Climate Adaptation and Biochar
Through our Sonoma Biochar Initiative program, we promote sustainable biochar production and use throughout California to reduce wildfire risk, lock carbon in the soil, and restore the health of our agricultural lands.
We also focus on preparedness, using science and community outreach to understand and prepare for climate hazards at the local level.
Shortcuts
What is Biochar?
Biochar is a specialized form of charcoal produced by heating biomass at high temperatures (typically 350°C to 1,000°C) in low-oxygen environments, in a process called pyrolysis or gasification. Unlike charcoal used for grilling, biochar is produced specifically for use in agriculture and soil management as well as for water filtration and an emerging number of construction and industrial applications.
Biochar is not a single type of material, but rather the catch-all name for a wide spectrum of carbonized biomass made from different feedstocks, at different temperatures, using a range of production methods. These processes can also produce a variety of other valuable byproducts that can be captured and utilized, such as process heat, producer gases, and pyrolytic fluids such as wood vinegar.
Biochar has a unique physical structure, with thousands of tiny pores that hold the nutrients and water for the plants’ roots to access and enjoy. In many ways, it’s akin to a coral reef in the ocean, acting as a natural attractant, sanctuary, and incubator by creating infrastructure for billions of organisms to thrive.
How to use Biochar
Biochar mixed with compost makes a rich soil amendment for your farm, ranch or garden. The best time to apply it is with new plantings, however there are ways to add it using no-till nutrient application techniques in existing fields or orchards.
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Garden beds: spread a 1–2 inch layer of the blend and mix it into the top 4–6 inches of soil.
New plantings: toss a few handfuls of blend into the planting hole.
Pots & containers: about 1 part blend to 4–5 parts potting mix.
Use the finished biochar-compost blend just like a rich compost, and water it in well. Because biochar lasts for centuries, this is a one-time job — no need to reapply each year. (For reference: about 3–4 cu ft of biochar per 100 sq ft.)
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HOW MUCH TO USE (PER ACRE)
Biochar — field rate
varies with soil conditions — 2–10 tons per acreCompost — co-blended
10–50 tons per acreAlways charge first: blend the biochar with compost and let it cure for several weeks, keeping it moist. Incorporate the charged blend into the top 4–6 in of soil in a single pass, directly down the planting rows — properly made biochar persists for centuries and is not an annual input. However, agronomic benefits may decrease over time, and successive applications may be needed to maintain improved plant response. On sandy or badly depleted ground, rates can be increased. Water in after incorporation.
Field tests have shown that the worse the soil’s characteristics are when the biochar is added to it, the more positive the impact will be on crop yields.
The Benefits of Biochar
Biochar can increase soil health, conserve and store nutrients and water, increase agricultural crop yields, help stormwater filtration, be used as a feed supplement, and even as a beneficial additive for construction materials such as concrete and wallboard.
Where to Buy Biochar
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Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 7th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476
$25 1 cu ft blend · $35 for 2 cu ft blend (self-fill)
Ready-to-use co-composted blend (20% wood biochar / 80% quality compost). Seasonal Saturday Harvest Market, 9:00 am–1 :-00 pm, or by appointment. Contact garden@sonomaecologycenter.org to make an appointment. Proceeds support Sonoma Ecology Center biochar education programs.
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Pacific Biochar, Santa Rosa, CA
West Marin Compost, Nicasio, CA
Napa Recycling & Compost, American Canyon, CA
Compost Depot, Sonoma County
Rogue Biochar, White City, OR
White papers, field reports, books, videos, podcasts, TED talks, and biochar organizations.
Biochar Resources
About Sonoma Biochar Initiative
Founded in 2009 as a project of the Sonoma Ecology Center, SBI brings together sustainability consultants, environmental scientists, policy experts, and community organizers united by a belief in biochar's transformative potential.
SBI's mission is to promote the ethical, sustainable production and use of biochar throughout California and beyond. Our staff educates a wide range of stakeholders on biochar's advantages as a key tool for advancing effective climate policy and accelerating sustainable agricultural productivity in Sonoma County and across California. Biochar production and application hold great promise as a "fast mitigation technology". If deployed responsibly at scale, it could meaningfully reduce atmospheric CO₂ while helping build and maintain healthy soils.
In pursuit of these objectives, SBI supports policies at local, state, and federal government levels that foster early adoption of biochar production and application through appropriate carbon valuation and funding; technology support; offset protocols; and clear pathways to address regulatory hurdles.
Such projects include various components that together can link biochar production, GHG reduction, carbon sequestration, agricultural soil building and yield enhancement, water filtration, pollution mitigation, and energy cogeneration.
In 2024, SBI received a CAL FIRE grant to manage planning for greening additions to 12 elementary schools: 4 in Santa Rosa and 8 in Pittsburg. Working with architects, landscape architects, and school communities, SBI managed development of plans that include planting shade trees, building outdoor classrooms, removing asphalt, building bioswales, and integrating biochar into all soil treatments.
In 2025, SBI was awarded implementation funding for Stoneman Elementary in Pittsburg. Construction completed in December 2025, and environmental education programming for 2nd-5th graders began in February 2026. All projects include a curriculum element where SEC staff provide environmental education to every class.
Greening Schoolyards
Climate Resilient Neighborhoods
Sonoma Ecology Center’s Climate Resilient Neighborhoods program provides free landscaping services to households in The Springs, with a focus on defensible space and climate resiliency. For more information, please fill out the interest form and a member of our staff will reach out to you. You can also contact faith@sonomaecologycenter.org with any questions.
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Site visit to make landscaping recommendations for defensible space and climate resilience.
Examples: conserving water, improving fire safety, increasing shade, and creating habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
Most recommendations will be easy and inexpensive, like pruning or planting native plants.
$1,500 of recommended landscaping work per household, at no cost to the landowner. Projects will be executed by skilled, licensed contractors who have graduated from the Fire-Wise Landscaping course at Santa Rosa Junior College (facilitated in part by Sonoma Ecology Center staff members).
Established connection to these skilled contractors to implement any recommendations or other work you choose to pay for beyond the covered amount.
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Site visits are expected to take one to two hours with the landowner or their designee (such as a property manager). After the visit, we will share a finalized list of recommendations and connect you with the licensed contractors who have graduated from our training program.
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The Climate Resilient Neighborhoods program aims to increase the climate resiliency of 40 households in the Sonoma Valley Springs. Target communities include Agua Caliente, Boyes Hot Springs, Fetters Hot Springs, and El Verano. To check if you qualify, take a look at our target area map.
Contractors for the program have been trained through the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Fire-Wise Landscaping course, with several course modules being taught by skilled Restoration and Environmental Stewardship professionals from Sonoma Ecology Center’s staff. The Climate Resilient Neighborhoods program is funded by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency awarded to La Luz Center. La Luz is a nonprofit serving the Latino community of Sonoma Valley through direct services and community engagement.
Contractors for the program have been trained through the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Fire-Wise Landscaping course, with several course modules being taught by skilled Restoration and Environmental Stewardship professionals from Sonoma Ecology Center’s staff. The Climate Resilient Neighborhoods program is funded by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency awarded to La Luz Center. La Luz is a nonprofit serving the Latino community of Sonoma Valley through direct services and community engagement.
A Roadmap for Climate Resilience in Sonoma County
We co-authored A Roadmap for Climate Resilience in Sonoma County, California, published in 2016, which provides a framework and recommendations for how Sonoma County should approach climate resilience. It emphasizes the need to incorporate future projected climate into decisions at every level.
It outlines adaptation goals and recommends actions by the type of actor that is best placed to achieve them.