Notes From the Field: Watershed Update from SEC’s Senior Scientist, Steven Lee
When he's not leading watershed health monitoring, conducting sediment analysis, and penning research reports, Sonoma Ecology Center Senior Scientist and Research Program Manager Steven Lee (left) can be found rolling up his sleeves and removing debris from our local...
Meet Sonoma Ecology Center’s GrizzlyCorps Fellow, Faith Shortridge
Sonoma Ecology Center's new GrizzlyCorps Fellow, Faith Shortridge, at the Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve, a University of California natural reserve on the central coast where she studied Monterey pines.Sonoma Ecology Center is excited to introduce Faith...
Just Because School is Back in Session, Doesn’t Mean the Adventures Have to End!
Photo by Kristen RussellIt’s a busy season, with back to school and back to a full load of schedules and activities, but Daylight Savings doesn’t end until November 2nd, so there’s still plenty of time left to take advantage of Sonoma’s beautiful long evenings. Enjoy...
Educators Prepare for Back to School Season with Gear Lending Library Training, Expanding Outdoor Access for Sonoma Valley Youth
Left to right: Tony Passantino (Sonoma Ecology Center), Emma Melendy (Sonoma Ecology Center), Dana Ngo (Teravana), Erik Sorensen (Teravana), Destiny Teasley (Teravana), Carlos Rivas (Sonoma Land Trust), and Rachel Halloway (Sugarloaf Ridge State Park) gather at...
Summer Camp 2025 Wrap-Up: How Mentorship Shapes the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
Photo by Austin Noble At Sonoma Ecology Center’s Summer Science Camps, mentorship doesn’t just happen—it thrives amidst storytelling, creek explorations, and STEAM projects like making sundials and nature journaling. With campers spanning four to five years in age...
Sonoma Ecology Center Welcomes New Board Members Donna Dambach and Eric McHenry
Sonoma Ecology Center welcomes two new Board Members, Donna Dambach (left) and Eric McHenry (right). On Monday, August 5, Sonoma Ecology Center welcomed two accomplished and deeply committed community leaders—Donna Dambach and Eric McHenry—to our Board of Directors....
Sonoma Ecology Center Opens Fall Applications for Teen EnviroLeaders Program
Sonoma Ecology Center is seeking applicants for EnviroLeaders, a paid work experience program for Sonoma Valley youth. Applications are open until August 23. Photo by Austin Noble.This article was written by Sonoma Index-Tribune Staff Writer Isabel Beer and originally...
Cultivating Fire Resilience at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park: Photos Capture the First Prescribed Burn Since 1999
Photo by Austin Noble On June 16, 2025, staff from California State Parks in coordination with CAL FIRE’s Sonoma Lake-Napa Unit conducted a 14-acre prescribed burn at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park with support from members of the Sonoma Valley Wildlands Collaborative and...
Cultivating Fire-Wise Landscapes: SEC Partners with SRJC & La Luz to Empower Local Workforce
Photo by Austin NobleThis spring, Sonoma Ecology Center staff joined Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) and La Luz Center to lead a resilient landscaping course tailored to the development of ecological and fire informed approaches for landscape professionals. The...
Close to Home: By working together, we can alleviate climate change
Photo by Austin Noble This piece, written by former Sonoma Ecology Center Writer and Content Creator Stella Favaro, was originally published in the Press Democrat on June 2, 2025. Bay Area residents are more anxious than ever about climate change. Since Donald...
Sonoma Ecology Center Wraps Up Another Semester of Teen EnviroLeaders Program
EnviroLeaders Christian and Yomi consult with Sonoma Garden Park Assistant Manager Rebecca Kelly (left) on a weeding project.Since its inception in 2008, Sonoma Ecology Center's EnviroLeaders program has been instrumental in connecting driven, environmentally curious...
Sonoma Ecology Center Receives Grant from Impact100 Sonoma to Support Outdoor Gear Lending Library at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) is proud to announce we have been awarded a $14,000 Impetus Grant from Impact100 Sonoma to support the permanent implementation of an important community resource: the Outdoor Gear Lending Library at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, which SEC...
55 Years For Earth Day, 35 Years for Sonoma Ecology Center
Photo by Marielle V Chua This article, written by Sonoma Ecology Center board member David Morell, was originally published in the Sonoma Sun on April 19, 2025. Never since its founding by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and university activist Dennis Hayes on April...
Meet Rebecca Kelly, Assistant Garden Manager at Sonoma Garden Park
This fall, Sonoma Ecology Center welcomed Rebecca Kelly to the team as Assistant Garden Manager at Sonoma Garden Park. Originally from Miami, Florida, Rebecca grew up with a love of the outdoors that later transformed into a passion for working with the land. With her...
Gratitude From the Trails: A Recap of Headwaters to Headwaters 2025
Hikers gather at the Los Alamos Parking Lot at Hood Mountain Regional Park for the annual Headwaters to Headwaters Hike and Fundraiser on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Photo by Marielle V Chua.Sonoma Ecology Center's annual Headwaters to Headwaters Hike & Fundraiser...
Stewarding Sonoma County Through Art and Storytelling
On a sunny week in March at the Boys and Girls Club of Sonoma, Julia Megna watches her students put their paintbrushes to canvas, beginning a “mural-in-parts” to express their feelings and convey a message about climate change and the environment. Julia is an...
Introducing Bryn Miller, Environmental Planner and Project Manager
This previous October, Sonoma Ecology Center welcomed Environmental Planner and Project Manager, Bryn Miller. Having spent the last ten years living and working in California, Bryn brings a passion for the environment and background in field work and local government...
Looking Ahead: Headwaters to Headwaters 2025
This April, over one hundred community members will set out on the trail together for Sonoma Ecology Center’s annual Headwaters to Headwaters fundraiser hike. Over the course of the day, hikers wind through the northern half of Sonoma Valley and the Mayacamas...
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park – Wildflower Update, February 17, 2025
Spring is arriving early at Sugarloaf, and the trails are beginning to bloom. While we may not have a super bloom, there is always something new to discover. Delicate blossoms, vibrant petals, and hidden gems are waiting along the trails for those who venture out.
Most wildflowers can be found along the trails, where you must hike in to see them up close. This week’s report comes from the Brushy Peaks, Gray Pine, and Meadow Trails, brought to you by Jim Webb. Come explore and see what’s in bloom!
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park-Wildflower Update, February 13, 2025
Hoary manzanita (Arctostaphylos canescens), photo courtesy of Jim Webb.By James Webb About James (Jim) Webb: Jim began volunteering with Sugarloaf Ridge State Park last February 2023 as a trail patrol volunteer. His experience in previous work with USFS lends itself...
