February marks the start of Black History Month, a federally recognized celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to this country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice. With it comes many opportunities to continue cultural growth, understanding, and action for a more just world. We must decolonize the [...]
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted its first statewide rules to manage waste from winemaking and protect California’s rivers and groundwater. Winery wastewater contains a number of harmful pollutants, including salts, bacteria, high strength biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), abnormal pH, and nitrogen that can contribute to harmful [...]
Goodbye 2020, hello 2021! Feels so good to say that even if really it is just another day, in another month. Needless to say, 2020 was rough for all of us. Turns out though, it was not all bad as we were able to use this past year to help better position ourselves for some [...]
2020 was a transformational year for all of us and exposed great inequities in our country and in our watershed. These inequities aren’t new and aren’t over. Last week’s attack on the Capitol showed that we all need to carry the mantle of protecting our democracy and standing up for justice. Indeed, that’s what our [...]
COVID-19 has worsened our trash problem by making us more reliant on disposable single-use products including safety masks and gloves. Many cash-strapped restaurants are staying afloat by offering take-out wrapped in plastic materials. With many public restrooms and businesses closed, recreational users tossed trash along the river’s many beaches. And although our homeless population has [...]
In late October, we hired and trained a crew to help Dry Creek and Mill Creek property owners recover from the Walbridge fire. Our new crew includes a former EMT, a volunteer firefighter, a vineyard manager, one of our Clean Team crew members, and a local landscape contractor. We have been installing straw wattles around [...]
Finally, 2020 is almost over and what a year it has been. The effects of COVID-19 have reached far and wide this year with unprecedented challenges felt by our local community, our businesses, our schools, and every possible aspect of our lives. Despite these challenges, we have been able to rise up and move forward. [...]
Instrucción en español a continuación. Erosion Control Installer: $25 per hour This is a temporary part-time hourly position of 30-40 hours per week for up to one year. Up to 3 days paid sick leave after 90 days. The Erosion Control Installer will report to Program Director. Job Overview As stewards of the Russian River, [...]
Sonoma County is conducting a watershed assessment of potential impacts from the Walbridge Fire focusing on erosion, landslides, road culverts, flooding and water quality protection. This will help them prioritize areas of greatest need and funding. County, state, and federal funding will be distributed in the next three weeks to local groups like Russian Riverkeeper, [...]
After a wildfire, there are several impacts to our watershed and natural resources such as erosion and debris flows and the proliferation of invasive plant species. Wildfires can melt plastic pipe road culverts and leave many hazardous trees near roadways. The County of Sonoma’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency, working with Cal Fire and a [...]