- Learning on the Land at Eames Ranch
- Foresters Training Exchange
- Using Data to Prioritize Projects
- In the Classroom: Climate-Smart Grazing Management Planning
- Support Mill Creek Flow Through Rainwater Catchment & Forbearance
- Sonoma County RCDs Accepting Applications to fund conservation practices
- Calling All Grazing Cooperatives: Funding Available!
- Upcoming partner workshops, trainings, and events
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Learning on the Land at Eames Ranch
Recently, Eames Institute Ranch contracted with the Sonoma RCD to write a LandSmart® Carbon Farm Plan for their ranch adjacent to San Antonio Creek. The ranch is located on the southern edge of Sonoma County, in the traditional territory of the Coast Miwok people. The Eames Institute Ranch is interested in utilizing regenerative agriculture to improve the health of the land and to demonstrate the potential agriculture has to help solve climate change.
Our partners at the Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI) describe carbon farming as, "a whole-farm approach to optimizing carbon capture on working landscapes by implementing practices that are known to improve the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored in plant material and/or soil organic matter." The RCD Carbon Farm Plan is a tool they can use to document the practices they are already implementing as well as identify the most effective next steps in continuing to improve their property.
As part of the preparation for their Carbon Farm Plan, Madeline Tomé, a Soil Scientist from the Petaluma NRCS office, came out to assess soil health and share some key things to look for in healthy soil! Sonoma RCD's Soil and Water Specialist, Keith Abeles, and Project Manager, Ari DeMarco gathered with Benjamin Godfrey, Eames Director of Ranch Operations, and David Evershed, Farm Manager, to watch Madeline shovel a couple of scoops of soil. Her only other tool was a few cups of water. From these two tools, she was able to look at plant cover and residue breakdown, water infiltration, aggregation, soil structure and soil color, plant roots, and biological diversity. Lastly, she encouraged everyone to smell the soil - which they did! Each of these individuals are people who smell soil more often than average, but nothing compared to having an expert explain what it is that you’re smelling.
With Madeline’s help, SRCD is now able to provide better assessments and recommendations to the Eames Institute Ranch based on the health of their soil throughout various fields and pastures.
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Foresters Training Exchange Recap
Earlier this month, the Sonoma RCD's Director of Forestry, Jason Wells, and Forestry Project Manager, Genevieve Tarino participated in the Foresters Training Exchange. This event took place at the Mount Madonna School in Watsonville, CA, and was run by the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association. This training exchange included a prescribed fire training and networking opportunity with other forestry and fire professionals. Some of the groups present included CALFIRE, NRCS, The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Funds, and other RCDs.
Our forestry team spent four days in the Santa Cruz Mountains where they supported a 6.94-acre night burn of redwood forest. In addition to the burn and mop-up, the group participated in training exercises and listened to presentations by a member of the Mutsun Tribe and CALFIRE representatives.
When interviewed by the Santa Cruz Sentinel newspaper Genevieve mentioned, “For so long we’ve tried to suppress fuels and that was kind of forest policy and management for a long time,” said Tarino. “There’s been a giant change in policy funding statewide, but also the county approach. Now, there’s a lot more focus on using good fire on the ground.”
Way to go team, thank you for representing Sonoma RCD at this exchange and continuing to educate on the relationship between our forests and fire!
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How We Can Better Use Data to Prioritize Projects
Sonoma RCD is part of two Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Programs funded by the California Department of Conservation (DOC): the North Coast Resource Partnership (which covers the Russian River watershed) and the Inner Coast Collaborative (which covers the Petaluma River and Sonoma Creek watersheds). These programs focus on helping organizations like RCDs, land trusts, and open space districts improve forest health and fire resiliency.
Last month, three of our staff members attended an all-day workshop highlighting some of the tools that are available for identifying and prioritizing projects across the Inner Coast Region. They met at the California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters in Sacramento with partners across the Inner Coast Counties including Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, and Yolo. California Climate Hub researchers led the cohort through workshops that helped them explore the resources that are becoming available to help us track project development across the region and identify needs within our districts.
One of the tools the team became familiar with was "Planscape," a free, open-source mapping and data online interface that can assess large areas via various map overlays. They saw how other regions use this tool to help communities become fire-resilient and promote other ecological benefits across the state.
These programs will help the Sonoma RCD with our outreach to land managers in the Petaluma River and Sonoma Creek watersheds by highlighting the importance of specific project ideas. We also expect that it will help us secure future funding to implement projects for fuels reduction, forest health, and fire resiliency.
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In the Classroom: Climate-Smart Grazing Management Planning
Staff from our Agriculture Team attended the Climate-Smart Grazing Management Planning Training for Conservation Planners Soil Sampling Field Day which was hosted by the North Coast Soil Hub at Eames Ranch. Dr. Jeff Creque, from Carbon Cycle Institute, presented on carbon farming and how grazing can sequester carbon. Wendell Gilbert, who worked for NRCS for 34 years and now works for Point Blue Conservation Science, gave a presentation on the history of grazing a tool and how to look for signs of success.
Program Assistant, Sophia Pruden shared that she, "enjoyed connecting with my fellow RCD colleagues in the region and learning more about how to incorporate different prescriptions of grazing into Carbon Farm Plans." This workshop was part of a larger initiative by the Sonoma RCD, Gold Ridge RCD, and other partners to educate technical service providers on best practices for using grazing as a carbon-smart practice.
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We are Hiring an Administrative Manager!
The Administrative Manager position is a great opportunity for an experienced administrative professional with a diverse skillset to directly contribute to the effectiveness of our mission-driven organization. Through administrative, human resource, and financial responsibilities, this position plays a critical role in facilitating productive and efficient operations that enhance the RCD’s capacity to serve our community. The Administrative Manager reports to the Director of Finance & Administration and works closely with the Executive Director and Staff Accountant. The ideal candidate will be an anticipatory professional who can navigate shifting priorities, is highly dependable, and possesses a positive attitude and continuous learning mindset. This position is open until filled. For more details and to apply click the link below.
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Support Mill Creek Flow Through Rainwater Catchment & Forbearance
We are excited to collaborate with landowners in the Mill Creek Watershed to implement rainwater storage systems. This initiative is made possible through funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board and in partnership with Trout Unlimited. Our objective is to capture rainwater during the wet season, store it, and utilize it during dry periods. This helps maintain essential water levels to support diverse aquatic life, including local salmonid populations! Mill Creek plays a vital role as a lifeline for these species.
To sign up or learn more, reach out to Anya Starovoytov, Agricultural Program Director, astarovoytov@sonomarcd.org
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Sonoma County RCDs Accepting Applications to Fund Conservation Practices
Sonoma and Gold Ridge RCDs are accepting applications to fund conservation projects for local socially disadvantaged and historically underserved farmers and ranchers. Some project ideas include cover crops, grazing, compost application, hedgerow installation, and many more!
If you have any questions, please reach out to:
Sonoma RCD contact: Anya Starovoytov, Agricultural Program Director, astarovoytov@sonomarcd.org
Gold Ridge RCD contact: Emma Wood, Climate and Agriculture Resilience Fellow, emma@goldridgercd.org
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Calling All Grazing Cooperatives: Funding Available!
Members of grazing co-operatives in Sonoma County can now apply for funding to support their projects. This program offers up to $3,500 for materials to enhance the growth and sustainability of grazing initiatives. Funded by the Gold Ridge and Sonoma RCDs, the program operates on a non-competitive, "first come, first serve" basis. To qualify, grant requirements must be met, and notification of project funding must be received from the RCD before purchasing materials.
The goal of this program is to support and expand the capacity of community grazing co-operatives in Sonoma County. Applicants need to demonstrate how the grant will help sustain or grow their cooperative grazing projects. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 31, 2024, but early application is encouraged due to the "first come, first serve" nature of the program.
For more information or to apply, contact Aaron Fairbrook, Water Resources Program Director, at afairbrook@sonomarcd.org or 707.569.1448 x106.
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Voluntary Well Monitoring Program
We are seeking property owners with wells in Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley, and Petaluma Valley to participate in a local voluntary groundwater well monitoring program. The goal of this program is to have a more comprehensive understanding of groundwater levels in our local groundwater basins. Participating in this program benefits local communities by assisting the GSAs in identifying trends in groundwater levels throughout the year, observing patterns of winter recharge, and developing effective sustainability measures that balance current usage with the long-term viability of the aquifer. The data collected is not necessarily a reflection of individual well water use, instead, it reflects water usage within the basin as a complete entity.
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Resources to Prepare for Fire Season
The Point Fire served as a reminder that wildfire season is officially upon us. We wanted to point out several key resources. You can always visit the Sonoma RCD's Fire Mitigation and Post-Fire Recovery webpage for more resources.
Local Updates
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Watch Duty provides real-time information about wildfires and firefighting efforts. It can be used on a web browser or downloaded as an app.
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The CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Facebook page has frequent updates and press briefings on local fires.
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Sonoma County has a SoCoEmergency webpage that includes information on evacuation orders, evacuation sites, and more.
Solutions for Forest Health and Post-Fire Recovery
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June is National Pollinator Month
National Pollinator Week was celebrated June 17th-23rd. As schools are letting out and we prepare for summer, it can be a great time for nature-based outdoor summer activities! This year's theme was "Vision 2040: Thriving Ecosystems, Economies and Agriculture." The goal was to conscientiously reflect on a future where pollinators are thriving! Here at the RCD, we are focused on creating thriving ecosystems, economies, and agricultural lands.
How are you promoting pollinator health? Try thinking about the connection among our local ecosystems, economy, and agriculture. The Pollinator Partnership website has a variety of tools to educate, celebrate, and assist our local pollinators. You can also sign up to bee part of their Pollinator Power Party and observe the pollinators around you! Plus - there is a prize for the most observations. Sign up by July 31st!
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Conservation at Work with LandSmart®
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