Montini Open Space Preserve

Photo by Conor Hagen

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.

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!

June 2025 Prescribed Burn at Montini Open Space Preserve

Last updated: June 24, 2025

On June 23, 2025, a coalition of local agencies—including Sonoma Valley Fire District, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, the City of Sonoma, and CAL FIRE—conducted a prescribed burn on approximately 20 acres of Montini Open Space Preserve. This carefully planned effort aimed to reduce wildfire risk in a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, prevent unplanned ignitions by proactively managing fuels, suppress invasive species like medusahead, and promote the regeneration of native, fire-adapted plants such as purple needlegrass.

Sonoma Ecology Center was proud to support this successful burn as part of a long-standing commitment to ecological stewardship and wildfire resilience in Sonoma Valley. Our advocacy for prescribed fire as a science-based land management tool is grounded in decades of work to build healthier, more resilient landscapes. To learn more about this mission and our ongoing efforts, we invite you to watch the short film below by Conor Hagen, which highlights how Sonoma Ecology Center is advancing a future where people, land, water, and wildlife thrive.

To learn more about our ongoing work to support fire resilience, we invite you to watch the short film by Conor Hagen on how Sonoma Ecology Center is advancing a future where people, land, water, and wildlife thrive.

Montini Open Space Preserve is Open to the Public

Last updated: 9:30 am, June 25, 2025

[Traducido al español debajo] Montini Open Space Preserve is now officially reopened for public access, following the prescribed burn conducted on June 23, 2025, by Sonoma Valley Fire District and partner agencies on approximately 20 acres of the preserve.

Visitors may notice patches of darkened ground and other signs of recent fire—please do not be alarmed. These are the result of a carefully planned, safely executed prescribed burn that was conducted to reduce wildfire risk and support the ecological health of this fire-adapted landscape. By lowering fuel loads, suppressing invasive species, and encouraging the regeneration of native plants, this work helps safeguard both the preserve and the surrounding community.

Thank you for respecting the land—and for supporting ongoing stewardship efforts in Sonoma Valley.

Montini Open Space Preserve ya está oficialmente reabierta al público, tras la quema prescrita realizada el 23 de junio de 2025 por Sonoma Valley Fire District y agencias colaboradoras en aproximadamente 20 acres de la reserva.

Los visitantes pueden notar áreas de suelo oscurecido y otros signos de fuego reciente—por favor, no se alarmen. Estos son el resultado de una quema prescrita cuidadosamente planificada y ejecutada de forma segura, con el objetivo de reducir el riesgo de incendios forestales y apoyar la salud ecológica de este paisaje adaptado al fuego. Al reducir la acumulación de material combustible, suprimir especies invasoras y fomentar la regeneración de plantas nativas, este trabajo contribuye a proteger tanto la reserva como la comunidad circundante.

Gracias por respetar la tierra y por apoyar los esfuerzos continuos de conservación en Sonoma Valley.

PRESCRIBED BURN UPDATE

Last updated: 6:30 pm, June 23, 2025

[Traducido al español debajo] Today’s prescribed burn at Montini Open Space Preserve was carried out safely and successfully, thanks to a strong collaboration led by Sonoma Valley Fire District with support from CAL FIRE, Fire Forward, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Sonoma Ecology Center, and the City of Sonoma. More than 60 firefighters worked together to execute the prescribed burn with precision and care.

While the active burning phase has concluded, smoke may still be visible as crews conduct mop-up operations—cooling remaining hot spots and securing the perimeter up to 100 feet in. Sonoma Valley Fire District personnel will remain on site overnight to monitor for any flare-ups and ensure safety. At this time, Montini Open Space Preserve remains closed—Sonoma Ecology Center will share an update as soon as the park is ready to welcome visitors again.

This effort is part of a broader strategy to reduce wildfire risk, and steward our local open spaces through ecologically-informed land management practices. We’ll share more about the prescribed burn—and the multiple objectives it accomplished—in the coming days and weeks. Thank you to all of our partners—and to the Sonoma Valley community—for your continued support.

ACTUALIZACIÓN SOBRE LA QUEMA PRESCRITA:

La quema prescrita de hoy en Montini Open Space Preserve se llevó a cabo de manera segura y exitosa, gracias a una sólida colaboración liderada por Sonoma Valley Fire District, con el apoyo de CAL FIRE, Fire Forward, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Sonoma Ecology Center y la City of Sonoma. Más de 60 bomberos trabajaron en conjunto para ejecutar la quema con precisión y cuidado.

Aunque la fase activa de la quema ha concluido, el humo aún puede ser visible mientras las cuadrillas realizan labores de enfriamiento de puntos calientes y aseguran el perímetro hasta 30 metros hacia el interior. El personal de Sonoma Valley Fire District permanecerá en el sitio durante la noche para monitorear cualquier posible reactivación y garantizar la seguridad. En este momento, Montini Open Space Preserve permanece cerrada—Sonoma Ecology Center compartirá una actualización tan pronto como el parque esté listo para recibir visitantes nuevamente.

Este esfuerzo forma parte de una estrategia más amplia para reducir el riesgo de incendios forestales y conservar nuestros espacios abiertos locales mediante prácticas de manejo del territorio con base ecológica. En los próximos días y semanas compartiremos más información sobre la quema prescrita y los múltiples objetivos que se lograron. Gracias a todos nuestros socios—y a la comunidad de Sonoma Valley—por su continuo apoyo.

HAPPENING TODAY: PRESCRIBED BURN

Last updated: 8:00 am, June 23, 2025

[Traducido al español debajo] All of the conditions for a safe prescribed burn are in place—temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction are cooperating, and Sonoma Valley Fire District is moving forward with the burn.

You can expect to see smoke to the north of the Sonoma Plaza between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm today.

Keep an eye on our Instagram and Facebook stories for updates during and after the burn.

Todas las condiciones necesarias para una quema prescrita segura están presentes: la temperatura, la humedad, la velocidad y la dirección del viento son favorables, y Sonoma Valley Fire District está procediendo con la quema.

Se puede esperar ver humo al norte de la Plaza de Sonoma entre las 9:00 am y las 3:00 pm de hoy.

Sigue nuestras “historias” en Instagram y Facebook para actualizaciones durante y después de la quema.

Map of Prescribed Burn Area and Important Reminders

June 20, 2025

Map of the prescribed burn area courtesy of Sonoma Valley Fire District

[Traducido al español abajo] As Monday, June 23 approaches, here are the important things to keep in mind about the prescribed burn:

Right now, the burn is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am on Monday, June 23.
If the conditions for a safe prescribed burn are in place, we will move forward with the burn. Otherwise, the burn will be rescheduled for another day between June 24-27.
The burn will only take place on one day.
Montini Open Space Preserve will be closed to the public during the burn and reopen once conditions are safe.
Smoke may be visible north of the Sonoma Plaza between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the day of the burn.
This prescribed burn is being conducted by Sonoma Valley Fire District (SVFD), in partnership with the City of Sonoma and Sonoma Ecology Center. SVFD will be closely monitoring information from the National Weather Service to ensure temperature, humidity, and wind conditions are just right.
The burn will appear on the Watch Duty app, marked with a green flame icon labeled “Rx.” However, Watch Duty does not send push notifications for prescribed burns, so residents are encouraged to check the app manually for updates.
For real-time updates, check this page and keep an eye on Sonoma Ecology Center’s Instagram and Facebook stories.

A medida que se acerca el lunes 23 de junio, aquí están los puntos importantes a tener en cuenta sobre la quema prescrita:

Actualmente, la quema está programada para comenzar a las 9:00 am el lunes 23 de junio.
Si se cumplen las condiciones necesarias para una quema prescrita segura, procederemos con la quema. De lo contrario, se reprogramará para otro día entre el 24 y el 27 de junio.
La quema se llevará a cabo solo en un día.
Montini Open Space Preserve estará cerrado al público durante la quema y reabrirá una vez que las condiciones sean seguras.
Es posible que se vea humo al norte de Sonoma Plaza entre las 9:00 am y las 3:00 pm el día de la quema.
Esta quema prescrita será realizada por Sonoma Valley Fire District (SVFD), en colaboración con la City of Sonoma y Sonoma Ecology Center. SVFD estará monitoreando de cerca la información del National Weather Service para asegurar que las condiciones de temperatura, humedad y viento sean las adecuadas.
La quema aparecerá en la aplicación Watch Duty, marcada con un ícono de llama verde con la etiqueta “Rx”. Sin embargo, Watch Duty no envía notificaciones automáticas para quemas prescritas, por lo que se recomienda a los residentes revisar la aplicación manualmente para obtener actualizaciones.
Para actualizaciones en tiempo real, visita esta página y mantente atento a las “historias” de Instagram y Facebook de Sonoma Ecology Center.

Montini Preserve to Undergo Prescribed Burn to Protect Homes, Habitat, and Hillside Health

Joint Press Release

Date: June 9, 2025

Sonoma, CA – A coalition of local agencies, including the Sonoma Valley Fire District, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, the City of Sonoma and CAL FIRE, is preparing to conduct a prescribed burn on approximately 20 acres of the Montini Open Space Preserve during the week of June 23, 2025. The exact date will depend on weather and site conditions to ensure a safe and effective operation.

This carefully planned prescribed burn is part of a proactive strategy to reduce wildfire risk in a Very High Fire Severity Zone that borders the City of Sonoma and nearby neighborhoods. In addition to reducing hazardous vegetation (fuel loads), the burn will support long-term ecological goals, including managing invasive species such as yellow star-thistle, medusahead, Italian thistle, and ripgut brome, protecting native trees and plants, and promoting healthy grasslands.

“This prescribed burn not only helps safeguard our community during this fire season—it’s part of a long-term commitment to ecological stewardship and wildfire resilience,” said Richard Dale, Executive Director, Sonoma Ecology Center.

Fire officials also emphasize that prescribed fire is a vital tool in the broader effort to protect Sonoma Valley’s communities.

“This is a responsible step toward building a more fire-resilient landscape,” said Sonoma Valley Fire District Chief Steve Akre. “Our goal is to eventually conduct similar operations across wildlands and open spaces throughout Sonoma Valley—including in the Springs area—to help protect the Valley as a whole.”

Prescribed fire is a time-tested land management tool. While it may be a relatively new practice near urban areas like Sonoma, it’s increasingly used across California to restore natural ecosystems and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

“While this type of operation may be new for our City, bringing back ‘good fire’ to our wildlands and open spaces is both environmentally and socially responsible,” said Sonoma Mayor and Sonoma Ecology Center Board Vice President and CFO Patricia Farrar-Rivas. “We recognize that residents who have experienced wildfires may feel anxious about any fire nearby, but this carefully planned, ‘low and slow’ burn is the opposite of a wildfire—it’s a proven strategy to help prevent one.”

The burn will be led by the Sonoma Valley Fire District with support from partner agencies. Fire personnel will remain on site overnight to ensure safety. The burn is expected to last about five hours, but visible smoke, flames, glowing embers, and a post-burn blackened landscape may be seen during and after the operation—this is normal and expected.

“We also know that seeing a familiar landscape after a fire can be disheartening at first,” said Dale. “We’re installing temporary signage at the site to help our community understand the ‘why,’ the ecological and safety benefits of prescribed fire, and to see up close how a beneficial fire works in the landscape.”

The burn will appear on the Watch Duty app, marked with a green flame icon labeled “Rx.” However, Watch Duty does not send push notifications for prescribed burns, so residents are encouraged to check the app manually for updates. Sonoma Ecology Center will provide real-time updates on its website, sonomaecologycenter.org/montini-open-space-preserve/, and social media.

While smoke impacts are expected to be minimal, those with respiratory sensitivities are encouraged to take precautions to limit exposure during and shortly after the burn.

In addition to community-scale efforts like prescribed fire, residents play an important role in wildfire risk reduction by managing vegetation on their own properties. The Sonoma Valley Fire District encourages homeowners to:

Avoid mowing or using gas-powered tools during the hottest part of the day or when it’s windy.
Maintain defensible space around homes by removing dead plants and limbs.
Trim grasses and weeds early in the season before they dry out.
Avoid parking vehicles in tall grass.

For more vegetation management tips and guidelines, visit www.sonomavalleyfire.org.

For additional information and updates about the prescribed burn at the Montini Preserve, please visit sonomaecologycenter.org/montini-open-space-preserve/

Media Contacts:
Sonoma Valley Fire District
Mason Lewis
(707) 996-2102
[email protected]

Sonoma Ecology Center
Aila Fassett
(707) 996-0712
[email protected]

City of Sonoma
Sarah Tracy, PIO
(707) 933-2210
[email protected]

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.

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.

To stay updated on our work at Montini and hear about upcoming events at Montini Open Space Preserve, subscribe to our newsletter!

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