The Pythian Road entrance to Hood Mountain Regional Park is open! We've restored access to nearly all the trails closed after October's wildfire. These include trails leading from Pythian Road to the mountain's 2,700-foot summit and Gunsight Rock. The opening gives hikers their first opportunity to see how fire affected the southern half of the park - and how it's healing.
Chocolate lily,
Fritillaria affinis, also known as checker lily
Golden poppies, blue lupine, purple shooting stars, and chocolate lilies. Sonoma County's parks are in bloom! Join our April wildflower walks and discover the season's colors. See what's brightening the fields and woods on North Sonoma and Taylor mountains, search for unique blossoms on Tolay Lake's serpentine hillsides, and learn about the relationship between wildflowers and wildfires at Sonoma Valley and Crane Creek.
In more Hood Mountain news, we want to thank our partners at Sonoma Land Trust for their recent acquisition of 40 acres next to the park.
The rugged property is part of a crucial wildlife corridor and development buffer, and they plan
to donate it to us. The site includes beautiful redwoods and the upper reach of Santa Rosa Creek, where stewards just found steelhead trout for the first time in a decade.
Even if you're pure landlubber, the annual Fisherman's Festival on April 14-15 is worth a visit to Westside Regional Park. This community fundraiser is distinctly Bodega Bay, with wooden boat races, a blessing of the fishing fleet, arts and crafts, live music, kids' activities, Coast Guard demonstrations, and of course, plenty of Sonoma County seafood and wine.
Let's celebrate the children in our community on Dia del Nino/Day of the Child. Join us at Spring Lake's Environmental Discovery Center on April 29 for family hikes, stories, music, crafts, special exhibits, and bilingual activities connecting us to each other and nature. We're one of a dozen agencies hosting Dia del Nino events around the county.
Made the kids' summer plans yet? Our lifeguard, surf, kayak, and science camps offer fun, adventure, and skills-building at Doran Beach, Spring Lake and on the Russian River. New this year are a "Sea Squirts" camp for younger kids and before- and after-care options. Spots are filling fast, so pick your camps soon.