Goals & Needs

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The Climate Resilience Assistant will serve communities and individuals in the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (RCD) district to adapt to and steward resources in the face of increased wildfire risk, water scarcity, floods, species decline and soil degradation. This position will help engage and organize farmers and ranchers to be more resilient to adverse effects exacerbated through our changing climate. This project will build upon and execute an outreach and coordination plan around for the numerous natural resource improvement programs our district provides. This position will perform one on one communication with the community, as well as the staff and board of Gold Ridge RCD. Fellow’s will work both at their desk and in the field by assisting Gold Ridge RCD in promoting regenerative agri-food systems and fire and forest resilience through education, engagement and outreach tasks.

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Capacity Building Projects

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Fellow will assist our Conservation Planner in outreach and completion of Carbon Farm Plans and other conservation planning activities on forested properties. The Fellow will assist with mapping and drafting plans in partnership with land managers and RCD staff. The Fellow will also help land managers learn and access funding opportunities to help implement practices identified in their plans. The Fellow will contribute to outreach and coordination of the RCDs LandSmart Grazing Program as well as a connection to local fire safe councils. The Fellow may also help with outreach and engagement for Monarch butterfly habitat creation on working lands. These services will greatly increase the RCDs ability to provide timely effective outreach. 

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Organizational & Community Highlights

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Gold Ridge RCD was established in the 1941 to promote soil conservation and has continued as a local leader in environmental conservation for climate adaptation, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement and agricultural sustainability. We work voluntarily with our community to empower good stewardship of natural resources.

The Gold Ridge RCD is located outside of the small towns of Sebastopol and Graton. We have 10 experienced, kind, and thoughtful staff. Our office is in an old farmhouse situated on an orchard and vineyard property down a gravel road. There is not regular public transportation to our office, but many staff enjoy biking to work. A Fellow placed with us will have a great opportunity to network with not only dozens of different community organizations but many professional individuals and community members as well. Fellow will have access to our knowledgeable staff and work on varying projects throughout their service. Sonoma County is beautiful with a great need to improve engagement with underserved populations and innovative land managers.