At the March 14th Board of Supervisors meeting, our Board approved an ordinance to prohibit new retail fuel stations and prohibit expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure for existing retail fuel stations. This follows in the footsteps of several other jurisdictions in Sonoma County, including Petaluma and Sebastopol, and has been a priority for myself and Supervisor Hopkins (in our work on the Board's Climate Ad Hoc) for some time.
Spring, and our ongoing rainy season, has me thinking about climate change (though am I ever *not* thinking about climate change?). You may see a common theme across several of the "blurbs" in this month's short-form newsletter, fitting for April, the month in which we celebrate Earth Day.
Continue reading below for announcements, information on upcoming events, and community news!
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Save the Date - The North Bay Zero Waste Symposium will be held on Thursday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the website below to learn more and register!
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Vegetation Management Grant Program 2023 - Grant applications for vegetation management projects open now! The Sonoma County Vegetation Management Grant Program provides resources and grant funding for vegetation management in areas at high-risk of wildfire. Projects funded in past cycles include implementing shaded fuel breaks, increasing grazing and calming zones, and more - all of which are designed to slow or prevent the spread of wildfire in our community. This funding is targeted to support the work of local fire districts, schools, communities with Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Resource Conservation Districts, community groups, nonprofit organizations, licensed foresters, Tribal entities, and technical advisors. Applications are open now through 5pm on April 20, 2023. Learn more and apply at the link below.
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Sign Up for Climate Action and Resiliency Division Newsletter - Are climate issues important to you? The Climate Action and Resiliency Division of Sonoma County’s Administrators Office is offering a new quarterly newsletter featuring the latest updates on climate news in your community! Stay informed about the County’s current work on energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, adaptation and more. Learn about free workshops and other resources to inform your own climate action! The newsletter will be available in both English and Spanish. Follow the link to sign up!
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Saddle Mountain - In early April, Cal Fire and Ag + Open Space will begin conducting pile burning – when dead or otherwise unhealthy vegetation is removed, piled, and burned to remove excess fire fuel - on Saddle Mountain Open Space Preserve. Saddle Mountain saw varying impacts during the 2020 Glass Fire, and in some areas where fire intensity was lower, the fire left a large number of dead understory saplings in otherwise healthy forest areas. This dead material would serve as a highly flammable “ladder fuel” during a future wildfire or prescribed or cultural burn, and could result in the overstory trees being badly damaged. Since 2021, Ag + Open Space has worked with local contractors and consultants under a generous grant from the State Coastal Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program to carefully thin this material and pile it so that it can be burned during low-risk conditions.
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Burning these piles will be an important step towards improving the health and resiliency of the preserve’s habitats, with the goal of maintaining a thriving forest that supports diverse native wildlife and vegetation and provides healthy habitat for culturally and ecologically important species like black oak and rare plants like Napa false indigo. This work will occur intermittently throughout the spring, and only when authorized by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Read more about Ag + Open Space’s work at Saddle Mountain at the link below. |
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Apply to Serve on the Civil Grand Jury - Want to make a difference in Sonoma County? Consider serving on the county’s Civil Grand Jury, which plays an important role in investigating and reporting on local governmental operations to ensure they are being conducted efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of the public.
The Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury is made up of 19 volunteers who dedicate 10 to 15 hours a week to the watchdog body, which operates under the authority of the Sonoma County Superior Court. The results of Grand Jury investigations are contained in reports that lay out the findings of specific problems or issues and make recommendations for solutions.
April 17 is the deadline to apply for a year-long term, which begins in July.
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Charla Comunitaria - Charla Comunitaria is back! Join us for the First District's Spanish-language community town hall on Thursday, April 13th from 6-7pm. Spread the word, and we hope to see you there! View past and future meetings on Facebook and YouTube.
Next meeting: Thursday, April 13th at 6pm
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Springs MAC - Join the Springs Municipal Advisory Council on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 12th at 6:30pm.
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North Sonoma Valley MAC - Join the NSV MAC on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 19th at 5:30pm.
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Sonoma Valley Citizen's Advisory Committee - The Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission advises on local planning projects in the Sonoma Valley, and hears informational items on other areas of interest. Join the SVCAC on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 26th at 6:30pm.
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Susan Gorin, 1st District Supervisor
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