May 12, 2015:
Looking over the wildlife corridor, the tops of buildings at the Sonoma Developmental Center can be seen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Hess Photography.
Sonoma Mountain
‘Transform SDC’ Workshop Materials
May 11, 2015:
In case you were unable to attend the first workshop on May 2nd, but would like to browse or even have the material we gave out to participants, you can easily access them in the link below. You could also email Samantha at samantha@sonomalandtrust.org to either pick up a folder here at Sonoma Land Trust’s office or have one mailed directly to you.
Enjoy!
‘Transform SDC’ Workshop a Success
May 7, 2015:
For those who attended the workshop, it was clearly seen through out the day how successful the event was. A few hundred people attended, prepared to share their comments, ideas, and concerns for the future of the Sonoma Developmental Center. Already in the beginning stages of organizing all the questions, comments, and ideas by going through the multiple post-it notes placed on the numerous idea boards throughout Vintage House, as well as flipping through the many comment cards, it can be seen that a large majority of those who attended provided depth to their thoughts about the possible future of SDC.
If you were not able to attend the first workshop, please take a look at the article below for a great summary of the event. We hope to see you at our next workshop!
Ideas, passions raised at ‘Transform SDC’ workshop
Provided courtesy of the Sonoma Index-Tribune website, by Christian Kallen.
Sonoma Developmental Center, Draft Resource Assessment
May 4, 2015:
The SDC Draft Resource Assessment is here, providing a great compilation of a lot of data about the existing conditions on the SDC property!
The Resource Assessment was prepared based on a review of previous studies completed on the property, local and regional reports and monitoring efforts, GIS mapping and analysis, outreach and interviews with individuals familiar with SDC and its regional significance, and assessments of cultural resources, wildlife permeability, and habitat connectivity completed for SLT. It summarizes the following:
- existing natural resource conditions, prepared by Prunuske Chatham, Inc.
- wildlife permeability and habitat connectivity, prepared by UC Berkeley
- cultural and historical resources, prepared by Tom Origer & Associates
- water resources, prepared by Sonoma County Water Agency
- existing recreational resources, prepared by Sonoma County Regional Parks
- preliminary results of a hazardous materials assessment for areas outside the Core Campus, prepared by ECON/West Yost
- additional data and input provided by Sonoma Ecology Center
You can also view the Resource Assessment on the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District’s website here.
Save the Date! Transform SDC Project Workshop
April 7, 2015:
Join us for the first community workshop to Transform SDC, the Project Introduction and Community Visioning Launching on May 2, 9am to 1pm at the Vintage House in Sonoma. As the State is pushing to close SDC and other developmental centers, we invite you to learn more about this unique community resource and help us chart a course away from closure and towards a transformed and revitalized Center.
As space is limited at Vintage House, we highly encourage interested individuals to RSVP for the Transform SDC Workshop.
You can RSVP by clicking here to register. We look forward to seeing you at the event and hearing your thoughts about this unique community resource to help us chart a course away from closure and towards a transformed and revitalized Center.
Hope to see you there!
‘Change is Coming’ for SDC
April 6, 2015:
With change coming for the Sonoma Developmental Center, many have made a point to have their voices heard, and rightly so.The article below provides a snippet of what was heard at the SDC Legislative Meeting on March 14th.
Sonoma Developmental Center’s Future is at the Top of Sonoma Valley Agenda
The Parent Hospital Associations’ President Kathleen Miller, John McCaull from the Sonoma Land Trust, Director of Developmental Services Santi Rogers, as well as legislative staff and concerned citizens all contributed to this powerful display of support to maintain services for this fragile population as well as retain the Sonoma Valley’s largest employer.
Provided courtesy of Sonoma County Gazette website, by Thomas Martin.
Transform SDC Project Workshop Flyer for May 2
April 2, 2015:
Join us for the first community workshop to Transform SDC, the Project Introduction and Community Visioning Launching on May 2, 9am to 1pm at the Vintage House in Sonoma. As the State is pushing to close SDC and other developmental centers, we invite you to learn more about this unique community resource and help us chart a course away from closure and towards a transformed and revitalized Center.
Please RSVP by April 25th to Samantha at Samantha@sonomalandtrust.org or by phone at (707) 526-6930 ext. 123 so we can adequately prepare.
Hope to see you there!
Give Local Planning for the Future of SDC a Chance
March 23, 2015:
The future of the Sonoma Developmental Center is being considered by state officials and legislator, where some seem to have made up their minds already. Through the LAO report, posted earlier here on the blog, as well as the introduction of a bill, SB 639, both are calling for the closure of the Sonoma Center as well as a similar facility in Costa Mesa with the reasoning in both cases being money.
The SDC Coalition is hoping to find a more sensible outcome, one that could promise cost savings for the state and preserve an important community service and critical corridor for wildlife. The coalition is inviting the community to participate in a planning workshop at the Vintage House in Sonoma on May 2nd.
Click on the link below to connect to this great editorial highlighting the efforts being made to preserve the Sonoma Developmental Center.
PD Editorial: Give local plan for Sonoma Developmental Center a chance
Provided courtesy of the Press Democrat website, PD Editorial.
The Main Building Against the Sonoma Mountain
March 21,2015:
Constructed in 1908, the brick building seen through the brush against the Sonoma Mountain served as the Main Administration Building from 1908 to 1957. It was then used as the Professional Education Center from 1957 to 1980. It was finally placed on the National Register of Historical Places by the Glen Ellen Historical Society on August 25th, 2001.
Photo courtesy of Paolo Vescia Photography.
A Sonoma County Coalition Committed to Preserving SDC
March 16, 2015:
Distributed at the start of the SDC Legislative Meeting on Saturday was the following flyer attached below. This handout, created courtesy of the Parent Hospital Association, provides a brief overview of a few of the SDC Coalition’s key partners. As described in the flyer, these partners have pledged their support in ensuring the Coalition’s vision of preserving critical health services, protecting the environmental resources, and opening the land to the public is achieved.
A Sonoma County Coalition Is Committing Its Resources to Preserving Sonoma Developmental Center
Provided courtesy of the Parent Hospital Association via the SDC Legislative Meeting.
Transform SDC 