Rooted Together Outside

Connecting Kids with the Land

It was late winter and students from Ridgway High School were harvesting miner’s lettuce along a forested trail above Duckworth Family Farm.  

“Wow, that’s beautiful!” said one of the students from the continuation high school in Santa Rosa, admiring the expansive view of the farm below. The wild lettuce forage was one of many highlights of the field trip, which also included a lesson on weaving local fibers on an antique loom with Farmer Lorri Duckworth, and quiet nature time in their chosen sit spots.  

“I was just chilling next to a bird, and it was really nice,” said Savon who was usually more interested in skateboarding than birdwatching. The field trip was just one of many weeks of school programs that took place this year at Duckworth Farm, our newest land partner.  

Protected by an easement from Sonoma County Ag & Open Space, the farm has swiftly become a well-loved site for In Our Own Backyard environmental education and Inspired Forward field trips during the school year. Over the summer, Owl Campers from the Santa Rosa City School District arrived by bus and delighted in hours spent in nature buoyed by new friends and trusted adult mentors.  

During these immersive outdoor experiences, youth who might not otherwise get access to nature in this way, explored the water critters in Blucher Creek, played games of tag in the fields, and ate ice cream made from blueberries grown on the land! As you might imagine, this last activity is perennially popular and leaves kids clamoring to return. 

In addition to Lorri and Oscar Duckworth, we thank all of our land partners: Susan and Lou Preston at Preston Farm, Will and Julie Parish at Bohemia Ecological Preserve, and Jim and Betty Doerksen at Rancho Mark West. By sharing their land, they all make it possible for LandPaths to connect youth with local nearby open spaces, nurturing generations of future earth stewards! 

Expanding Access to Nature

On a clear morning in May, Larry Modell – a volunteer docent with LandPaths – led a group of people along the trails at Lafferty Ranch. Owned by the City of Petaluma, the historic park was finally made accessible to the public in 2022 through outings like these. An awe-inspiring view of the Petaluma valley across the San Francisco skyline was a worthy reward after the uphill trek.  

“I look up at this mountain every day,” one participant said afterwards. “It was so nice to be able to explore it at last.”  

Many people worked for decades to open access to Lafferty Ranch, the sole open space preserve on the east side of Petaluma. We are proud to be part of that legacy, enabling people who live nearby to explore the property, learning about its fascinating ecological history, and gaining a green space nearby from which to gain rest and respite from the bustle of the city. In addition to docent outings, we’ve also offered Spanish language outings at Lafferty with Vamos Afuera con LandPaths.  

“These outings allow hundreds more people to know and love that property, fostering that love needed to sustain the effort to open it fully as a park,” says Larry. “And looked at broadly, such constituency building for public lands and open space are an important byproduct of LandPaths’ work, and one that we should all support.”  

Forging a New Way with Old Tools

In November 2022, fire was gently introduced back to the land at LandPaths’ Grove of Old Trees. The 12-acre controlled burn was conducted by Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Fire Forward program, in partnership with LandPaths’ stewardship staff and volunteers, to support the ecological health of the redwoods and reduce potentially hazardous wildfire fuels in the understory.   

Five months later, grazing was reintroduced to the land at Ocean Song/Myers Preserve. The return of cows is thanks to a robust partnership with True Grass Farms with the stewardship goal of reducing coastal shrub encroachment while revitalizing the existing grasslands.  

Wildfire and grazing are old, proven tools for keeping coastal prairies and forests vibrant and healthy. In fact, the grasses, trees, and wildlife that make their home here have evolved with fire and grazing. Some are even dependent on regular cycles of one or the other, or both, to thrive.  

As human-caused climate disruption triggers dramatic changes to the functioning of the earth’s ecological systems with often devasting impacts on vulnerable communities, LandPaths has committed to caring for the land based in close attention to what the grasslands, woodlands, waterways, and forests need for improved health and ecology.  

And we depend on participants like you to deepen the impact of that work – whether it’s as a volunteer with our wildlife camera program or the commitment to spend a few hours of pulling invasive French broom at a preserve or donating to ensure we can continue to care for the land and each other. In truth, steadily widening the circle is essential when it comes to growing community with nature.  

How did you first connect with LandPaths?  

Land Paths is an organization I was not aware of 10 years ago.  When my older son turned 8, I began exploring programs that would be of interest for him during the summer months. It was then that I became aware of the work LandPaths did to encourage youth to spend time outdoors and connect with nature.  

Why did you decide to start volunteering with LandPaths?  

In 2018, when my daughter turned four, I attended a volunteer training. The program lead was quick in figuring out our strengths and made us feel like valued members of the team. LandPaths strives to serve various populations in our community, including people from marginalized groups. As a result, this organization recognizes that they need the support of volunteers from different backgrounds and abilities because they want as much as possible to meet the needs of every participant and provide a sense of inclusiveness and belonging.  

For the last few years, I’ve volunteered every summer to help in different capacities with camps. I support the core team with material preparation, drive carpools, and help make camp a fun, nature-immersive experience for campers.  

Do you have any favorite moments from being a volunteer?  

Both of my children participate in LandPaths’ youth/teen programs. My daughter who’s now 9, is an enthusiastic camper at Owl Camp.  Her favorite place to visit every year is Rancho Mark West. My son, now 18 and an avid kayaker, asks every year to be part of the Russian River Teen Trek, through which he’s gained a special appreciation for river.  

How did you first get involved with LandPaths? 

I like to be generous with the organizations I believe in. When I moved to Sonoma County eight years ago, I found LandPaths online and was attracted to the mission, the programs, and particularly the offerings for youth. LandPaths’ youth programs are meaningful, relevant, and stand out. I feel that having the privilege of having resources comes with the responsibility of sharing them.  

Why do you choose to support LandPaths monthly and with your legacy gift? 

I like all the aspects of LandPaths’ work, including the work on the preserves, the work with youth, the programs at Bayer Farm and even the work you do in your offices. I like that the organization is well-run and local and features a collection of fine minds. LandPaths is practical and does the right thing. 

And I am particularly interested in connecting youth with the land. Choosing LandPaths for a legacy gift goes a long way to ensure that Sonoma County’s children will learn to value the land and learn to care for it during their lives.  

What are your hopes for the outcome of your legacy gift?  

By giving LandPaths a large financial gift at the time of my death, my legacy becomes their legacy to the land and the children of Sonoma County. My goals are to help finance and grow the organization, to teach the school children of Sonoma County about nature in the classroom and outside, to provide funds for land acquisition as needed to build on protected open spaces, and to support the organization so it may thrive going forward.