- Sonoma Mountain Stormwater Management and Rainwater Storage Project
- 2021-2022 Annual Report
- Meet our new Associate Director
- We're hiring
- Upcoming workshops, webinars and conferences
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"We've worked with the RCD staff since 2017 and we have appreciated their professionalism, eye for detail and true passion for their projects. Our final project has exceeded our expectations and has met our ongoing conservation goals. It's only mid January and our 200,000 gallon tank is already full! I feel sharing the RCD's purpose and the integral part it plays in our county is worth sharing with like minded residents."
Margaret Davis,
Landowner
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Sonoma Mountain Stormwater Management and Rainwater Storage Project
Reducing stormwater runoff to Washington Creek, a tributary to the Petaluma River in southern Sonoma County, is just one of the benefits of the recently installed rainwater storage project on this Sonoma Mountain equine facility. Current peak flows leaving the property have caused significant erosion along the channels of Washington Creek. Thanks to dedicated land stewards, the Davis Family collaborated with the Sonoma RCD team to design, engineer, and install rainwater storage tanks totaling 200,000 gallons.
The tanks are filled from the roofs of several large structures around the property including barns and horse arenas. Gutters and downspouts were already in place on these structures, which were used to tie into the rainwater storage system. Complementing the installation of the rainwater storage tanks, we're developing a native planting plan for the property, with vegetated swales designed to slow, spread, and sink stormwater that is not captured in the tanks. Plants will be irrigated and established using the same water stored in the tanks.
"This was a great project with a great landowner and grant partner in DOC, to install a large tank that has a positive impact to conserving multiple resources in benefit to nature and the ag enterprise present," said Tom Hammond, SRCD Engineer.
In addition to stormwater management benefits, this project provides drought resilience and water security benefits for the property, equine operation, and watershed. The current water system comes from two wells that have very limited capacity. The water quality is so poor that a reverse osmosis treatment system is required and for every gallon of treated water generated, two gallons of water needs to be pulled from the aquifer. Therefore, by providing water storage for 200,000 gallons, 400,000 gallons of water is being conserved in the aquifer. The stored rainwater will be used for on site irrigation, livestock water, and equine facility maintenance. Additionally, the stored water will be available for fire protection, an important community benefit given the property’s position in the hills above Petaluma, a city of over 60,000 people.
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The work upon which this publication is based was funded in whole or in part through a grant awarded by the California Department of Conservation with funds from the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018.
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2021-2022 Annual Report released
The past year has been eventful as ever. Our team celebrated both professional milestones and personal adventures. We said bittersweet goodbyes and joyfully welcomed new staff and board members. And true to form, we accomplished important conservation outcomes on the ground and in our community. The pages of this report reflect some of our major strategic efforts over the past year: expanding our reach in the community, helping build resilience across the landscape, and leveraging farms to fight climate change. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to local conservation.
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Chris Peterson, Associate Director
We are thrilled to welcome Chris Peterson as one of the five new Associate Directors of our Board voted in this fall. Chris Peterson was raised in the Bay Area watched the transformation of orchards to office buildings. She received a degree in architecture from University of Oregon focusing on sustainability. Retired from residential and commercial work, she now consults. Residing in the Mark West Watershed for 37 years, she has been an active participant in local restoration projects, including those done by the RCD. A co-founder of the Junior League of Napa Sonoma and the Santa Rosa Charter School, she brings board, agency and non-profit experience. Welcome to the RCD team Chris!
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2022 Ag Census of Agriculture is here!
This is a message from USDA
The ag census is the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and territory. By completing the survey, producers across the nation can tell their story and help generate impactful opportunities that better serve them and future generations. It is a powerful voice for U.S. agriculture.
You need only respond once, whether securely online or by mail. The online option offers timesaving features ideal for busy producers. All responses are due Feb. 6, 2023. Farm operations of all sizes, urban and rural, which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products in 2022, are included in the ag census. Changes for 2022 include new questions about precision agriculture, hemp production, hair sheep, and updates to internet access questions. The data not only influence business and supply chain logistics, they inform policy and program decisions that directly impact producers, ag operations, and communities across the United States. For the latest news and updates about the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.
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California Small & Underserved Producers (CUSP) Drought Funding
Direct-to-Producer Opportunity through California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD)
CDFA has awarded CARCD $1M to administer drought relief reimbursement funds to small/underserved producers in your networks beginning now through 2024. 50% of funds will be awarded to socially disadvantaged farmers, immigrant farmers, and undocumented farmers. Socially disadvantaged farmer means a farmer who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group, these groups include all of the following: (1) African Americans (2) Native American Indians (3) Alaskan Natives (4) Hispanics (5) Asian Americans (6) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Small farmers are defined as making less than $400,000 in gross farm sales.
Applications are available as Google Forms in multiple languages:
Need the form in another language? Please reach out to Emily-Smet@carcd.org. If you would like a printed application for a producer, please reach out to Emily Smet at Emily-Smet@CARCD.org for a PDF copy for the desired language. Printed forms can be scanned and emailed to Emily-Smet@CARCD.org.
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Funding Cycles & Amounts
The first cycle will begin Oct. 15, 2022 and end February 15, 2023 (EXTENDED DEADLINE). CARCD will offer 4 funding cycles - one fall/winter and one spring/summer - between 2022 - 2024. Applications will be open for 3 months, during which time applications will be reviewed and awards disbursed monthly. After each funding cycle ends, the remaining funds will be assessed and the amount available for the next cycle will be determined and communicated via email and webpage (yet-to-be-developed). Grant amounts will be $1,000 min and $20,000 max. Producers may only receive awards every 12 months - CARCD will cross-check applicants with CDFA to ensure no repeat funds are awarded inside of that time period. Producers can expect to receive the award notice within the first two weeks of the 1st month following their application and the award check by the first week of the 2nd month following their application.
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Post-fire gully and headcut repair demonstration project at Pepperwood Preserve
We're pleased to share a new video demonstrating five different types of headcut and gully repair erosion control practices in a post-fire landscape. Such gullies and headcuts are common across many Sonoma County landscapes, and the methods demonstrated can be implemented by land owners and mangers on their own properties. This demonstration project was funded through the State Water Resources Control Board’s 319h Grant program and took place in September 2022 at the Pepperwood Preserve in Santa Rosa, California. Sonoma Resource Conservation District designed and oversaw the implementation of the project with assistance from Prunuske Chatham, Inc. The project was implemented by Spye General Engineering.
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Petaluma Equine Water Quality Regulations Informational Webinar
Presented by Sonoma RCD
Past Event: View recording here!
Sonoma RCD is hosting an informational webinar on recent water quality regulations that apply to commercial equine facilities in the Petaluma River Watershed. At the session you’ll hear from representatives from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding overview and requirements for their Waste Discharge Requirements for Confined Animal Facilities (WDR CAF) and how the RCD can provide assistance with this permit compliance. We will also have time for questions from attendees. This information session will be recorded and posted to SRCD’s website and YouTube channel for future viewing for those who cannot attend. If you have any questions please contact Kari Wester, Project Manager at kwester@sonomarcd.org
Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the State Water Resources Control Board under the Federal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program (Clean Water Act Section 319). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the foregoing, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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Pile Burning Workshop
Presented by UCCE
Part One: January 31, 2023 webinar
Part Two: TBD In-person
Winter can be a great time pile burning brush and other woody fuels around your home. Learning how to construct and prepare hand piles takes skill and an understanding of safety and weather considerations to minimize the risk of escape. Click on flyer to view and download.
Questions? Contact Katie Low at katlow@ucanr.edu
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The Garden Sink: Practical Practices to Capture Rainwater and Carbon in an Urban Setting
Presented by the Russian River Watershed Association
February 7, 2023 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM in-person
Save the date! Our Engineer Jessica Pollitz will be presenting on rainwater catchment along with several other excellent panelists. Registration coming soon. Learn more here: Russian River-Friendly Landscaping – Russian River Watershed Association
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Save the Date: California Forest Stewardship Workshop
Presented by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
January 19, 2023 - March 16, 2023 and in-person Saturday, February 4th in Napa County
Join the workshop to understand and protect your forests by developing a Forest Management Plan. Participants will utilize online resources on their own time to complete learning modules and short activities. Zoom meetings with all participants and presenters will take place once a week on Thursdays, 6-7:30pm. The in-person field day will cover silviculture, forest inventory and mapping activities. Participants who complete the workshop will be eligible for a free site visit with a California Registered Professional Forester. $60 registration fee. For questions, contact Kim Ingram, kcingram@ucanr.edu.
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CARCD 77th Virtual Conference
California Association of Resource Conservation Districts
March 2023
The virtual event will be held throughout the month of March 2023 and will again offer a predictable schedule and will allow for more in-depth learning and discussion of topics introduced during the in-person event. Registration for the virtual component will remain open until March 2023. If you registered for the full conference, you will have access to the virtual component.
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California Small Farm Conference
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
February 26th - March 2nd 2023
Join the small farm community–from growers to market managers to local food advocates–for a week of learning, inspiration and movement building. We’re exciting to bring back the new hybrid conference format featuring over 50 different online workshops, forums and videos as well as multiple in-person gatherings around the state. Stay tuned for more details!
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Executive Director
The Executive Director position offers an exciting opportunity to apply technical, administrative, policy, and collaboration skills to meaningful and impactful conservation work in some of California’s most beautiful landscapes. The Executive Director is the chief administrative officer responsible for managing and directing the operations and programs of the RCD consistent with the mission, strategic direction, and policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board and serves as the primary liaison between the District and agricultural, environmental, and regulatory stakeholders and the public at large.
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Seasonal Conservation Education Assistant
The Seasonal Conservation Education Assistant position offers a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience providing experiential learning opportunities to elementary and high school youth in Sonoma County. Under the direct supervision of the RCD Education and Communications Manager, the Seasonal Conservation Education Assistant will provide seasonal support in the planning, coordination, and implementation of field trips and classroom visits. This position allows for a diverse workload both in the office and the field. In-house and field training will be provided. View and download the full job
announcement below. Closing date February 17, 2023.
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Conservation at Work with LandSmart | | | | |
