More than 25,000 acres protected!

With the end-of-year acquisition of the Jenner Headlands and the conservation easement on the Drake Family property in Bennett Valley, the Sonoma Land Trust has increased its protected lands to more than 25,000 acres!

SLT protected lands summary
Projects completed as of 12/31/2009

Cow Patty Pageant a success

For the 18th year in a row, the annual “Cow Patty Pageant” was held at the end of January along the Estero Americano, a tidal estuary that forms the Sonoma/Marin border. The event was established in 1992 to draw attention to the beauty of the Estero and to protest plans for a sewage outfall to be located there. This year, 49 participants dressed in “cowstumes” made their way along the 12-mile round trip paddle in good spirits despite the chilly January weather. Contestants and safety boaters also removed trash and refuse from the waterway before retiring to Dinucci’s for lunch. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Land Trust to cover expenses associated with an upcoming LandPaths’ In Our Own Backyard 3rd grade class field trip to SLT’s Estero Americano Preserve this fall.

Support your local native plant nursery!

Friends of San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is having its first plant sale on Saturday, February 27 from 9am–noon. Proceeds will benefit Friends of San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge and restoration efforts at the refuge. Plants available for purchase include Sticky Monkey Flower Diplacus aurantiacus, Lizard’s Tail Eriophyllum staechadifolium, California Sagebrush Artemisia californica, Blue Wild Rye Elymus glaucus, Purple Needle Grass Nassella pulchra, and others.

Directions: The nursery is located on the eastbound side of Hwy 37, half a mile east of Lakeville Hwy. There are no signs; just look for the old farm buildings. For questions, call 707-769-4200 or 510-377-6146, or write giambastiani@bay.org.

Meeting with our neighbors in Jenner

On January 30, the Sonoma Land Trust held a community meeting in the coastal town of Jenner and 45 people attended, including Fifth District Supervisor Efren Carrillo. SLT acquisitions director Amy Chesnut and Jenner Headlands project manager Brook Edwards provided an overview of the acquisition process and our plans to develop a comprehensive resource management plan, which will balance public use with the protection of the property’s rich biological and cultural resources. After the presentation, Brook, Amy and stewardship director Bob Neale answered questions and listened to comments and stories from attendees. Community meetings are just one of several ways in which SLT is continuing to get the word out and receive input from people in the neighboring communities.

Milo Baker CNPS Chapter    

In the field and back at the office, Milo Baker California Native Plant Society members assist with SLT’s conservation and stewardship activities on an ongoing basis. With SLT’s portfolio of protected lands and CNPS’ botanical expertise, the partnership is a perfect match. From plant list development and help with vegetation management and monitoring, to assistance with conservation plans, the Milo Baker team provides critical support for projects involving important native plant assemblages. Recent successes include botanizing and plant list development at the Jenner Headlands, grassland monitoring at the Estero Americano Preserve, technical advisory group participation and field work at Lower Pitkin Marsh, and key input on the Pitkin and Cedars conservation plans.

Click here to learn more about Milo Baker CNPS

February 2010

Join in a Land Trust workday!

Pull broom at Laufenburg, remove thistle at Pitkin Marsh, collect native grass seed at the Estero or clear trails at Little Black Mountain — the choice is yours! Volunteers are needed for a variety of projects on our beautiful properties this spring. Enjoy the fresh air and good company, and make a difference by volunteering for a workday today.

See our schedule

Matching gift deadline extended
$1.5 million raised so far

Thank you to everyone who made a pledge at the end of the year moving us closer to the goal of raising $2 million to match our $2 million pledge. The deadline has been extended to give us more time to raise the remaining $500,000. Each gift saves land and protects our large open landscapes for future generations.

Keeping state parklands open

Signature gathering has begun for the California initiative to establish an $18 annual vehicle license surcharge to fund state parks. The Sonoma Land Trust is contributing $10,000 to this campaign. Volunteers are still needed to gather signatures. Learn more

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For every dollar invested
in State Parks, $2.35 is created in tax revenue.
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Take your bag to Whole Foods

Remember that the Whole Foods store in Santa Rosa has selected the Sonoma Land Trust as a “Nickels for Nonprofits” recipient. From now through April 11, when you take your own bags for groceries, you will have the option to donate five cents per bag to a selected charity — we hope you’ll choose the Sonoma Land Trust when you check out!

Sonoma County Environmental Awards Dinner

Saturday, March 6,
5:30–9pm Sebastopol Veterans’ Auditorium Featured speaker: Brock Dolman, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Water Institute
The $50 ticket price also includes a gourmet dinner, local silent auction, raffle, and live music. Presented by the Sonoma County Conservation Council (of which SLT is a member) and the Sierra Club Sonoma Group.

Click here for more info or to buy tickets