Sonoma Ecology Center

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Sonoma Ecology Center

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The mission of the Sonoma Ecology Center is to work with our community to enhance and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley.

Sonoma Ecology Center works to address challenges related to water supply and quality, open space, rural character, biodiversity, energy, climate change, and a better quality of life for all residents. Since 1990, we’ve worked to increase appreciation and stewardship of Sonoma Valley’s natural heritage and create measurable benefits in areas of land, water, climate change and biodiversity. We envision a future where people, land, water, and wildlife thrive. Our programs include—

Research to understand the condition of Sonoma Valley and the Sonoma Creek watershed, which informs projects and priorities for the ecological health of the region. Education to support sustainable practices and create future leadership for Sonoma Valley. Restoration to repair damage to waterways, natural habitats, and publicly accessible open spaces. Preservation to protect our natural heritage and public lands. We manage Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Sonoma Garden Park, Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve, Montini Open Space Preserve and Sonoma Overlook Trail. Data & Mapping (GIS) Services using technology to manage and share environmental information for greater efficacy and impact.

10/20/2026

Now on The Ecology Blog, we're bringing artistic expression and environmental stewardship into conversation, as we speak with artists in our community about how their relationship with nature and their creative practice inform one another.

In this second installment, Calvin Howell reflects on how his career in ecological restoration and prescribed fire—most recently as a Prescribed Burn Practitioner and Educator with Fire Forward (@111783598842236)—has made him intimately acquainted with the region's most cherished open spaces. Along the way, he started capturing them on canvas.

Read the article https://sonomaecologycenter.org/blog/ecological-by-design-cal

10/19/2026

Someone was bear-y curious about the camera! This mama bear and her cub were out exploring Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, sniffing around and taking in the sights.

Bear behavior at Sugarloaf is changing! We’re seeing cubs in the park again, and bears are leaving their s**t in new places. It’s an exciting sign, and it’s also a reminder that we all need to keep learning about bears so we can share the land we love with them.

The good news is that our bears aren’t habituated to people. They haven’t learned to look for food that’s out of sight, which isn’t true in many other parks. So far, bears haven’t come into the campground, and you can help keep it that way. Store your food, trash, and scented items in your vehicle or a bear box, and keep them out of sight. Together, we can keep our wildlife wild!

10/16/2026

Support local agriculture. Support your local pollinators. Support your home.

See you tomorrow at the Harvest Market! We're here every Saturday at the Strawbale Barn from 9:00 am-1:00 pm!

Sonoma Garden Park is located at 19996 7th Street E, Sonoma.

Photo courtesy of Austin Noble

10/15/2026

Southern California has already seen the impacts of unusual ocean conditions and powerful storms this past week, bringing coastal flooding and renewed concerns about what lies ahead. With a potentially historic El Niño building toward winter, what could this mean for Sonoma Valley’s water supply, watersheds, and flood risk?

In our latest Ecology Blog, Sonoma Ecology Center Senior Scientist Steven Lee explores the conditions shaping our region’s water future and what we should be watching as the season unfolds.

Read the full story on The Ecology Blog https://sonomaecologycenter.org/blog/water-update-from-steven-lee

Photo courtesy of Kristin Russell

10/14/2026

Did you know when you see a bee buzzing from flower to flower, they’re doing more than just enjoying the blooms? Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, help plants reproduce and support the ecosystems and food systems we all depend on. In fact, bees transport pollen for almost all of California’s 6,000 flowering plant species–including those that produce much of the food we eat.

By planting a diversity of pollinator-friendly plants, you can help provide food and habitat for these essential creatures right at home.

And choosing California native plants can make your garden even more beneficial for local wildlife. Head to Sonoma Garden Park’s Native Plant Nursery on October 17 for our Fall Native Plant Sale–a perfect opportunity to add pollinator-friendly California native plants to your garden!

Visit the link in our bio to learn more!

10/13/2026

Get lost in the botanical wonderland of Montini Open Space Preserve!

During this FREE guided walk, we'll see the emergence of herbaceous vegetation and how it varies by site, as well as the return of vegetation to areas that burned during the June 2025 prescribed fire treatment, conducted by Sonoma Valley Fire District in collaboration with Sonoma Ecology Center.

Due to occasionally steep trails and uneven footing, this hike is rated intermediate; however, frequent pauses will allow hikers to catch their breath.

Friday, October 30 from 9:00 am-11:30 am

Sign up https://sec.regfox.com/montini-walk-103026

10/09/2026

We'll see you at the Glen Ellen Village Fair on Sunday!

Come stop by our table to say hi, meet our team, learn more about the work we do to care for Sonoma Valley, and pick up some resources to take home.

We'll have information about our programs and projects and even wildlife coloring pages for kids to enjoy! Come say hello–we'd love to see you there!

10/08/2026

What does it look like to care for the land in ways that support fire resilience? Join Resilient Landscape Coalition and Safer West County for a FREE, hands-on, place-based workshop exploring how thoughtful land stewardship can help communities live more safely with wildfire.

What You'll Learn
–How land stewardship practices can contribute to fire resilience
–What we can learn from the Hampton Fire Road project
–How to use the Tending the Land online guide to navigate land stewardship decisions
–Practical considerations for caring for wildland in West Sonoma County

Sunday, October 18 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: Anderson Hall, 101 Lakeside Ave, Camp Meeker, CA 95419

Resilient Landscapes Coalition is a partnership of Sonoma Ecology Center, UC Master Gardener Program, The Habitat Corridor Project, and Fire Safe Sonoma.

Learn more and register by visiting our calendar of events https://sonomaecologycenter.org/events

10/06/2026

Join us Saturday, October 17 for our Fall Native Plant Sale!

Add beauty, habitat, and a little more life to your garden with 50+ pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant California native perennials, shrubs, and trees–perfect for creating a garden that supports the birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife that call Sonoma home.

This is one of only two times per year that our Native Plant Nursery is open on the weekend! The Native Plant Sale is happening at the same time as Sonoma Garden Park's Saturday Harvest Market–so you can shop for your garden and your table at the same time!

Mark your calendars and help us spread the word–every plant sold supports our community pollinators, fire resilience, and Sonoma Ecology Center's environmental restoration work throughout Sonoma Valley.

Fall Native Plant Sale
Saturday, October 17
9:00 am-3:00 pm
Native Plant Nursery at Sonoma Garden Park
19996 7th St E, Sonoma

Photos by Austin Noble

10/05/2026

That's a wrap on the 2026 Harvest Festival!

What a beautiful day of community. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the autumn season with us–neighbors, families, volunteers, vendors, community partners, and everyone who helped make the day so special.

From connecting with friends and neighbors to celebrating local food, music, nature-based activities, and the people who care for our community, Harvest Festival was a wonderful reminder of what can grow when we come together.

Thank you for showing up, sharing the joy, and making Sonoma Garden Park such a vibrant place for our community. We're already looking forward to next year!

Swipe through to see just a few of the many wonderful memories of the day!

Photos courtesy of Austin Noble

Address

461 7th Street W
Sonoma, CA
95476

Website

http://www.sonomaecologycenter.org/

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