The winter solstice is a time of reflection and introspection, when celebrating the season involves quiet moments and inward gaze. I am honored that people share their stories about why they support our work. Listening helps me better understand my own relationship with the land and gives me insights on how we can best work together to achieve our common goal of protecting the land…forever. 

Things have changed over the years for me here at Sonoma Land Trust. I spend much more time inside, in front of the computer … emails, phone calls, meetings, meetings, meetings. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the good fortune that brought me here. Great people, great community, great mission — a great job. And yet, I miss walking the land like I used to. So when I do get outside, I take advantage of it. I let my mind wander. 
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Last week, I found mind and body wandering across Tolay Creek Ranch, amazed, as always, by the land. Winter is almost here, though the dry December and blue skies make me wonder about rain and drought. Nevertheless, it is winter now. This is the time of year when many plants and trees go dormant, many animals hibernate and the sun takes longer naps. Winter is the time of year when we plant our native trees, shrubs and grasses at Tolay Creek Ranch. 
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When the Creighton Ridge Fire of 1978 swept through the wooded canyons of the Cazadero area, neighbors say that it sounded like a jet engine roaring as it burned landscape features like Little Black Mountain in mere minutes. Sparked by a lawnmower hitting a rock on a hot August afternoon, it quickly engulfed the land and swept through more than 11,000 acres, destroying 64 homes.
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In a landscape and community shaped by fire, Sonoma Land Trust’s stewardship efforts at Little Black Mountain and Pole Mountain have been focused on fire preparedness and fuel reduction. The Little Black Mountain Preserve was donated to SLT in 1979 by the Thieriot Family after the fire leveled their quaint back-to-the land homestead, and the Lookout Tower was moved to Pole Mountain in 1981 to protect the community from more catastrophic fire events.