LandPaths and Sonoma Land Trust have teamed up to create a new 554-acre nature preserve on the Bohemia Ranch located between Occidental and Monte Rio near Camp Meeker.  The forested land contains a waterfall, camping potential and fields of rare [...]]]> The word has already gone out from Landpaths and the Press Democrat, but bears repeating.

Hikers on Bohemia's old ranch roads

LandPaths and Sonoma Land Trust have teamed up to create a new 554-acre nature preserve on the Bohemia Ranch located between Occidental and Monte Rio near Camp Meeker.  The forested land contains a waterfall, camping potential and fields of rare plants.

The new preserve, named the Bohemia Ecological Preserve, was created through the purchase of a conservation easement by Sonoma Land Trust and a donation of the restricted land by Ted and Phyllis Swindells to LandPaths, which will manage the property for resource protection and public use.

Beginning this month, LandPaths will provide you with an opportunity to (re)discover Bohemia via guided hikes and volunteer stewardship projects.

This is great news — hopes for a park or preserve on this land were dashed several times for LandPaths, Sonoma Land Trust and others were finally able to put together this deal. Congratulations to everyone who made it happen! Check out the full story at the Landpaths site and sign up for an upcoming hike on the preserve.

Meeting on Monday, Dec. 5th at 6 pm at the Bike Monkey office in downtown Santa Rosa (640 3rd Street, Suite #C). Please note that we have moved the date to avoid the holidays. Meetings for 2012 will be moved to the 4th [...]]]> You are invited to join the upcoming Sonoma County Trails Council Board

Image by ingridtaylar via Flickr

Meeting on Monday, Dec. 5th at 6 pm at the Bike Monkey office in downtown Santa Rosa (640 3rd Street, Suite #C). Please note that we have moved the date to avoid the holidays. Meetings for 2012 will be moved to the 4th Monday of each month unless otherwise noted.

The Regional Parks Department is moving to a Sustainability Model of management in which we will be more financially responsible and self-sustaining and more operationally efficient.

As part of this transition, the Department is looking at numerous opportunities to increase revenues to support our Parks. [...]]]> From John Ryan, Volunteer/Intern Coordinator for Sonoma County Regional Parks:

Image via Wikipedia

The Regional Parks Department is moving to a Sustainability Model of management in which we will be more financially responsible and self-sustaining and more operationally efficient.

As part of this transition, the Department is looking at numerous opportunities to increase revenues to support our Parks. We have many wonderful properties where we can offer programs, enhance services, and provide even more memorable experiences for Park users. We want to maintain the beauty of our Parks while also raising revenue that we can use to support them and keep entrance fees low.

The Department is looking for volunteers to help park staff develop and implement plans to generate revenue. There are many possibilities; some examples include:

• Developing and implementing a strategy to increase the use of County Parks for special events.
• Creating a plan for increased concessions at Parks, such as Doran Beach.
• Creating a plan to increase camping facilities at County Parks, as well as cabins and/or yurts.
• Analyzing the relationship between tourism, the economy, and local Parks.
• Creating a business plan for a local Park.

Volunteers could be tremendously helpful in different ways. One option is to provide regular assistance to Parks staff working on these issues – conducting Internet research, contacting other Parks departments, analyzing the market potential for new programs, etc. Another option is to take a lead role on a particular idea, such as one of those noted above.

Volunteers will receive support from the Department, but should work well independently. Strong analytic and writing skills are necessary. The ideal candidate should be able to commit 5  to 10 hours a week for the duration of the project. If you can volunteer please contact John Ryan or if you have a particular revenue generating idea send it to him in an e-mail:

John Ryan
Volunteer/Intern Coordinator
Sonoma County Regional Parks
707-565-3356
www.sonomacountyparks.org

For additional information, contact:

Don Schwartz
Business Development Manager
Sonoma County Regional Parks
707-565-3777
Don.Schwartz@Sonoma-county.org

This is a great opportunity to help your Sonoma County Regional Park during these tough budgetary times. Even if you are not available you might know someone, a student, retiree, etc. who could really help us out.