona a las escuelas durante el 2022-2023!
First field trip of the year: Sassarini Elementary 5th graders attending our Water Wonders field trip at Sugarloaf Park this September. The group hiked down to the waterfall, discussing watershed-related topics including the headwaters, water quality,...
Fall Planning for the Native Landscape | Planeando en el otoño para el jardín o paisaje nativo
By Jon Nord Kanagy The passing of the recent heat wave, a harvest moon, and the approaching autumnal equinox all have us looking toward shorter, cooler days and additional fall rains. These conditions, coupled with soil that continues to hold some summer heat, combine...
Sonoma Ecology Center Earthling Faline Howard Honored by City of Sonoma’s Mayor for Monarch Butterflies Restoration Project!
From left to right: Suzanne Clarke, master gardener and founder of the Sonoma County Butterfly Alliance, Cindy Lindh, project advisor, Linn Howard, Feline’s mother, Girl Scout Faline Howard, City of Sonoma Jack Ding, and Jonny Ehlers, Sonoma County Ecology Center...
Tips from Sonoma Ecology Center Staff on Staying Safe and Cool in High Heat
High temperatures can be very hard on nature and people. Many organisms suffer when things get hot, as the temperature has this week and will increasingly as the climate warms. Adapting to changes, like increased number of days with high heat, will be key for people...
Volunteer Highlight: Critter Cam Crew | Enfoque en voluntarios: el proyecto “Critter Cam”
Meet Guy Miller and Sierra Winter: Critter Cam Crew VolunteersIntroduciendo a Guy Miller y Sierra Winter, voluntarios con el equipo de cámaras de la vida salvaje Sugarloaf's Critter Cam Project is a volunteer supported network of 41 cameras tracking and recording...
Wildfire Risks Along North Bay Creeks
Creeks in some settings act as barriers to wildfires, with flowing water, moist soils, and shady groves of trees. However, riparian (creekside) vegetation can also provide an avenue for rapid spread of fires owing to dense vegetation, infestations of invasive...
Why We Cancelled our Annual Prescribed Burn at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve
There are many factors at play when determining whether a prescribed burn moves forward or not. A team of collaborators is in a state of constant assessment of temperature, humidity, site preparedness, wind speed, availability of personnel and equipment, and much...
Opening a Can of Worms on Compost at Sonoma Garden Park
Jonny Ehlers knows when you talk about composting you're opening a whole can of worms - both figuratively and literally. “Once we start unraveling the benefits of creating our own soil, it connects to everything, truly everything,” says Ehlers, laughing, “compost and...
Earth Day 2022 | Día de la tierra, 2022
Earth Day 2022 | Día de la tierra, 2022There’s a soft greenness over our corner of the world this time of year, a flush of life in the grasses now in seed and the late wildflowers, a ripeness that heralds a turn of seasons from spring to summer. If I could make a wish...
Sonoma Ecology Center Earthlings Call for New Members!
The Sonoma Ecology Center Earthlings Club is open for new members for Spring! The SEC Earthlings club was begun by a group of teens with a goal to fuel positive climate action from the youth of Sonoma Valley. The club has since evolved to welcome members of all ages...
Staff Highlight: Ross Adams, Restoration Project Manager
Meet Ross Adams: Restoration Project ManagerRoss Adams has helped support and lead our restoration crew through a wide variety of projects over the past year with Sonoma Ecology Center. Whether it's pulling broom or wielding a chain saw we're grateful to have such...
Sonoma’s Drought Questions Answered
We’ve heard from many community members wanting to know about current water supply levels, what to expect in the months to come, and what implications drought years might have on the environment and our daily lives. With all this in mind, we turned to our Senior...
Kenwood Marsh Checkerbloom Stewardship Day
On a cool February morning, a joint team of eight from Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) Restoration, SEC Research, and biologists from CDFW Native Plant Program came together in the Kenwood Marsh to help save a very special plant, the Kenwood Marsh Checkerbloom (commonly...