Fostering a Love of the Land since 1996

About LandPaths

LandPaths is an environmental education and conservation leader with the mission to foster a love of the land in Sonoma County. We believe everyone should have access to the awe and inspiration of nature.

Annually, we engage thousands of participants like you in joyful, caring, and transformative relationship with the land. We do this mainly through creative outings led in both English and Spanish, environmental education, nature camps, and people-powered land stewardship of local open spaces.

Land Acknowledgement

Our community gardens, office, and preserves throughout Sonoma County are located on the ancestral homelands of the Pomo, Coast Miwok, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, and the Wappo people, past, present, and future. We recognize them as the first people and the first stewards of this land.

Initiatives

Rooting Youth in Nature

LandPaths significantly reduces the barriers and expands opportunities to get outside so that more youth are able to experience wonder, joy, awe, belonging, and connection in nature.

Branching Out Conservation for Everyone

LandPaths expands the amount of people in Sonoma County who benefit from healthy land, understand the value of nature, and cultivate a sense of wanting to care for the land that gives so much back to us.

Community Care

Growing Community with Nature

Wildfires, flooding, and other challenges have dramatically increased globally and locally because of human-caused climate change. Reciprocal and joyful relationships between people and the land is a solution to climate disruption. From volunteer land stewardship days to community gatherings in local open spaces, you’ll find a range of creative, impactful opportunities to participate with LandPaths and make a difference.

Featured Outings

Burn Piles at Ocean Song/Myers Preserve

Day: Friday, April 4

Time: 8:30am – 3pm

Place: Ocean Song/Myers Preserve, Occidental

It’s wildfire fuels reduction time on the preserve! Now that we’ve pulled tons of French Broom and lopped Douglas Firs, it’s time to minimize the woody debris while it’s okay to do burn piles. The more people we have, the more we can do! Come join us and help us return good fire to the land!

Broom Bust Finale at Fitch Mountain

Day: Friday, April 18

Time: 10am – 2pm

Place: Fitch Mountain, Healdsburg

Argh, French Broom! (shakes fist) An invasive plant that was brought in to be planted in gardens in the last century, French Broom grows very fast and in dense stands. If left to its own devices, it will overshadow native plants in the forest. And it acts as a fuel ladder to allow wildfire to reach into the tree canopies, which can be disastrous.

The best time to pull broom is before the next wildfire season. This is a chance to help us keep the forest healthy and resilient in the chance that wildfire comes through the preserve. The more people we get out for this day, the more broom we can remove! Plus, tending the land with like-minded people is a guaranteed mood-booster!

Garden Day at Ocean Song Preserve

Day: Sunday, April 20
Time:10:30am
Place: Ocean Song Preserve, Occidental

The pollinator and habitat garden at Ocean Song/Myers is a truly magical place. You are invited to experience the land as you help tend the garden, which is home to dozens of plant and animal species!

Activities depend on the season, and might include pruning, mulching, mowing or other seasonal needs. Your abilities will guide the task! Volunteer land stewardship days like this are the best way to experience Ocean Song Preserve, which is closed to public access. The day will be led by LandPaths’ wonderful volunteer garden steward Jan Lochner.

Spring Morning Hike at Lafferty Ranch

Day: Saturday, April 26
Time: 9am – 11:30am
Place: Lafferty Ranch, Healdsburg

April is a lovely time at Lafferty Ranch Open Space on upper Sonoma Mountain. Join docent Larry Modell, a long-time advocate for public open space, to explore this unique property and discuss its future.

Stories + News

Stories of Impact

Reflections from Jim & Betty Doerksen, Land Partners at Rancho Mark West

February 14, 2025

Tags: Doerksen, Fire Recovery, Glass Fire, Land Partner, rancho mark west

Jim and Betty Doerksen purchased Rancho Mark West in 1967. The Doerksens have worked tirelessly, planting upwards of “one million trees,” according to Jim. They also started […]

Volunteer Spotlight: Carol Carr, Wildlife Corridor Project

February 10, 2025

Tags: growing community with nature, stewardship, Volunteer, volunteer spotlight, wildlife cameras

After the Glass fire in 2020, Carol Carr was looking for ways to make a difference in her community by helping out with fire recovery efforts. Her […]

A group of teens and adults stand in front of a beautiful stand of redwood trees.

Introducing Stand for the Land!

February 6, 2025

Tags: branching out conservation for everyone, new audiences, stand for the land

On a Wednesday afternoon in January, a group of teens and adults from Santa Rosa headed to the Grove of Old Trees for an afternoon of respite and connection. After chatting and […]