SANTA ROSA, CA – 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Sonoma Resource Conservation District. On Tuesday, September 15th, the Sonoma County Board
of Supervisors honored them with its prestigious Gold Resolution.
In response to the historic Dust Bowl crisis of the 1930s, Soil Conservation Districts, now known as Resource Conservation Districts, were established as the nation’s first locally-led grassroots organizations to provide technical support and conservation guidance to ranchers and farmers.
“As a bridge-builder and dot-connector, the RCD brings people, knowledge, and resources together to advance voluntary conservation across Sonoma County. As the urgency of the challenges facing our natural resources accelerates, meeting them will require the same tenacity that brought people together 80 years ago,” said Sonoma RCD Executive Director Christine Kuehn. “It was an honor to accept this resolution on behalf of the RCD, past and present, and I am proud to carry this legacy forward as we continue the good work that will shape our future.”
Today, their work supports the county’s natural resources for the benefit of people, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, ecosystems, and the economy through technical assistance, education, and expert consultation.
“Sonoma RCD developed a forest management plan that helped me chart a course towards a safer and more ecologically sound forest”, said Watch Duty CEO & Cofounder John Mills. “The plan gave me a competitive edge when applying for grants to achieve the work.”
Over the past decade, Sonoma RCD has successfully been awarded millions of dollars through competitive grants, direct contracts, foundation partnerships, and private contributions. Through all of these funding sources, they have focused on the recovery of ecosystems burned between 2017 and 2020, improving resiliency of forested lands throughout the county, enhancing and restoring local watersheds, particularly those that are important for native coho salmon and steelhead trout. They lead agricultural producers in stewarding their working lands to ensure long-term sustainability of the soils that
support the County’s agronomic heritage, and educate the next generation on the importance of natural resource conservation and their vital role in continuing this work.
“We’re all better off thanks to Sonoma Resource Conservation District’s 80 years of enhancing natural and working lands in Sonoma County,” said Misti Arias, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space General Manager. “The work they do with rural landowners strengthens our agricultural lands and natural resources, builds resiliency in face of a changing climate, fosters future generations of farmers and ranchers, and helps keep our county’s unique character alive. Their expertise, commitment, and love for the land shines in all they do, and we’re so grateful to count them as a close partner.”
Sonoma RCD was originally composed of four unique geographic RCDs which over time merged into one RCD to promote efficiency and effectiveness. It serves over 880,000 acres in the county.
“Sonoma RCD has been one of the County’s most trusted partners for decades. Whether it’s reducing wildfire risk, improving water quality, restoring streams, or helping agricultural producers care for the land, they’ve consistently brought practical expertise and a collaborative approach to some of our biggest environmental challenges,” said Fourth District County Supervisor James Gore. “County government simply couldn’t accomplish this work alone. Sonoma RCD has a unique ability to bring landowners, agencies, nonprofits, and funding partners together to turn good ideas into projects that make our communities safer, our landscapes healthier, and our local economy more resilient.”
Sonoma RCD continues to grow and support the increasing need for resilience of Sonoma County’s natural resources on private and public lands.
Pictured: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Sonoma Resource Conservation District Board and staff.
