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Ag Preservation and Open Space District protects 6,400 West Co. acres
by Dawn Pillsbury - Sonoma West Staff Writer
SANTA ROSA -- Laguna Park. Stillwater Cove. The West County Trail. The Laguna Uplands. Mom's Beach. Red Hill.
The West County has more than 6,400 acres of open space protected thanks to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, according to a report this month on the district's accomplishments.
The acquisitions range in size from the .6-acre West County Trailhead in Forestville to the 1,578-acre Colliss ranch purchase on the Sonoma Coast.
At their April 8 meeting, the Board of Supervisors praised Open Space District staff on their accomplishments and on the glossy, 15-page brochure touting them.
Since it was founded by citizen initiative in 1990, the district has protected 115 open space properties in the county, totalling 57,000 acres for $107 million, funded by a countywide quarter-cent sales tax. The appraised value of the land protected is $121 million as of September '02.
"This is something everyone in Sonoma County can be proud of," said 5th District Supervisor Mike Reilly. "I encourage you to share it in the community, at schools and with service organizations."
"I would encourage those who would criticize the (open space) district to take a close look at this report," said 2nd District Supervisor Mike Kerns.
Fourth District Supervisor Paul Kelley thanked them for including a list of thank yous including past and current boards of supervisors, committee members and volunteers.
The district has spent $6.3 million on matching grants to cities, non-profits and other public agencies to fund open space projects.
Through one of the district's new programs, the Small Farm Initiative founded in 2001, it leases greenbelt land to farmers. The program is aimed at keeping land in vegetable rather than wine grape production.
Lee and Wayne James of Healdsburg, owners of Tierra Vegetables -- famous for dried chilies -- are leasing the 17-acre Haroutunian North property in Windsor through the Small Farm Initiative program.
Though much of the land protected by the district is under conservation easement but still privately owned and not open to the public, some of the land is open to the public or open through LandPaths tours. LandPaths is the district's nonprofit conservation partner established in 1999.
"Through the outings program, the public can explore district-protected properties by foot, bicycle, kayak, wheelchair or horseback," said LandPaths Executive Director Craig Anderson in the brochure. "Outing participants say that standing atop a ridge while hearing about the county's history and today's ranching life gives them much greater appreciation for Sonoma County's land and people."
The district's most recent West County acquisition is the 911-acre Red Hill property next to Pomo Canyon campground on the coast.
For more information or a brochure, contact the district at 565-7360 or www.sonoma-county.org/opensp/index.htm.
The West County has more than 6,400 acres of open space protected thanks to the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, according to a report this month on the district's accomplishments.
The acquisitions range in size from the .6-acre West County Trailhead in Forestville to the 1,578-acre Colliss ranch purchase on the Sonoma Coast.
At their April 8 meeting, the Board of Supervisors praised Open Space District staff on their accomplishments and on the glossy, 15-page brochure touting them.
Since it was founded by citizen initiative in 1990, the district has protected 115 open space properties in the county, totalling 57,000 acres for $107 million, funded by a countywide quarter-cent sales tax. The appraised value of the land protected is $121 million as of September '02.
"This is something everyone in Sonoma County can be proud of," said 5th District Supervisor Mike Reilly. "I encourage you to share it in the community, at schools and with service organizations."
"I would encourage those who would criticize the (open space) district to take a close look at this report," said 2nd District Supervisor Mike Kerns.
Fourth District Supervisor Paul Kelley thanked them for including a list of thank yous including past and current boards of supervisors, committee members and volunteers.
The district has spent $6.3 million on matching grants to cities, non-profits and other public agencies to fund open space projects.
Through one of the district's new programs, the Small Farm Initiative founded in 2001, it leases greenbelt land to farmers. The program is aimed at keeping land in vegetable rather than wine grape production.
Lee and Wayne James of Healdsburg, owners of Tierra Vegetables -- famous for dried chilies -- are leasing the 17-acre Haroutunian North property in Windsor through the Small Farm Initiative program.
Though much of the land protected by the district is under conservation easement but still privately owned and not open to the public, some of the land is open to the public or open through LandPaths tours. LandPaths is the district's nonprofit conservation partner established in 1999.
"Through the outings program, the public can explore district-protected properties by foot, bicycle, kayak, wheelchair or horseback," said LandPaths Executive Director Craig Anderson in the brochure. "Outing participants say that standing atop a ridge while hearing about the county's history and today's ranching life gives them much greater appreciation for Sonoma County's land and people."
The district's most recent West County acquisition is the 911-acre Red Hill property next to Pomo Canyon campground on the coast.
For more information or a brochure, contact the district at 565-7360 or www.sonoma-county.org/opensp/index.htm.
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