Ready to Act
For Land & Community
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.
#Giving Tuesday
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.
Explore
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: November 25, December 2,9, + 16 2020
Ages: Grades 1 to 6
Time: 9am to 2/3pm
Days: Four consecutive Wednesdays
Leaders: LandPaths’ Bilingual Education Field Specialists
Location: Bohemia Ecological Preserve or Bayer Farm
Cost: $240 w/ scholarships available
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.
Fire Recovery Volunteer Stewardship Day
Date: Wednesdays, November 11, 20, 25 2020
Time: 9am to 3pm
Leaders: LandPaths’ Stewardship Specialists
Location: Riddell Preserve, Healdsburg
Honoring Tonantzin
Date: Monday, December 16, 2020
Who: For youth ages 9 – 17 and their families
Time: 6pm
Leaders: LandPaths, Naturalmente Indigena, Adela Diaz-Villalta
Location: Zoom; pre-registration required to get link
Cost: Free
This workshop will uplift youth voices and while intended for youth 9-17 and their families, this event is open to all ages! We invite you to participate in this youth/family space, and share in a conversation on Tonantzin (Mother Earth), and the gifts she offers us to use towards our wellness.
Leading the workshop along with her family is Adela Diaz-Villalta, 13, President of Naturalmente Indígena, a youth organization promoting community, ceremony, and traditional knowledge towards sustainably. She is also a Project G.O.O.D (growing our own destiny) intern with Yisrael Family Urban Farm. During this pandemic Adela is facilitating a youth mindfulness circle for tween and teen girls of color. Gather with us at home with your family to listen or participate by using the suggested material list.
REGISTER HEREEco Adventures for Teens
Date: December 5, 12,19, 2020 – Saturdays
Who: For teens ages 13 to 16
Time: 10am to 3pm
Leaders: LandPaths Education Field Specialists
Location: Bohemia Ecological Preserve and the Russian River
Cost: $240 with scholarships available
All Covid19 Safety protocols will be followed at this outdoor program, including temperature checks at sign-in, masks (we have extras to share!), frequent hand washing/sanitizing and physical distancing. Read LandPaths Youth Programs Covid 19 Protocols Here.
Stories + 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
Get Outside with LandPaths
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