Past Events

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EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP

Vineyard Irrigation Management Field Day
at Kunde/Wildwood Vineyard

Friday August 12, 2011
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

This workshop includes hands-on demonstrations on a variety of methods to monitor and track irrigation practices. Proper irrigation scheduling can help you to conserve water, improve the quality of your harvest and save money.

For further information and registration, please contact Valerie Minton at: vminton@sotoyomercd.org or 707.569.1448 x102.

Windsor Oaks Vineyard Tour

Saturday, February 12, 2011
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Meet at the Healdsburg Wild Steelhead Festival, in the Healdsburg Plaza

Please join us as we tour the beautiful Windsor Oaks Vineyard and learn how sustainable land management within a watershed has a beneficial impact on the health of our streams and fish. We'll depart from the Healdsburg Plaza for a short bus ride where we'll discuss our local watersheds and their habitats and how we can preserve and manage agricultural and open space land. At Windsor Oaks, by bus and by foot, we'll tour the property and see some examples of management practices (riparian enhancement, erosion control, and more) that benefit the watershed and the wildlife (and people!) that depend on it.

These tours have been scheduled concurrently with the Healdsburg Wild Steelhead Festival in order to give Festival participants an opportunity to get out into the watershed and learn more about some of the issues that impact steelhead and their fishy friends. Participants can sign up in advance or by visiting the Sotoyome RCD's table at the Festival. The walking portion of this tour will be a relatively short, easy walk along an unpaved vineyard road.

To register in advance, please use the following links:

• Online Registration for 11:30 a.m. Tour
  
• Online Registration for   2:00 p.m. Tour

If the tour is full and does not allow you to register please contact Valerie Minton 569-1448 x 102 to be placed on a waiting list and for suggestions of other outings offered through your RCDs and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (www.sonomaopenspace.org).

We look forward to seeing you at the Steelhead Festival!

Valerie Minton
Sotoyome RCD
vminton@sotoyomercd.org
707-569-1448 x 102

The Integrated Vineyard:
What's in Your Toolbox?

Tuesday, November 2, 2010
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Dutton Pavilion, SRJC Shone Farm
6225 Eastside Rd, Forestville, CA

Forum presented by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

Cost is $40 and includes lunch.

Crane Family Farm Tour

Saturday, October 9, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Crane Family Farm (Meeting location provided after registration)

Please join us on Saturday, October 9th at 2:00 p.m. as we visit the Crane Farm, home to Sonoma County's own crane melon as well as the Crane family, who have been farming in this area for six generations.

We'll take an easy walk around the farm and learn about its abundant melon and winegrape crops, its rich agricultural history and the conservation easement that protects agricultural use of this land in perpetuity. We'll meet Jennifer Crane, who will share with us her experience farming in Sonoma County, along with a taste of freshly harvested crane melons.

The Crane Family and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District have worked together to protect approximately 130 acres of fertile and productive agricultural land. In addition to producing high quality melons, wine grapes, and other fresh produce, this land is an important part of the rural landscape that borders Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa.

To register please click on the link below. If you wish to register for more than one individual you will each have to register each individual separately.

If the outing is full and does not allow you to register please contact Valerie Minton 569-1448 x 102 to be placed on a waiting list and for suggestions of other outings offered through your RCDs and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.

Vineyard Water Management Field Day

Friday, August 20, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Hoot Owl Creek / Alexander Valley Vineyards

This informative workshop will discuss wise water use in vineyards and a demonstration project. Topics will include irrigation scheduling methods, including the use of various technologies to assist in irrigation management, frost protection measures and alternatives, and funding sources available. Presenters include Sotoyome RCD, Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, and Mark Greenspan, Advanced Viticulture LLC.

Please contact Karen Thomas at 707-522-5862 for more information and to RSVP by August 11th.

Jenner Headlands

Saturday, June 26, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. BYO lunch
Jenner Headlands

Jenner Headlands

Please join us Saturday, June 26th for this exciting opportunity to explore the single largest conservation land acquisition in Sonoma County, and learn about current and historic livestock operations on the property.

The Jenner Headlands property was acquired by the Sonoma Land Trust in December 2009, in partnership with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and several public and private funding partners. This stunning 5,630 acre property has it all - stunning views, working landscapes, and rich fish and wildlife habitat that includes streams, redwood and Douglas fir forests, and rare coastal prairie.

We'll be hiking a strenuous 4.5 miles round trip (appropriate for experienced hikers) along the coastal portion of the property, and representatives from the Sonoma Land Trust and the Wildlands Conservancy will be available to share information about the property, its historic and current livestock operations, and the management planning process that will include a public access component. Enjoy this remarkable property and get a preview of the recreational opportunities that will be available to the public in the future!

To register please click on the link above. If you wish to register for more than one individual you will each have to register each individual separately. Please note: this hike is most appropriate for experienced hikers, those who have completed hikes of several miles or more in the last 6 months or so.

Contact: Valerie Minton
vminton@sotoyomercd.org
707-569-1448 x 102

From Acquisition to Management
How a Property Becomes a Preserve

Sunday, June 6, 2010, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve Outing

Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve photo provided by R. Evans

An outing at Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve will provide an overview of all that goes into planning once a property is acquired by the District. From protecting cultural resources and rare plants to providing recreational opportunities to the public- much thought goes into managing and protecting the resources on a preserve. Sierra Cantor, Biologist, will be on hand to discuss the Saddle Mountain Management Plan and the regional significance of this property. A representative from the Friends of Mark West Watershed Group will be on hand to discuss their role in establishing the Saddle Mountain Preserve and their involvement in the Saddle Mountain Trail Watchers and other stewardship activities.

Contact: Valerie Minton
vminton@sotoyomercd.org
707-569-1448 x 102

The Happy Cows of Taylor Mountain

Saturday, May 15, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Taylor Mountain Open Space Preserve

We will take a hike on the Districts' Taylor Mountain Open Space Preserve and talk about the history and ecology of grazing on California grasslands and the vital role that grazing plays in maintaining native species diversity with Lisa Bush, Certified Rangeland Manager. In addition, Jeff Jones, 4th generation rancher, will be on hand to share his family's experience of ranching on the property and the challenges of maintaining a viable cattle operation in Sonoma County. Kathleen Marsh, the District's Stewardship Coordinator, will discuss the partnerships between the District and local agricultural producers.

Contact: Valerie Minton
vminton@sotoyomercd.org
707-569-1448 x 102

Triple-C Dairy Tour

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Petaluma

The Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District in collaboration with Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is pleased to invite members of the public on a special visit to Triple-C Dairy on May 11th, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This outing is free of charge, but advance registration is required.

Contact: John Guardino
john.guardino@sscrcd.org
(707) 794-1242 x 112

Mill Creek Watershed Planning Meeting

Saturday, February 27, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Felta School House
1043 Felta Road, Healdsburg

The Sotoyome Resource Conservation District is pleased to announce that watershed planning and hydrology study efforts are underway in the Mill Creek watershed. Please join us to learn about strategies to improve stream flow for salmon and to meet agricultural and residential needs, and to learn how you can be involved in these efforts.

Download the event flyer.

Lambs and Levees
Ranching along the Petaluma River at Cloudy Bend Ranch

Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

Meet rancher Craig Jacobsen and learn about Cloudy Bend's history, 368-acre conservation easement, and lambing and hay farming on the Petaluma River. Weather permitting, we'll take a 3-mile walk around the ranch to view the baylands. Get a lesson on geomorphology of the slough and baylands, recycled water project, and wetland ecology.

Upper Mark West Creek Watershed Planning Forum

There will be an Upper Mark West Creek Watershed Planning Forum at the Alpine Hall on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 (6-7:30 pm).

For more information, please read the event flyer or contact Scantor@sotoyomercd.org for workshop details.

Upcoming Events