Jenner Headlands: An outdoor classroom with an amazing view

Recently, SRJC students enrolled in Natural Resources Management 111 took a field trip to the Jenner Headlands. This course, taught by Kasey Wade, covers field operations in watershed, forestry, and park and recreation management. Staff from SLT and The Wildlands Conservancy kickstarted the day by discussing career paths in natural resource management, and then presented our current activities that will lead to the development of a comprehensive management plan for the headlands. The students then enjoyed a tour and discussion about the geology, soils, botany and wildlife of the property. This is just one way SLT is working to promote a sense of place and land ethic for students of all ages. SLT's properties serve as ideal outdoor classrooms to learn about the natural world and stewarding the land.

We've begun construction of the Sonoma Baylands Center!

Last month, staff and friends celebrated the beginning of construction of the Sonoma Baylands Center at the site of our Sears Point Habitat Restoration Project. The Center will serve as a gathering place to explore and learn about the diversity of activities and life forms at the Sonoma Baylands. Pictured here are the major funders of the center standing in front of the construction site. (From left to right) Charles Casey of the Bothin Foundation, architect Olle Lundberg, Tammie Fraser and Brook Halsey of the Rockey Fund, Mendel Stewart of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ralph Benson, Sonoma Land Trust executive director.

Geology visit to Little Black Mountain

Retired Sonoma State University Geology Professor Dr. Rolfe Erickson and SLT stewardship staff hiked the slopes of Little Black Mountain recently to collect rock specimens for zircon dating. According to Dr. Erickson, “Little Black Mountain is a small magmatic body of solidified rhyolite that by previous dating methods was considered to be 100 million years old - much younger than surrounding Franciscan metamorphic rocks thought to be about 160 million years old by fossil dates. Recent zircon dating shows the Franciscan to be 83 million years old, and the Little Black Mountain rhyolite date is now too old for the body to be a simple intrusion. We will use the new zircon dates to further resolve this conflict. Another feature of this study is very accurate chemical and mineralogical analysis to characterize this type of rock more precisely."

Dr. Erickson has studied the geology of the Cazadero area for over four decades, and produced multiple papers on the topic. To watch a 3-minute interview with Dr. Erickson, click here.

To view the Cazadero geology map, click here: http://hdl.handle.net/10211.1/169

November 2010

Willow planting volunteer workday

Friday January 28, 10-2
Sears Point Ranch, San Pablo Bay

Please join Sonoma Land Trust's willow planting workparty at Sears Point Ranch in Southern Sonoma County (near Lakeville Hwy & Hwy 37). Volunteers are needed to help "sprig" riparian areas with willow poles as part of a riparian enhancement project. This project is Level 2. For more information or to sign up, please call (707) 544-5614, ext. 2 or email volunteer@sonomalandtrust.org

Click here for more info

PD covers raptor migration on Jenner Headlands

Thank you to Press Democrat reporter Bob Norberg and photographer John Burgess for letting people know about the surprise raptor migration on the Jenner Headlands.

Read the story 

See more raptor photos

Join the Legacy League

Please remember to include the Sonoma Land Trust in your will. A gift of any size helps guarantee that funds will always be available to preserve the scenic beauty, wild habitat and signature landscapes of Sonoma County. For more information, please contact Beverly Scottland at (707) 526-6930, ext. 108 or email beverly@sonomalandtrust.org.

Lucky paddlers explore the Estero Americano

Thanks to a new collaboration between LandPaths and the Sonoma Land Trust, a small flotilla of adventurous paddlers explored the estuary for a day of extreme scenic beauty and fall raptor watching. Special thanks to Jonathan Glass of LandPaths for leading the outing and Craig and Annette Roth for sharing tips on how to ID hawks, falcons, and more!

See more photos and a list of the birds seen

SLT seeks executive assistant

Click here for position announcement

NEW! Follow us on

More than 1,100 people have joined us on Facebook! If you’re not one of them, join today and be among the first to receive our breaking news and outings information.