Ready to Act
Established in 1996, LandPaths is a nonprofit community conservation organization with the mission of fostering a love of the land in Sonoma County.
Diverse by design, we achieve this through three core initiatives:
- Rooting youth in nature
- Branching out conservation for everyone
- Growing community with nature
Click here to learn how we are responding to Covid-19.
Fire Recovery for the Land & People
Our Rancho Mark West and Riddell Preserves partially burned in the Glass and Walbridge Fires. Riddell is scarred by two miles of bulldozed fire breaks. Hundreds of families are impacted, have lost homes, or are displaced from these fires.
We are launching a new Fire Recovery for the Land and People effort to provide recovery and healing, right now, for the land and people of Sonoma County.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 for essential erosion control and rebuilding efforts at our two beloved preserves, and to provide scholarships to youth from fire-impacted families to experience the healing and solace of time spent outside through new Nourished by Nature programs. Learn more here, or donate today.
Our Initiatives
Get Kids Outside
Rooting Youth in Nature
Play in nature reduces stress, promotes healthy sleep, enhances creativity and self-respect in children. Learning in nature has been proven to improve academic achievement, problem solving, social awareness and enthusiasm for school.
We reduce the barriers and expand opportunities to get outside so that more children can reap the benefits found in nature.
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Branching Out Conservation for Everyone
We expand the percentage of people in Sonoma County who benefit from healthy land, understand the value of nature, and cultivate a sense of reciprocity with the environment. We welcome new perspectives and believe it is our job to expand the conservation movement to the larger community.
Community Care
Growing Community with Nature
As we face a climate crisis, LandPaths more than ever believes in the importance of forging essential connections between people and the land. From stewardship opportunities to multi-day treks across the land to community gardens and collective gatherings in nature, we address community care from many angles. Every one equally important.
Featured Outings
Nourished by Nature: For Grades 1 to 6
Dates: October 21, 28 + November 4, 11 2020
Time: 9am to 3pm
Leaders: LandPaths’ Bilingual Field Specialists
Location: Bohemia Ecological Preserve or Bayer Farm
Ages: Grades 1 to 6
Inspired by our “In Our Own BackYard” (IOOBY) environmental education program, we will host a small group of explorers who are eager to get outside, get their hands dirty, and make new friends! We will learn how to grow healthy food, discover pollinators and decomposers, and engage in hands-on scientific exploration. After the morning lessons and lunch, the afternoon will consist of nature games, journaling, and creative arts.
Read LandPaths Youth Programs Covid 19 Protocols Here.
Afterschool Music, Movement and Creativity
Dates: October 27 – November 20, 2020
Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Time: 3pm to 5pm
Leaders: LandPaths’ Education Field Specialists
Location: Bayer Farm, Santa Rosa
Cost: $300 w/ scholarships available!
Fire Recovery Volunteer Stewardship Day at Riddell Preserve
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Time: 9am to 3pm
Leaders: Erin Mulligan and Elias Lopez, Landpaths’ stewardship staff
Location: Riddell Preserve, Healdsburg
Volunteers will help install erosion control materials, such as wattles and jute netting, on the dozer lines created during the Walbridge fire. The goal is to stop sediment from entering our watersheds. Volunteers will be able to leave before 3 if needed.
No experience necessary but the workday will require light hiking over uneven terrain.
REGISTER HEREStewardship Workday at Ocean Song
Date: Wednesday, November 4 2020
Time: 9am to 1pm
Leaders: Erin Mulligan and Elias Lopez, Landpaths’ stewardship staff
Location: Ocean Song Preserve
Come lend a hand at LandPaths’ newest preserve! With it’s beautiful native grasslands, lush gardens, oak woodlands, and views for miles, Ocean Song is an ecological and cultural treasure outside of Occidental. Join us for a morning of stewardship and community at this beautiful preserve!
Tasks may include opening a new trail, fuel reduction work, or grassland restoration. No experience necessary but due to covid-19 protocols we ask that you please bring your own work gloves and tools if you have them. We will have clean extras if you do not. Useful tools for this workday include loppers, hand saws, mcleods/metal rakes, and pole saws. No power tools please.
Register HereStories + News
Stories from the Field
A Wild Foraging Adventure
September 25, 2020
Tags: Ocean Song, Treks, TrekSonoma
At the end of August, Jesica Rodriguez participated in TrekSonoma’s Wild Foraging Adventure at LandPaths’ Ocean Song Preserve. Located on the traditional homeland of the Coast Miwok, …
Fire, Grief, and Recovery at Riddell
September 4, 2020
Tags: community care, community resilience, growing community with nature, Healdsburg, riddell preserve, walbridge fire, wildfire
As the Walbridge fire bore down on Riddell, LandPaths’ 400-acre preserve west of Healdsburg, firefighters carefully swept the deck of the dry leaf litter around Steve’s cabin. The simple …
How the Celtic Day of the Dead Became Hallowe’en
October 29, 2020
Tags: autumn, board, fall, halloween
by Michael Ellis, LandPaths’ Board of Directors and Footloose Forays Hallowe’en is my favorite American holiday. This celebration evolved from the ancient Celtic Day of the Dead. …
How the Celtic Day of the Dead Became Hallowe’en Read Article
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