This year, we warmly welcomed a local photographer, Marielle V Chua, to the Sonoma Ecology Center family. Marielle’s photographs intimately capture the natural beauty of Sonoma Valley that inspires our work. She has generously donated her time and talent, photographing Sonoma Garden Park’s botanicals, activities, and summer camps, and shares pictures of landscapes throughout Sonoma Valley with our audiences.  We sat down with Marielle to learn more about her work and relationship with Sonoma Valley’s natural beauty. Sonoma Valley Nature. Photo courtesy of Marielle V Chua. What bro ..read more

We are seeking a Garden Assistant Manager to join our farm team. The Garden Assistant Manager will work closely with the Garden Manager to ensure Sonoma Garden Park's smooth operation and development ..read more

Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) seeks a detail-oriented, forward-thinking person to shepherd complex environmental projects to completion, from inventing fundable packages of tasks and partners, to writing compelling proposals, contracting, permitting, environmental compliance, funder/client/subcontractor relations, tracking, reporting, and completing projects ..read more

Since 2022, Sonoma Ecology Center has worked with Earth Foundries as a consultant on numerous initiatives aimed at studying ways biochar can be used to improve soil health projects and provide other ecological benefits beyond Sonoma Valley.  ..read more

In partnership with Earth Foundries, we recently consulted on a project to sequester carbon, reduce flooding, and improve water quality in East San Jose. Using regional expertise and locally-sourced biochar from wood materials that would otherwise go to waste, Earth Foundries, in partnership with Sonoma Ecology Center, ReScape, the North Santa Clara Resource Conservation District, and Veggielution, installed a new multi-benefit bioswale at Veggielution Community Farms. Bioswales are resilient, efficient, low maintenance, and attractive stormwater solutions that use plants, soil and other nat ..read more

Steven Lee, Sonoma Ecology Center’s Senior Scientist and Project Lead with Morton’s Warm Springs Stewards at the picnic area, the site for ecological restoration. Photo credit: Sonoma Ecology Center/Environmental Science Associates. The first major project advancing Sonoma Ecology Center’s long-term plan to improve the health of Upper Sonoma Creek has broken ground at Morton’s Warm Springs in Kenwood. Restoration will run through late summer and will result in improved wildlife habitat, increased biodiversity, and better appreciation of the creek by Morton’s visitors.  Historically ..read more

By James Webb About James (Jim) Webb: Jim began volunteering with Sugarlaof Ridge State Park last February 2023 as a trail patrol volunteer. His experience in previous work with USFS lends itself to very detailed trail reports. His reports of “What’s Blooming/Fruiting?” are a naturalist’s weekly treat, and his most recent efforts, concentrated on meticulous examination of data from our trails has led to improved data concerning ease of access descriptions of trails and areas in the park. Woodland Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata) brought to you by Jim Webb Creekside Nature Trail  The ..read more

By Jim Webb About James (Jim) Webb: Jim began volunteering with Sugarlaof Ridge State Park last February 2023 as a trail patrol volunteer. His experience in previous work with USFS lends itself to very detailed trail reports. His reports of “What’s Blooming/Fruiting?” are a naturalist’s weekly treat, and his most recent efforts, concentrated on meticulous examination of data from our trails has led to improved data concerning ease of access descriptions of trails and areas in the park. Seep Spring Monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttata) brought to you by Jim Webb Lower Bald Mountain Trail ..read more

by Tim Trainor (Volunteer History Docent) Visitors of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park enter via Adobe Canyon Road off Highway 12 in Kenwood. As they drive up the canyon to enjoy the numerous outdoor activities at the park, they pass through an area that has drawn outdoor enthusiasts and casual visitors for well over 100 years. Kenwood Springs in 1924 The road was originally named Kenwood Springs Road but the name was later changed to Adobe Canyon Road in recognition of the abandoned adobe at the Hwy 12 turnoff. The adobe was demolished by 1960 and the last known photograph was taken in 1 ..read more

Classification: Non-Exempt                                                                Reports to: Full-time (40 hours per week)                                                             Restoration Project Manager Rate of pay: $23 per hour, with yearly increases. ORGANIZATION So ..read more