Summer is here; school is getting out; now is a time of increased chances to spend time in nature. So get out to Sonoma Mountain and perhaps take a few shots for SMP's first Sonoma Mountain Photo Contest!More information is below.
Many summer activities that have been on hiatus during Covid are starting back up, slowly but surely. One of the most exciting announcements is the tours of Lafferty Ranch. Tours are starting slowly, and they are highly recommended. The featured photo above was taken from Lafferty Ranch, looking southwest, with the Petaluma River and Marsh, Mt Burdell, and Mt Tamalpais. A docent program is also in the works to support the opening of this beautiful space to the public. There are two outings scheduled for June, more info below. Also, we recently came across this 1997 video about Lafferty Ranch.
Earlier this month at Jack London Park, we celebrated the first annual "Call of the Wild Weekend," which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Vineyard Trail, the most direct way to visit the Grandmother Redwood, not to mention a beautiful hike. They have started up a new tour called "The Redwood Experience," but the upcoming tour for next weekend is full. Keep an eye on their events page if you are interested in attending the next one. And save the date for the Jack London Park Gala in September and the unveiling of the story of the Grandmother Redwood.
"Once upon a time in a not-so-distant forest lived an ancient redwood tree who silently presided over her forested sanctuary..."
Speaking of mother trees, we recently came across this in-depth interview with Dr. Suzanne Simard—the renowned scientist who discovered the "wood-wide web."Click here to read the article and learn about mother trees, kin recognition, and how to heal our separation from the living world.
Blessings to all,
Your friends at Sonoma Mountain Preservation
Experience Lafferty Ranch Oaks of Lafferty, June 11
Landscapes of Lafferty, June 25th
Join LandPaths and the City of Petaluma for an adventure at Lafferty Ranch. This open space of 270-acres offers great views of native grasslands, mixed woodlands, beautiful meadows, and riparian habitat that includes the important sources of Adobe creek headwaters. Hike, observe, and remember to bring a lunch. Free, but registration is required. Lafferty Ranch is only open during special guided events like this one.
Sonoma Mountain
Photo Contest on Facebook and Instagram A Sense of Place
SMP is hosting our first social media photo contest. All you need to enter is a Facebook or Instagram account and a great picture of Sonoma Mountain! Hurry up! You have until June 11th to get your entry in. Win a copy of our award-winning book or a Sonoma Mountain mug.