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The news on your RCD's latest efforts to
conserve and protect our most valued natural resources, support a thriving agricultural community and promote a
sustainable local economy.
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Outdoor Education Brings Young Conservationists "Full Circle"
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The TEAM field trip program provided free of cost to under-served schools throughout Sonoma County is teaching an important concept to our young conservationists. Third, fourth and fifth graders visit the Dutton Apple Ranch in north Sebastopol and Gilardi Ranch just outside the town of Bodega. These properties are preserved for agriculture forever by an easement with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Students are taught that the easement doesn't just bring farmers into an agreement with the County; it brings them onto a team, a team made of scientists, land managers, conservationists, policy makers and the voters of Sonoma County who voted the District into being.
This big team is part of why the program is called TEAM, or Teaching Environmental and Agricultural Memories.
Students study the lives of busy native bees at the apple ranch and relay race to process local apples into products like apple sauce; in Bodega they learn the many threats to our endangered coho salmon (from seasonal drought to otters!) and evaluate salmon habitat in Salmon Creek. Students learn that these ag properties are vital for more than agriculture. They also play a role in conserving many natural resources.
And as part of the team, students see that their sales-tax dollars come back to their community in the form of saved land, local food and improved wildlife habitat.
The TEAM field trips are funded by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.
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News about the Santa Rosa Plain GSA
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Santa Rosa Plain GSA Public Hearing
Thursday, June 1, 5:30 p.m.
Santa Rosa Utilities Field Office
35 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa
Gold Ridge RCD invites the public to attend the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Board's first meeting, June 1 in Santa Rosa, of which Gold RidgeRCD is a member. This meeting includes a public hearing. Public hearings are scheduled to consider designating three local agencies to be responsible for ensuring groundwater is available now and into the future.
The hearings are one item on the agenda of the first meeting of the Santa Rosa Plain GSA. The agency was formed to meet the requirements of California’s historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which went into effect in 2015. The public hearings will include an opportunity for members of the public to speak. The meetings will also include the election of the GSA officers, administration of the GSAs, and the advisory committee process. See the full meeting agenda and more details.
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Apply to the Gold Ridge RCD Appointee to
the Santa Rosa Plain GSA Advisory Committee
Applications due June 23, 2017
The Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (RCD) has the ability to appoint one member to the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SRPGSA) Advisory Committee. The Gold Ridge RCD would like to appoint a groundwater user within our District who is reliant on and knowledgeable of groundwater in the Santa Rosa Plain Basin. If no applicants are suitable, the Board may appoint one of the RCD staff to serve in this role; however, it is the preference of the RCD that a community member to take this seat.
Click to apply.
Apply to the SRPGSA's Seven Interest-Based Seats
There will also be an opportunity to apply directly to the SRPGSA for the seven interest-based seats anticipated to be announced after the first SRPGSA Board Meeting on
June 1, 2017.
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Job Opportunity:
Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Administrative Specialist
The Gold Ridge RCD seeks applicants to fill the Santa Rosa Plain GSA Administrative Specialist position. This position is responsible for assisting with GSA Board meetings, coordinating the Advisory Committee. maintaining public records, and more.
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Join the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center at:
"California Rangeland Day"
Saturday June 3rd, 8am-2pm
in partnership with the California Rangeland Coalition
Join UCCE, RCDs, researchers and ranchers on this tour of the beautiful UC Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) to better understand the innovations and challenges on rangelands in Northern California. This event is part of an ongoing series hosted by the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition as part of their “Celebrating the Diversity of California’s Rangelands and Ranching”
series. This day is designed for land managers, ranchers, agencies, non-profits and all those with a stake in the future of our rangeland habitat.
8:30am-9am: Coffee, welcome, overview of the day including brief summary of research conducted at HREC and overview of research of interest to California rangelands - Dr. Kim Rodrigues, UC HREC Director
9am-10:30am:
- Tracing the microbially-mediate fate of root carbon in CA grassland soil - Katerina Estera, ESPM, UC Berkeley
- Initial Efficacy indicators for not-lethal tools at HREC and future plans for research - Alex McInturff, ESPM, UC Berkeley
- Integrated Management of goatgrass and medusahead on invaded annual grasslands - Travis Bean, UC Riverside, CE Assistant Weed Science Specialist
- Carbon footprint of CA sheep production - Holland Dougherty
- What does Carbon Farming mean for your ranch and how to do it - Kari Wester, Sonoma County Resource Conservation District
10:30am- 1:30: Driving tour of HREC, including lunch (provided) in the field
1:30-2pm: Wrap up of the day at Shippey Hall
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Take Part in a Cover Crop Survey
Cover crops can improve soil health, conserve resources and improve farm profitability. Now, your experience with what works and doesn't work can help shape the future of cover crop initiatives nationwide. Farmers who plant cover crops, used to plant cover crops, or have never tried cover crops are all encouraged to take this short survey, now in its fifth year. The survey is being conducted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE), and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), with help from Penton Media through their Corn and Soybean Digest publication.
Click here to access the survey.
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Funding Opportunities:
CalRecycle Farm and Ranch Cleanup and Abatement Program
The program assists farms and ranches with the clean up of illegal dumped waste, including tires, car parts, furniture, lumber, and marijuana. Full instructions and application guidelines will not be online until mid July 2017. The application due dates will tentatively be August 24, 2017, November 3, 2017 and February 6, 2018. Learn more here: Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement
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PG&E Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program - June 7th
PG&E is hosting an Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program Seminar on June 7th at St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa.
This seminar will teach attendees how to evaluate energy efficiency for agricultural pumps.
RSVP required.
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If you would like to support programs like these with your donation,
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