Montini Open Space Preserve
Photo by Conor Hagen
History of our work at Montini Open Space Preserve
Throughout the 1990’s, Sonoma Ecology Center promoted the vision of a “protected hillside backdrop” for the City of Sonoma. We worked with community leaders and organizations toward this vision, which resulted in protection from development of the City’s Mountain Cemetery property and creation of the Sonoma Overlook Trail, as well as protection of the Montini family’s ranch on the western hillside.
Ninety-eight acres of the Montini ranch property was purchased in fee by Ag + Open Space as the Montini Open Space Preserve, and transferred to the City of Sonoma in 2014. The Preserve is situated at Sonoma’s northern edge and is visible from most of town. Locals and tourists now walk its trails for scenic views of Sonoma Valley, San Pablo Bay, and San Francisco, as well as to enjoy its oak woodlands, seasonal streams and wildflowers. The former ranchland is also important local habitat for Sonoma Valley’s many native species.
Sonoma Ecology Center partners with the City of Sonoma to manage the Montini Preserve’s land, including habitat restoration and trail work by our Restoration Department. Our educators also use Montini—sometimes in conjunction with Restoration—to teach children about nature and the outdoors.
On the eastern side of the hillside backdrop, with the City of Sonoma, we support Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards, an all-volunteer group to manage Sonoma Overlook Trail. Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards maintains the trails, provides information focusing on the trail’s flora, fauna and history, and raises money to maintain the trail. Learn more about Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards on their website.
Montini Open Space Preserve’s looped trails are open from dawn to dusk every day and are accessible to the public by two trailheads, one at 4th Street West and Haraszthy Drive and one at Field of Dreams on 1st Street West.
To stay updated on our work at Montini and hear about upcoming events at Montini Open Space Preserve, subscribe to our newsletter!