Hidden Treasure

The advent of spring is a magical natural phenomenon.

Especially so in the wake of winter’s cold rains and dwindling fire woodpiles, when the ancient vernal (springtime) gifts of warmer days and welcome sun offer some of our best planetary pleasures.

Spring, with its nesting birds and the production of wildlife young, also marks another profound fulfillment, the affirmation of life promised during the winter solstice and the holiday ceremonies humans have devised over time to hasten back the sun.

For hikers walking the public access trails—some paved, others not—in the Laguna de Santa Rosa, spring is a splendid time to refresh oneself with the natural marvels of the vernal season.

The area’s wildlife and birds are more visibly out and about caring for and feeding their young during the spring
nesting season.

Some 14 miles long, the modern channel drains a 254-square-mile watershed and continues to provide habitat for a wide range of birds and wildlife despite its intense use in the modern era for vineyards, treated wastewater disposal and grazing for beef and dairy cattle.

Indeed, the Laguna is still an area of creeks, open water, perennial marshes, seasonal wetlands, riparian forests, oak woodland and grasslands that provide refuge to hundreds of species of birds ranging from bald eagles to hummingbirds; mammals such as mink, badger, bobcat and river otter; and numerous fish and amphibians, including several rare and endangered species.

The Laguna’s riparian forest—critical habitat for many species—is layered with trees, shrubs and undergrowth that provide food, shelter and a travel corridor for the hidden lives of wildlife. The Laguna is considered to be the second biggest freshwater wetland complex on the northern California coast, even if it has been diminished over time by the hand of man.

Back in the day, say around the early 1900s, what had been a network of small lakes, creeks and vernal pools was turned into the summer time channel seen today after it was drained primarily by equine powered equipment to increase farm land.

But, as those familiar with the Laguna would agree, much remains.

GUIDED HIKING IN THE LAGUNA

The Laguna, which was recently named as a Wetlands of  International Importance by the Ramsar Convention, an international wetlands-conservation treaty group, is accessible to the public hiker in a couple of different ways.

Private individuals can access parts of the Laguna on their own. Others, more inclined to group activity, will be increasingly able to gain even greater access to the Laguna, including new trails opening up this spring through a partnership sponsored by the Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District and operated by docents and guides from the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation and LandPaths.

“The District funds these outings as part of a larger Outings Program, to get the public out on protected lands that are awaiting transfer to regional or state parks for park development,” said Open Space District spokeswoman Peggy Flynn. “Last year more than 4,000 people participated in District-sponsored outings offered by LandPaths, the Sonoma Ecology Center, the Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District, Sotoyome Resource Conservation District, the  Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship and the Laguna Foundation.”

“As for the trails,” she added, “the first phase of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Trails project—a partnership of the District and (County) Regional Parks—includes approximately 2.4 miles of trails on Kelly Farm and an adjoining protected property that will offer opportunities for hiking, biking and horseback riding.”

These trails, Flynn said, will eventually connect to the City of Sebastopol’s trails on the Laguna Wetlands Preserve with completion of construction by this fall.

LandPaths Field Programs Director Jonathan Glass says the partnership with the Laguna Foundation has been a
fruitful one.

“LandPaths has been connecting people to connected lands in the Laguna since 2000, with over 20 hikes, bike rides, and even paddle trips and music festivals,” Glass said.

“These outings have been very popu-lar, as evidenced by a waitlist on most,” he added. “Last year we began an official partnership with the Laguna Foundation to increase the number of outings and the audience reached.”

Themes have varied from birding, wildlife, native history, family explorations and oak restoration. Many of the trips have been led in both Spanish and English.

“We also have school groups adopting Laguna properties as part of our ‘In Our Own Backyard’ environmental education program,” Glass said.

At the Laguna Foundation, Director of Education Christine Fontaine says her organization is looking for new docents to help lead all of these outings.

“This is a great time to become involved with the Laguna Foundation and become a docent because of the imminent opening of the new Laguna trail, the construction of the new Laguna Learning Center and the recent designation of a Wetland of International Importance,” she said. “We are actively recruiting right now for training that starts on March 14.”

GOING SOLO

For individuals, the Laguna Wetlands Preserve overseen by the city of Sebastopol is one of the best places for the solo walker to access its riparian and upland wonders.

You can even put in your kayak there for a short paddle or traverse the area’s gravel trails that skirt ponds and marshes. There are rest stops on benches set up beneath some large ash and valley oak trees. There is also a two-mile trail that circles the entire area, which is open to walkers and wheelchairs but not bicycles. Keep your dog on a leash, however.

Getting there is easy: just park in the lot at the Sebastopol Community Center on Morris Street and look for the trellised trailhead.

There is another spot on the other end of town, behind Palm Drive Hospital, called the Laguna Uplands that provides views to Sonoma Mountain and Mount St. Helena to the northeast. A short trail leads to a bench. This small refuge is at the end of Palm Avenue off Petaluma Avenue near the hospital.  •

The following public outings and activities scheduled for the Laguna de Santa Rosa this spring and summer are sponsored by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District and led by LandPaths and the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.

Laguna Evening Exploration, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Free.

This outing is part of iWALK and celebrates spring’s arrival, offering a close-up look at the Laguna during dusk when birds and wildlife are active. Laguna Foundation docents and City of Santa Rosa Natural Resource Specialist Denise Cadman will help explore Alpha Farm, a district-protected property supporting local agriculture and wildlife habitat. Owls, bats and coyotes might be spotted while listening to the scoop about Laguna restoration projects and enjoying a BYO picnic dinner.

Families are encouraged for the two- to three-mile easy walk, but expect uneven footing. Bring food, water and a flashlight. Spanish and English will be spoken.

Laguna Tree Planting Extravaganza, 9 a.m. to noon. Free.

Volunteers will work with LagunaKeepers to plant willow sprigs in the Laguna. It’s the beginning of a massive open space district-sponsored project to plant some 3,000 trees there by 2015.

Snacks provided. No experience necessary; wear mud boots and be ready to get a little dirty. Space is limited.

Sonoma County Treasure: Vernal Pools of the Santa Rosa Plain, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.

Vernal pools are a beautiful and ephemeral phenomenon each spring. Sonoma County is one of the few places in the world where they can be found. The unique environment of vernal pools provides habitat for numerous rare plants and animals able to survive and thrive in fluctuating conditions of wet and dry.

The Laguna Foundation and LandPaths team up for this learning adventure in the field. Wear waterproof shoes and be prepared to walk over uneven ground. Space is limited.

Laguna Foundation Delta Pond Rookery Walk, multiple a.m. times. $10 per person.

Laguna docents will lead walks to the great blue heron, double-crested cormorant, and great egret nesting site at the confluence of Santa Rosa Creek and the Laguna. This is the only way community members can experience this natural phenomena. Proceeds will directly support the Foundation’s school program. For times and more information, check www.lagunafoundation.org/laguna_walks_classes.shtml.

Family Wetland Exploration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.

The 2010 Exploration event featured a scavenger hunt and docents at several stations, stamping children’s “learning passports” that earned a reward when completed. Arrive at the Sebastopol Laguna Wetlands Preserve anytime between 10 and noon and plan to stay about 2 hours.

To sign up or RSVP for these LandPaths outings or get more information, email outings@landpaths.org or visit www.LandPaths.org.