Joe Dutton

The meeting agenda included general updates, a presentation on recent awards from the Vegetation Management Grant Program, and a discussion on community cooperative grazing from the landsmart grazing team. Additionally, there was a presentation regarding the Valley Stewards Fund. Updates from participants covered various topics, including new staff appointments at Fire Safe Sonoma, site preparation for a prescribed burn at the Van Hooser Conservation Easement, securing an open space grant for the springs fire resilience area, and recruitment for landscape/fire resilience work through a TIP 5 grant. Other updates detailed the completion of a multi-year CalFire grant project involving shaded fuel brakes, securing a vegetation management grant to significantly expand acreage treated, and developing a ten-year portfolio of projects in partnership with multiple fire protection districts. Furthermore, updates noted upcoming bird pile workshops, stakeholder engagement workshops concerning the Tannery Creek Reserve conservation easement, the third year of privately funded community grazing exploration, and activities related to MVIP applications. There was also a discussion regarding the role of landowners in the working group's objectives. Finally, updates addressed the commencement of water quality TMDL project work, including road assessment and prioritization for repair where roads discharge into watercourses, and ongoing efforts to match private funds with public funding to support private landowners in forestry management.

The meeting agenda included updates on the current fire season, with Ben Nichols scheduled to present. Participants provided updates on their ongoing projects and funding statuses. Key topics included the completion of Phase One of a CalFire grant and the receipt of a matching Vegetation Management Grant for a major access road. An NCRP grant proposal for pine plantation work was submitted. Discussions also covered a resubmitted Forest Health proposal, leveraging relationships built with CalFire personnel. Updates were given on the Sonoma County Wildfire buffer pilot program, the completion of the Gualala River Management Plan, and details about a recent event at Armstrong Woods showcasing prescribed fire treatments. Regional Parks reported securing gap funding for a fall session of the Santa Rosa JC Wildfire Resilience Program and provided updates on postponed prescribed burns due to CalFire crew availability for other wildfires. Regional Parks is also hiring field assistants for forestry, wildlife, and invasive species programs. Furthermore, progress was reported on securing long-term private investment capital to supplement public funding, specifically mentioning collaboration with Blue Forest.

The board meeting agenda included several informational items such as updates on the Gold Ridge RCD, Santa Rosa Plain GSA, Finance Committee, NRCS, and the Board Vacancy. The consent calendar covered the January 2026 Special Meeting Minutes, February 2026 Grant Status Report, and Warrant Requests. Key action items involved authorizing the Executive Director to enter into an agreement with the County of Sonoma for the Bohemian Highway South Community Wildfire Resilience Project for $100,000, and the review of Quarterly Financial Statements for the first two quarters of FY 25-26. Future agenda considerations included the Sonoma County General Plan Update, the Board Director Appointment Recommendation to fill the vacancy, and a potential March Board Meeting date change.

The meeting provided general updates from various representatives, including Kelly from Environmental Resource Solutions, who shared organizational history and offered access to historical aerial photography. Adriana St. Row discussed a significant collaboration with ERS to conduct a large-scale Vegetation Treatment Plan (VTP) analysis (approximately 40,000-43,000 acres) for the Goldridge RCD, intended to streamline funding and permitting for wildfire resilience projects. Patty Aaron and Ari DeMarco provided updates on forthcoming community workshops and the Winter Pile Burn workshops hosted by the Good Fire Alliance, Pepperwood, and Sonoma RCD. Joel Butler mentioned discussions with Sonoma RCD regarding workshops in the Gualala watershed and promoted the county's chipper program. Jason Mills reported on securing a signed contract for the North Sonoma Forest Improvement Program and his efforts in assembling a Forest Health grant application involving multiple local organizations. Garrett presented statistics on the successful fall burn season for Fire Forward, noting 94.7 acres led by Fire Forward and 318 supported acres across various areas, resulting in nine new State Certified burn bosses. Lynn Garrick detailed progress on shaded fuel break projects and the development of an educational video on securing funding for such grants. Robert Aguero noted the Coastal Commission approved Sonoma County's local Coastal Plan, which includes streamlined permitting for vegetation management activities. Shay Hopkins detailed a successful prescribed fire training event at Pepperwood coinciding with a CalFire burn. Tam Costa discussed progress on a wood recovery and utilization feasibility study and plans for a wood utilization campus, inviting stakeholders to a final session. Updates on grazing workshops and planning for a Workforce Development workshop series were also provided.

The North Bay Forest Improvement Program (NBFIP) is an innovative incentives program providing public funds and technical assistance to private, non-industrial forest landowners for projects enhancing forest health and resilience. The program's core objectives are to reduce vegetative fuel loads and the risks of wildfire, mitigate insect infestations, and reduce disease epidemics. Key focus areas include timber stand improvement, brush management, slash treatments, site preparation, reforestation, and pruning. The overarching vision is to increase the pace, scale, and effectiveness of forest treatments across Sonoma, Napa, Lake, and Mendocino counties, empowering landowners in long-term forest stewardship.