Sonoma County Regional Parks receives grant to restore critical salmon habitat on Mark West Creek

A $1.5 million California Wildlife Conservation Board grant will fund Sonoma County Regional Parks’ efforts to restore wetlands, streams and habitat for coho salmon and steelhead trout at Mark West Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. Developed in partnership with the Sonoma Resource Conservation District and Trout Unlimited, this project will improve conditions in a key tributary of the Russian River watershed.

Mark West Creek is one of the few streams in the Russian River watershed that continues flowing during dry summer months, but declining water levels and changes to the creek channel threaten fish habitat and stream health. The grant-funded project will let Regional Parks and its partners restore natural conditions by installing structures that mimic beaver dams, placing large logs in streams, restoring small channels and wetlands and modifying or removing concrete dams that block fish passage. Known as "process-based restoration", the work will rely on low-tech approaches and materials to revive the natural systems that shape a healthy creek.

“This restoration will help slow and spread water across the landscape, improve water quality and create better habitat for native fish and wildlife,” said Minona Heaviland, Regional Parks’ interim natural resources manager. “By using wood from the site to do that work, we’ll reduce wildfire risk in the park. We will also invite the community to get involved in stewardship opportunities so they can better understand the creek ecosystem and how to protect it.”

The project is expected to begin later this year and will continue for three years. These efforts will reopen several miles of creek habitat for native salmon and steelhead.

“Through our long-standing partnership with Sonoma County Regional Parks and Trout Unlimited, we are creating critical habitat for salmon and steelhead while improving stream function, restoring headwaters and building watershed resilience,” said Christine Kuehn, executive director for the Sonoma Resource Conservation District. “This collaborative project demonstrates how process-based restoration can deliver lasting ecological and community benefits.

The grant is among more than $59 million the California Wildlife Conservation Board awarded in early March to 27 projects statewide to protect biodiversity, restore wildlife habitat and improve public access to nature. Mark West Creek and four other projects advance the “California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future” plan for restoring flood plains and improving stream complexity and spawning and rearing habitat for endangered or threatened species.  

These state grants advance Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, a globally adapted target known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and adapt to climate change.

Mark West Creek Regional Park and Preserve is a 1,120-acre property east of Santa Rosa. Sonoma County Ag + Open Space purchased the parcels comprising the parkland and transferred the land to Regional Parks in 2018. Regional Parks is preparing a master plan to guide the park’s future opening, with public access now available on special preview days or staff-led outings.  

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Sonoma County Regional Parks provides essential opportunities for people to connect with nature. We contribute to the vibrancy and well-being of our community by expanding access to recreation experiences, serving as responsible stewards of cultural and natural resources, and ensuring that our parks are clean, safe and welcoming. Learn more at SonomaCountyParks.org.

Sonoma Resource Conservation District (RCD) is a non-regulatory, special district empowered to manage soil, water, fish, and wildlife resources for conservation. Celebrating 80 years of conservation and partnership in Sonoma County, the RCD provides reliable technical and financial assistance to support people through expertise and action, strengthening the resilience of our natural resources on both private and public lands. Learn more at SonomaRCD.org.

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Media Contact:  
Ariana Reguzzoni 
Marketing Specialist 
Sonoma County Regional Parks 
(707) 565-3803 
(707) 321-0853 
Ariana.Reguzzoni@sonoma-county.org 
SonomaCountyParks.org