Sonoma Land Trust

This International Women’s Day we’re celebrating women and their achievements in science and conservation. We were fortunate to get to know Dr. Frances Conley when she and her husband moved to The Sea Ranch in 2000. She was an accomplished neurosurgeon, feminist trailblazer, and Sonoma Land Trust Legacy League member. Three amazing things to celebrate about Frances: ?? She shattered glass ceilings by being the first female surgical resident at Stanford Medicine and their first female tenured professor of neurosurgery—the first woman at any U.S. medical school to hold that position! ?? She brought new procedures to neurosurgery such as lumbar spine fusions used to connect vertebrae to ease pain and carotid endarterectomies, which cleared plaque from arteries supplying blood to the brain. ??♀? As a dedicated distance runner, she decided she wanted to run Bay to Breakers—when women weren’t allowed to enter. She registered under the name Francis and ran in a khaki raincoat. The following year, in 1971, women were allowed to enter and she became the first female winner of Bay to Breakers! Frances led a remarkable life, driven by her unwavering commitment to gender equity, especially in medicine. When she passed away in August of 2024, she left a gift to Sonoma Land Trust to protect the land and help ensure the natural beauty and biodiversity of Sonoma County into the future. Her legacy of passion, purpose, and inspiring leadership will be felt by us, but especially for the women who follow in her footsteps. #WomensHistoryMonth #Internationalwomensday #WomenEmpowerment #womenshistory

Are you interested in a career in STEM, conservation, or the environment? Dig into environmental careers at Sonoma Environmental Education Collaborative’s (SEEC) annual Career Expo on Saturday, March 15 from 10am - 2pm at Chop’s Teen Club. High school students+ register now for this free event at: https://lnkd.in/g4e3XMYe Sonoma County Ag + Open Space District Sonoma County Water Agency Community Foundation Sonoma County

March weather may be difficult to predict, but it would take a lot to keep us from wandering for wildflowers! If you are looking for a fun way to spend time outdoors reconnecting with nature and meeting new friends, join us for one of our upcoming walks at Sears Point, Glen Oaks Ranch, Pole Mountain, or Live Oaks Ranch. Be sure to sign up now because they’re sure to fill fast! ?? Our outings are Free of Charge thanks to the voter-supported quarter-cent sales tax that funds Sonoma County Ag + Open Space District programs. Register today at https://lnkd.in/g82VqrB8 #naturewalk #getoutsideandexplore #SonomaCounty

We are excited to welcome our first Conservation Easement Intern, Julian Goldberg to the Sonoma Land Trust team! Growing up in Sonoma County, Julian became passionate about conservation and protecting our lands by spending time hiking, exploring local landscapes, and through photography. Currently he is studying Natural Science at Santa Rosa Junior College and has plans to transfer to Sonoma State University for a degree in Environmental Science. Julian is “excited to contribute to Sonoma Land Trust and help preserve the landscapes that make this region so special.” As the Conservation Easement Intern, he is gaining hands-on experience learning more about the importance of conservation easements, conducting monitoring visits, and creating a mock conservation easement report to use in his professional portfolio. In his first month as an intern, Julian has been surprised to learn how “the land is protected forever through a conservation easement regardless of who owns it.” Our internship programs are a great place for passionate nature lovers to engage with and support Sonoma Land Trust’s mission by connecting our community with the outdoors. Learn more at https://ow.ly/YTHc50V5Gst Sonoma State University Santa Rosa Junior College #SonomaLandTrust #ExploringNature #NaturePrograms

Meet Jake and Toni, SLT members who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that drives meaningful change. Their passion for community empowerment and land conservation fuels their inspiring story. From urban upbringings with limited access to nature, they have become champions for preserving Sonoma County’s open spaces and supporting the global 30x30 campaign. They believe small actions, like spreading awareness about local conservation efforts, can ripple out to create a significant impact. In our January eNews, discover how their work launching Nolo, a self-help legal service company, paired with advocacy and storytelling, created a ripple effect, inspiring others to protect the beauty and resilience of our natural world. Read more at: https://ow.ly/EnKA50V4ugy #SonomaLandTrust #ForceForNature #protectingnature #MemberSupported

For the California red-legged frog, timing is everything! Winter rains provide the pond water for their nurseries; however, if those ponds don't dry up, their primary predator, the American bullfrog, can move in. To prevent bullfrogs from becoming established, seasonal ponds that dry each fall are required. This is because to reproduce, bullfrog tadpoles usually require two winters in water to mature, whereas red-legged frog tadpoles will mature into adult frogs in the same year. Read more to find out how we are protecting the red-legged frog through habitat restoration. https://ow.ly/UVoi50V2taG #WildlifeWednesday #californiaredlegged frogs #frogs

Looking to make meaningful connections in the Bay Area's environmental sector? Read this great article in Bay Nature Institute written by Ariana Rickard (our Public Policy and Funding Program Manager), Sejal Choksi-Chugh, and Olivia White Lopez. These three women are building community and recently launched the Bay Area chapter for Environmental Professionals of Color (EPOC) which now has 150 members! Their article highlights various affinity groups and empowering DEI initiatives in the Bay Area. Having a space to connect with people who share your identity and values is more important than ever. Ariana is doing fabulous work everywhere she goes, and she’s a vital part of the Sonoma Land Trust team. Read the article to learn more and join an affinity group that speaks to you and your identity! https://ow.ly/8LZL50UZWJu #EmpoweringCommunities #EmbraceEquity #natureforall

Meet the climate scientist you should know about! Dr. Daniel Swain is a climate scientist who focuses on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events on a warming planet. During this webinar, he'll dive into climate meteorology and also explain how the experience of near-coastal denizens may differ from those farther inland. We're eager for Dr. Swain to share his knowledge and break it down for us in our next Language of the Land webinar on February 26 at 6pm. ?? Spanish interpretation will be available. Register today for this free online webinar at https://ow.ly/hKzM50UZFbP @dlswain #SonomaLandTrust #Languageoftheland #FreeWebinar #ClimateAction

We are thrilled to announce a partnership with Save the Redwoods League to protect 1,517 acres in the Monte Rio Redwoods. Conserving the property will link a contiguous protected area of more than 22,000 acres (more than 34 square miles) of forest, wildlife corridors, watersheds, and parklands from the Sonoma coast inland to the Bohemian Highway and north to Jenner Headlands. This acquisition will conserve the largest remaining unprotected acreage of redwoods in Sonoma County south of the Russian River. Following the purchase from the Mendocino Redwood Company LLC in May, the property will be transferred to Sonoma County Regional Parks for long-term stewardship and to expand Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. Plans for public access will be decided after the property transfers, and announcements will be made in late Summer 2025 by Regional Parks. Read more about it on our website! https://ow.ly/cZ7b50UZE12 #SonomaCounty #conservation #monterio #savetheredwoods

Today, we celebrate the innumerable contributions women have made in science that have helped better our world. Our youth programs support gender equality in the sciences and are another step we’re taking toward building a better future for us all. In her third year on our Conservation Council, Maria has already made an impact on the natural world in Sonoma County by setting up wildlife cameras, tracking animal movements and weather patterns, and learning about biodiversity, which aids in our conservation work. As she continues her education in Environmental Science, she’s excited to expand her impact and make change on a global scale. The magic of Maria’s grandmother’s garden sparked her appreciation for both science and the environment, which has driven her passion for Environmental Science in wanting to “protect the enchantment of the world’s environments, to cultivate it." Maria loves how science stems from creativity, and how “so many aspects of our lives in contemporary society have tried to pressure us to shy away from being curious, to not question the world around us, why certain decisions are being made, but the whole purpose of science is just the opposite. Being able to wonder is my favorite thing about science.” We are excited for Maria’s future and the small part we have been able to play in her experiences with the Conservation Council. The Conservation Council is made up of Sonoma County high school students who participate in scientific research and conservation efforts where they gain real-world experience, learn tangible skills, and graduate with a heightened awareness of STEM careers and a deeper understanding of the scientific process and the world we live in. Learn more at https://ow.ly/QfaF50UYaLF #internationalwomenandgirlsinscienceday #BreakingBarriers #STEMEquality #ScienceForAll ????