The Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation is dedicated to restoring and conserving the Laguna de Santa Rosa and inspiring appreciation for Sonoma County’s internationally recognized wetland. For over 35 years, the Foundation has worked to ensure the health and resilience of this vital ecosystem through three main areas: restoration, conservation science, and education. We work closely across our programs and with partners including non-profits, government entities, and land owners.
Our Restoration program reconnects riparian forests, creeks, and waterways by planting tens of thousands of native trees and plants grown in our native plant nursery, while removing invasive species. Conservation Science focuses on vernal pool grasslands and protection of endangered and rare plant species. We conduct research on endangered species and restoration effectiveness to inform both our own and partner stewardship efforts. Together, these actions improve water quality, restore habitats, support pollinators, increase biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change by expanding natural buffer zones and increasing carbon storage across the watershed.
Our education programs inspire appreciation and understanding of the Laguna’s ecological importance across generations. Through our Learning Laguna program, volunteer docents engage students with hands-on science-based education in classrooms and along the Laguna. Community education events such as workshops, lectures, and guided nature walks further connect community members with the watershed’s unique ecosystems.
Engagement with the community is central to our mission. Children participate in immersive nature experiences through field trips and summer camps, fostering early connections with the natural world. Adults and families engage in hands-on habitat stewardship projects, attend events, and explore the Laguna through art, science, and education.
Volunteers are a cornerstone of the Foundation’s success, contributing time and skills to sustain programs, restoration efforts, and outreach initiatives. Through their support, the Foundation continues to enhance the Laguna de Santa Rosa for current and future generations.
http://lagunafoundation.org