TranslateNatural Resources
Sonoma County is a globally significant “hotspot” for biodiversity, with its Mediterranean climate supporting an array of ecosystems and species. Redwood forests, coastal prairies, oak savannas, rivers, estuaries, and beaches provide habitat and refuge for birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, and more.
Goals
Regional Parks works to protect, restore, and steward these world-class resources. Our goals are to:
- Ensure the parks contribute to the ecological function of natural systems throughout the county.
- Use the parks to inform and inspire visitors about nature and the link between environmental health and personal wellness.
Activities
Regional Parks has an ongoing program to manage Sonoma County's natural resources. Initiatives include:
Climate Change
Parks are a key line of defense against climate change. Our more urban parks cool and clean the air, improve and modify wind circulations, regulate precipitation, and mitigate the impact of urban heat islands.
Wildfire Resilience
Sonoma County’s forests and grasslands have enjoyed thousands of years of regular burning. The challenge in today’s environment is to manage increasingly dense vegetation due to the exclusion of fire.
Prescribed Fire
Our goal is to use prescribed fire as one of the many management tools in our toolbox to transform our existing young and dense, forests and woodlands into mature, self-sustaining, healthy ecosystems that are reminiscent of the past and resilient to the ecological conditions of tomorrow.
Grazing
Because Sonoma County’s grasslands are adapted to disturbance from fire and large herds of animals, they quickly lose their vitality without active burning or grazing.
Restoration
Sonoma County Regional Parks works to enhance the function of our ecosystems through active restoration. We endeavor to “keep our common species common” by planting oaks and other native species iconic to the Sonoma County landscape.
Biodiversity
Sonoma County Regional Parks stewards several populations of threatened and endangered species. We monitor species such as the California red-legged frog and adapt our management to protect and recover the species.
Invasive Species
There are 195 invasive plant species in Sonoma County, making up 8 percent of the total vegetative cover. We engage our staff and volunteers in efforts to control the most problematic weeds.
Research
Sonoma County Regional Parks are home to diverse ecosystems that host rare, threatened, and endangered species. Universities and research institutions are welcome to conduct research or educational classes in our parks if they obtain a permit, provide insurance, and follow a few rules of stewardship for our natural areas.