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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In this month's edition:
- Excellence in Resource Conservation award
- Funding for salmonid restoration
- Upcoming workshops for winegrape growers
- Open enrollment for conservation easement program
Partner news and events:
- Hedgerow and Farmscaping Manual
- Forestry Workshop: Hiring Professionals
- Pasture Raised Pigs Disease Risk Management
- Spring Farm Tours
- Ag Listening Session with Supervisor Hopkins
- Living with Fire in CA Coast Ranges: A Symposium
- Russian River Tributary and Beaches Cleanups
- and more...
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Gold Ridge RCD Recognized at
Green California Summit
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On April 9, Gold Ridge RCD was presented with the an award
in the category of Resource Conservation
at the
Green California Summit
’s Leadership Award for its Climate Change Resiliency for Agriculture program. The Green California Summit's Leadership Award Ceremony
is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate successful public sector projects implemented in California.
The Gold Ridge RCD's carbon farm planning, healthy soils, water conservation and alternative water sourcing programs and have been instrumental in preparing western Sonoma County farmers for climate change.
Thank you to the Green California Summit for this recognition, and hats off to all the state's RCDs, which are working so hard to protect our incredible natural resources.
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Gold Ridge RCD Receives Funding for
Salmonid Restoration Projects
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recently announced that it will fund three salmonid habitat enhancement projects proposed by Gold Ridge RCD through its Fisheries Restoration Program:
Lower Green Vineyard Dam Removal Projects, Sebastopol, CA
Two projects seek to remove two concrete dams spanning lower Green Valley Creek. In additional to dam removal, the projects will also install large wood structures to improve fish passage and rearing for juvenile and adult coho salmon and steelhead trout. Green Valley Creek is a tributary to the Russian River, confluencing with the river in Forestville, CA.
Dutch Bill Creek Water Conservation Design Project, Occidental, CA
The project will complete 100% engineered designs and water rights change petitions for a water conservation project to address diversion of both surface and spring water from Redwood Gulch, a tributary of Dutch Bill Creek, for both potable and non-potable uses at the Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds. Dutch Bill Creek is a tributary to the Russian River, confluencing with the river in Monte Rio, CA.
Altogether, these awards are expected to amount to just over $495,000. Statewide, the department awarded $13.9 million in funds for anadromous salmonid restoration projects. CDFW has funded numerous projects for improving and monitoring salmonid habitat in Salmon Creek and tributaries to the Russian River since the effort to protect and restore salmonid fisheries began in the 1990s. These funds are critical to support salmonids in their continuously changing environment.
According to CDFW, "The 38 approved projects will further the objectives of state and federal fisheries recovery plans, including removing barriers to fish migration, restoring riparian habitat, monitoring of listed populations, and creating a more resilient and sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality and habitat) that can better withstand drought conditions. These projects further the goals of California’s Water Action Plan and CDFW’s State Wildlife Action Plan, as well as addressing limiting factors specified in state and federal recovery plans."
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Upcoming Workshops
for Winegrape Growers
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The following events are coordinated by
the North Coast Soil Health Hub
--a network of farmers and farm advisers to share successes, challenges, and needs related to building soil health. The North Coast Soil Health Hub was created by the Mendocino County, Napa County, Sonoma and Gold Ridge RCDs with funding from CA Department of Food and Agriculture.
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Canceled
:
May 1st: Sonoma Winegrower’s Annual Sustainable Winegrowing Field Day
Shone Farm, 7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville, CA 95436, 8:00am-1:30pm
We apologize for the cancellation of this event. We are investigating options for scheduling a similar event in its place. Keep in touch for news on future events and workshops.
May 3: Enhancing Soil Health in Vineyards
8:30am-1pm at Gamble Ranch, Yountville, CA, $25 Registration Fee
Join Napa County RCD in a workshop focused on improving the soil health of Napa County vineyards.
Learn the basics of soil health and what that means for vineyard productivity, sustainability, and resiliency to climate change.
Training topics: Science of soil health; interpreting soil health indicators; practices that improve soil health; p
anel discussion featuring local growers’ perspective on soil health;
North Coast Soil Health Hub, and field demonstration of soil sampling techniques.
Registration includes lunch and a field tour. To RSVP, contact Anna@NapaRCD.org.
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Open Enrollment for NRCS' Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
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Attention, landowners interested in applying for agricultural conservation easements:
The Gold Ridge RCD and its Regional Conservation Partnership Program partners are pleased to announce an open enrollment period for submitting applications to the USDA's NRCS for an agricultural conservation easement. For information on entity, landowner, and land eligibility, and application materials for ACEP-ALE, including the Ranking Criteria, visit the
Sonoma County Venture Conservation Partnership web page
.
The application deadline is April 30, 2018.
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Updated Manual: Hedgerow and Farmscaping for CA Agriculture, a Resource Guide for Farmers
Sonoma County Forest Working Group,
April 19,12-1pm, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space,
Learn More >>
Petaluma Bounty Farm 8th Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser
Petaluma Bounty
,
April 22, 9am-3pm, Petaluma Bounty Farm,
Learn More >>
Small-scale Pasture-raised Pigs Disease Risk Management Workshop
Spring Farm Tours: Blossoms, Bees & Barnyard Babies,
Support the North Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council in
the Human Race
!
North Coast RC&DC,
Donate before the event on April 28,
Learn More >>
Living with Fire in California's Coast Ranges: A Symposium
Sonoma State University
May 7-9, SSU Student Center,
Learn More >>
Marin/Sonoma Agricultural Listening Session & Round Table
Supervisors Hopkins and Rabbitt and Marin Supervisor Rodoni,
WILD Napa Lecture Series
Napa RCD,
Various topics on wildlife, various upcoming dates,
Learn More >>
Russian River Tributary and Beaches Cleanups
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If you would like to support programs like these with your donation,
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