PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Sonoma Ecology Center



Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) leads research, education, and restoration to enhance the biodiversity, sustainability, and appreciation of Sonoma Valley. They have been working on this mission since 1990. Much of the land in Sonoma Valley is privately owned and SEC’s restoration team works with many landowners and volunteers on projects that improve the streams and land in this vibrant watershed.

The restoration team oversees weed management projects for volunteers along Sonoma Creek and Nathanson Creek and at the Montini Preserve, Van Hoosear Wildlife Preserve and in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Invasive plants being targeted include French broom, thistles ( Italian, purple star and yellow star), English Ivy, Armenian blackberry, wild radish, harding grass, and giant reed. Volunteers and staff contribute to post-fire fuel reduction by prioritizing and removing invasive plants that threaten habitat and act as understory ladder fuels. 

In addition to pulling weeds in private and public lands, the restoration team grows thousands of native plants and trees for restoration with the help of volunteers in the newly established Sonoma Native Nursery located at the Sonoma Garden Park. Volunteer at the nursery every Friday from 9 am -1 pm or join selected dates to explore and restore the various preserves.

SEC also runs Senderos Naturales – a bilingual family-focused program to explore conservation lands and parks. Senderos Naturales es un programa bilingüe que explora lugares naturales en español y inglés. Hacen caminatas, remando, jardinería, camping, y proyectos artísticas para toda la familia en tierras conservadas y parques.

Learn more about all of the ways you can get involved with the Restoration team at Sonoma Ecology Center and get out into nature!