Since 1990, we’ve worked to increase appreciation and stewardship of Sonoma Valley’s natural heritage and create measurable benefits in areas of land, water, climate change and biodiversity. Supporting our work enables us to move us all towards a better future.

Who We Are

Sonoma Ecology Center works to address challenges related to water supply and quality, open space, rural character, biodiversity, energy, climate change, and a better quality of life for all residents.

Vision

We envision a future where people, land, water, and wildlife thrive.

Mission

Our mission is to work with our community to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley.

How can people, land, water, and wildlife thrive in a fire-adapted landscape?

Watch this video on how we keep people safer while supporting our environment.

Upcoming Events

Mar
18
Mon
Spring Break Camp at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park | Campamento de vacaciones de primavera en Sugarloaf Ridge @ Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Mar 18 @ 9:00 am – Mar 22 @ 3:00 pm

When: March 18-22, 2024 9:00 am-3:00 pm | Cuándo: del lunes 18 de marzo al viernes 22 de marzo del 2024, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Where: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood, CA 95452 | Dónde: Parque Estatal Sugarloaf Ridge, 2605 Adobe Canyon Rd, Kenwood, CA 95452

Who: Ages 8-12 | Quien: edades de 8 a 12

Cost: $330 for Sonoma Ecology Center members; $350 for the general public | Costo: $330 para miembros de Sonoma Ecology Center, o $350 para el público general.

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Join us for an exciting week of exploration at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park’s Spring Break Camp for ages 8-12 on Monday-Friday, March 18 to March 22, 2024. Inspired by our successful “Water Wonders” field trip program, we will journey through the headwaters of the Sonoma Creek watershed in this environmental and recreational education camp. Throughout the week, campers will become explorers, starting each day with thrilling morning hikes on the park’s trails. As the day progresses and the sun warms up, we will get closer to the waters, exploring the streams, observing insects and amphibians in their natural environment. Our activities will include investigating water properties and learning about the wildlife and plants found in the park. Additionally, our camp days will be filled with games, hikes, and exciting storytelling.

Spring Break Camp at Sugarloaf is led by naturalist Jonny Ehlers from the Sonoma Ecology Center. Jonny is a fourth-generation educator who began working with youth right after high school in an afterschool program in Sacramento. Later, he became an educator in West Sonoma County at a residential camp, where he worked with diverse populations. He also founded The Mycelium Project, an organization dedicated to helping children and adults through nature-based activities and hikes. Jonny is certified in first aid and CPR, and he brings 27 years of experience in outdoor and environmental education.

This camp aligns with the spring break week of Santa Rosa City Schools and the Kenwood School District. If you are part of a different school district, we recommend checking your local school calendar to see if it coincides with the week when we offer our spring break camp. We look forward to seeing you at the Spring Break Camp at Sugarloaf Ridge!

Registration ends March 14 at 11:59 pm. If you need Spanish help registering for this camp, please contact Alma Shaw at alma@sonomaecologycenter.org. For other questions, please contact Tony Passantino at tony@sonomaecologycenter.org.

¡Únete a nosotros en una emocionante semana de exploración durante el campamento de vacaciones de primavera para edades entre 8 y 12 en Sugarloaf Ridge State Park! El campamento es del lunes 18 de marzo al viernes 22 de marzo del 2024. Inspirado en nuestro exitoso programa de excursiones “Water Wonders”, recorreremos las cabeceras de la cuenca de Sonoma Creek en este campamento de educación ambiental y recreativa. Durante esta semana, los campistas se convertirán en exploradores, comenzando cada día con emocionantes caminatas matutinas por los senderos del parque. A medida que el día avanza y se torna caluroso, nos acercaremos a las aguas para explorar los arroyos en busca de insectos y anfibios. Nuestras actividades incluirán la investigación de las propiedades del agua, la recolección y el estudio de insectos acuáticos, así como el aprendizaje sobre la vida silvestre y las plantas que se encuentran en el parque. Además, nuestros días en el campamento estarán llenos de juegos, caminatas y cuentos emocionantes.

El Campamento de vacaciones de primavera en Sugarloaf está dirigido por naturalista Jonny Ehlers de Sonoma Ecology Center. Jonny es un educador de cuarta generación que comenzó a trabajar con jóvenes justo después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria en un programa extracurricular en Sacramento. Más tarde, se convirtió en educador en el oeste del Condado de Sonoma en un campamento residencial donde trabajó con poblaciones diversas. Jonny también fundó The Mycelium Project, una organización dedicada a ayudar a niños y adultos a través de excursiones y actividades basadas en la naturaleza. Jonny está certificado en primeros auxilios y RCP, y cuenta con 27 años de experiencia en educación ambiental y al aire libre.

Este campamento está alineado con las vacaciones de primavera de las escuelas de la ciudad de Santa Rosa y el distrito escolar de Kenwood. Si perteneces a otro distrito escolar, te recomendamos consultar el calendario escolar local para ver si coincide con la semana en la que ofrecemos nuestro campamento de primavera. ¡Esperamos verte en el campamento de primavera en Sugarloaf Ridge!

El periodo de registración cierra el 14 de marzo a las 11:59pm. Si necesita ayuda en español para inscribirse, por favor póngase en contacto con Alma Shaw en alma@sonomaecologycenter.org. Para otras preguntas, por favor comuníquese con Tony Passantino (tony@sonomaecologycenter.org).

Mar
22
Fri
Weekly California Native Plant Sale | Venta semanal de plantas nativas Californianas @ Native Plant Nursery at Sonoma Garden Park
Mar 22 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Weekly California Native Plant Sale | Venta semanal de plantas nativas Californianas @ Native Plant Nursery at Sonoma Garden Park | Sonoma | California | United States

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We are selling a variety of California native plants to the public every Friday from 12:00-3:00 pm to help local gardeners create and maintain drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes. Simply drop into our Native Plant Nursery. For questions, email our Native Plant Nursery Manager at hannah@sonomaecologycenter.org.

Our weekly plant sales will be cancelled October 6, 13, and 20, and November 24, 2023.

Sign up for our emailing list to stay updated on future events: sonomaecologycenter.org/newsletters-sign-up.

Venderemos una variedad de plantas nativas Californianas al público cada viernes de 12:00 a 3:00 pm para ayudar a jardineros locales a crear y mantener jardines y paisajes resistentes a la sequía y amigables a polinizadores. Simplemente acude a nuestro vivero de plantas nativas (ubicado dentro de Sonoma Garden Park). Si tienes preguntas, manda un email a nuestra gerente del vivero de plantas nativas por hannah@sonomaecologycenter.org.

Nuestra venta de plantas semanal en octubre 6, 13, y 20 se ha cancelado para prepararnos para nuestra venta estacional el 21 de octubre.

Inscríbete a nuestro boletín de noticias electrónico para estar al tanto de nuestros eventos futuros: sonomaecologycenter.org/newsletters-sign-up.

Mar
23
Sat
Wondrous Wildflower Walk @ Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Mar 23 @ 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Wondrous Wildflower Walk @ Sugarloaf Ridge State Park | Kenwood | California | United States

UPDATE 2/28, 4:30 pm: The 3/2, 3/23, & 4/6 hikes are sold out.

Join Certified California Naturalist John Lynch on his  wondrous wildflower walks.

On 3/2, we’ll follow Pony Gate Trail’s grassy slope, into the Oak woodland and through a mixed evergreen forest, along Canyon Trail’s shady riparian corridor lined with redwoods, to the 25-foot dramatic plunge of Sonoma Creek and back to the our starting point at the Visitor Center.

Departing from the Visitor Center, the 3/23 route takes us on the Creekside and Hillside trails returning via Meadow.

On 4/6, from the White Barn, we’ll scout Hillside to Brushy Peaks turning around at the Neptune picnic table and back on Meadow Trail.

We’ll celebrate Earth Day on 4/21 on Vista Trail via Lower Bald Mtn (from the White Barn) and returning on Meadow Trail.

Wear hiking shoes, layers appropriate for weather, bring at least a quart of water, a camera, and wildflower guides if you have one. Tickets are $10-$15 sliding scale for general audiences, $5 for students, youth (12-17 year olds; must be accompanied by an adult), Sugarloaf members and volunteers, and free for children under 12. Parking fees apply. Heavy rain or wind cancels and will be announced by 9:00am the day of the hike.

Ease of access: The Pony Gate-Canyon loop is approximately 2 miles with an elevation of 595 ft. Both trails are single-track dirt trails with steps that descend into a canyon. There is a seasonal water crossing (creek bed) on Pony Gate without a bridge.

The Creekside-Hillside-Meadow loop is ADA-compliant for approximately 0.35mi. From there, Hillside is a single-track dirt trail for 0.1mi that widens into a 2-mile fire road loop with two 100-foot hills and a small stream crossing with a wooden plank for a bridge. Meadow is passable by strollers or wheelchair up to the bridge, about a mile in, but is not officially an ADA-compliant trail.

Hillside Trail is a single-track dirt trail for 0.1mi that widens into a 2-mile fire road loop with two 100-foot hills and a small stream crossing with a wooden plank for a bridge. Brushy Peaks Trail is a rugged single-track dirt trail with 650 feet of elevation and a short section of steps.

Lower Bald Mtn Trail is a single-track gravel and dirt trail with at times, rough terrain and steps. It connects to Bald Mtn Trail, a steep, paved fire road. Vista Trail is a single-track dirt trail with at least three stretches of steep steps and at least two small seasonal water crossings without a bridge. Gray Pine, the connecting trail between Vista and Meadow Trails, has a year-round stream crossing with a board for a bridge.


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For more events at Sugarloaf, visit our calendar.

Mar
24
Sun
Park Rx– Forest Bathing Walk @ Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Mar 24 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Park Rx-- Forest Bathing Walk @ Sugarloaf Ridge State Park | Kenwood | California | United States

The practice of Forest Therapy has been shown to improve health and well-being.

Have you heard about “Shinrin-yoku” or “forest bathing”? Here is an opportunity to take a walk and experience the practice for yourself. Learn techniques to maximize the health benefits and stress reducing qualities of this walking practice. Shinrin-yoku originated in Japan and is gaining popularity in the United States for its documented health benefits.

This practice takes a walk in the woods to another level. A centering and calming restorative practice, it promotes balance and restored vitality through a quality of presence and heightened sensory awareness. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park hosts a Forest Therapy Series as part of its Park Rx Program the 4th Sunday of the month led by certified Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) practitioners.

We invite you to join us on this therapeutic experience of sights, sounds, scents, touch, and memory. The outing begins at the White Barn and meanders less than one mile from the start point in a reverie of introspection and connection to the natural world.

Tickets are $20 or free with an January 2024 or newer Park Rx from a Sonoma County Medical Provider. Click here for Park Rx information. To sign up with a Park Rx, please email alma@sonomaecologycenter.org. Please have your Park Rx available at the time of sign-up, as the number of Park Rx tickets is limited and you will be asked to turn in a copy at the time of registration.

Wear layers, comfortable footwear, bring water, sun protection, and if desired, a snack or a picnic to enjoy after the event. Parking fees apply. Heavy rains cancel.

Ease of access: Creekside Nature Trail has two trailheads. The trailhead from the White Barn is ADA compliant for about 0.1 miles. Our route for this hike veers off to the left across a narrow bridge and single-track dirt trail that connects with Hillside and then backtracks. The entire route is approximately 3/4 of a mile with approximately 100ft of elevation gain. 

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For more events at Sugarloaf, visit our calendar.

Full Moon Hike @ Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Mar 24 @ 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Full Moon Hike @ Sugarloaf Ridge State Park | Kenwood | California | United States

UPDATE: 2/2 1:00PM. Our March Full Moon Hike is sold out, but sales for the April hike begin on March 25 at 1:00am.

Bring a flashlight and your sense of wonder as you explore the park after dark. This hike begins at the White Barn and heads up to the viewpoint on Vista Trail or to the top of Bald Mountain, where we will see the moon rise over the Mayacamas and the sun set over Sonoma Valley.

The Bald Mountain route is a strenuous 6.5 miles with 1500+ of vertical and some steep sections (not recommended for children under 12). It leaves the White Barn parking lot at 5:00pm.

The Vista Trail route is a moderate-to-strenuous, 4-mile hike with 700ft of elevation and begins at 6:00pm. Not recommended for children under 7.

Tickets are $10 general, and $5 for students, youth (12-17 year olds), Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf volunteers, and free for children 7-12 years old. All minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. You must have a ticket to attend. Be at the meeting location at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the hike for a prompt departure. Bring your flashlight, at least a quart of water, snacks, and extra layers for the evening. Parking fees apply.

Ease of access:
For Vista route: The White Barn parking lot has one van-designated parking spot and an accessible porta-potty. There is a 1/4-mile paved road from the Observatory to the Meadow trailhead. Meadow Trail is an unpaved fire road that is mostly flat although not ADA-compliant.  In the dry season, it is passable by stroller or wheelchair with off-road capability tires up to the bridge, about a mile in. Grey Pine Trail is a fire road with a year-round creek crossing passable by board. Vista Trail is a single-track dirt trail with at least 700ft of elevation. It has at least two small seasonal water crossings, at least two sections with steps, and multiple steep, slippery sections. Bald Mtn Trail is a paved fire road that connects Vista Trail to Lower Bald Mtn Trail. Lower Bald Mtn Trail is a single-track dirt and gravel trail with multiple narrow switchbacks and inclines with an elevation gain of approximately 500ft. It has two trailheads; one at the main parking lot, and one that leads back to the Observatory.
For Bald Mtn route: The White Barn parking lot has one van-designated parking spot and an accessible porta-potty. There is a 1/4-mile paved road from the Observatory to the Lower Bald Mtn trailhead. Lowr Bald Mtn Trail is a single-track dirt and gravel trail with multiple narrow switchbacks and inclines for an elevation gain of approximately 500ft. It merges with Bald Mtn Trail, a paved fire road with elevation of 1,000+ ft of elevation gain. The route backtracks on these same trails.

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For more events at Sugarloaf, visit our calendar.

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The Ecology Blog

Sugarloaf Volunteer’s iNaturalist Observation Featured in Academic Journal

Sugarloaf Volunteer’s iNaturalist Observation Featured in Academic Journal

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has long been more than just a park. Managed by Sonoma Ecology Center, Sugarloaf is a community gathering space where nature enthusiasts, researchers, and citizen scientists can come together and learn about and contribute to our understanding of the natural world. Galen Freed-Wilhelm, a Sugarloaf volunteer and an avid participant of citizen science, made an observation of a new scorpion species on iNaturalist that was featured in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal called ZooKeys.

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