Belonging to Place
LandPaths Fosters a Love of the Land
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LANDPATHS
An Interview with Danny Chaparro, New Audiences Manager at LandPaths
Made Local: What is the mission of LandPaths, how did it begin, and what has been its journey since its inception?
Danny Chaparro: Our mission is to foster a love of the land in Sonoma County. LandPaths was founded in 1996 by action-oriented women to support under-resourced State Parks with volunteer-powered land stewardship. Nearly three decades later, thousands of individuals, youth, and families have experienced outdoor firsts and invested time and muscle into caring for the land with us. We have staunchly (even stubbornly) pursued diversity and inclusivity. For example, we launched the first Spanish language outings program in Sonoma County and swerved around many obstacles to establish community gardens in Roseland and southwest Santa Rosa. We remain compelled by belonging and joy, courage and common purpose.
ML: What are some of the key properties and natural areas that LandPaths manages?
DC: LandPaths stewards multiple open space preserves in Sonoma County: Bohemia Ecological Preserve, Grove of Old Trees, and Ocean Song/Myers Preserve in Occidental, Rancho Mark West in Santa Rosa (with land partners Jim and Betty Doerksen), Riddell Preserve in Healdsburg, Bayer Farm in Roseland, and Jeff’s Garden at Andy’s Unity Park in southwest Santa Rosa. We also partner on outings, camps, and land stewardship with the City of Healdsburg at Fitch Mountain and Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve, City of Petaluma at Lafferty Ranch, and Preston Farm in Healdsburg.
ML: How does LandPaths approach conservation and sustainable land management?
DC: Community partnerships lie at the heart of LandPaths’ mission to foster a love of the land in Sonoma County—in fact, our name stands for Land Partners Through Stewardship. This means a lot of people with their hands in the dirt, making even the most difficult tasks lighter. Depending on the season, our stewardship team alongside volunteers like you, are building and maintaining trails, helping to regenerate precious native grasslands by removing invasive species like yellow star-thistle, and practicing prescribed burning on preserves alongside forestry to reduce potential wildfire fuels and help native plants and ecosystems, like oak woodlands, thrive.
ML: Could you tell us about some of the key programs LandPaths offers?
DC: LandPaths’ programs fall under three initiatives. Rooting Youth in Nature includes Owl Camp, a nature day camp for kids ages 6 to 13 and Camp Trillium, created to build belonging, safety, and joy in the outdoors for LGBTQI+ youth and allies. We provide scholarships to more than 40% of campers.
During the school year, our youth team is busy with In Our Own Backyard (IOOBY), which brings standards-based environmental education to 14 elementary schools in Sonoma County, and Inspired Forward for teens. We also offer robust volunteer land stewardship opportunities for the public and workforce training for youth ages 16 to 20 through Young Stewards.
Finally, there are our two community gardens in Santa Rosa where all kinds of things happen, including Let’s Read Outside, which is art and storytelling inspired by nature for kids 0 to 6. Plus, Vamos Afuera con LandPaths outings entirely in Spanish for families and individuals, and docent-led free and sliding scale outings at Lafferty Ranch and Bohemia Ecological Preserve. Check our Calendar to find out all the ways to participate!
Also, our 14th annual Harvest Festival celebrates community, culture, and nature in Santa Rosa! Come on out and join us for this free event featuring live music and dance performances, a community information fair, garden tours, storytelling, art activities, a grape stomp for kids, and much more (see the sidebar at right)!
ML: Can you share any success stories or impactful experiences from participants in your programs?
DC: Where to start? Over the past three decades, there have been countless stories of impact! Here’s just one recent example: Each summer, we foster outdoor teaching and leadership skills for dozens of teen volunteers at our nature camps. Recently, a staff member at Victor Treatment Center thanked us for the impact of the experience on a youth that they work with, and he stated, “He’s really enjoyed his time at camp and seems to be developing his confidence the longer he does it. Volunteering at Owl Camp is so positive for the kids who participate.”
ML: How does LandPaths incorporate indigenous knowledge and perspectives into its programs?
DC: Our stewardship team has participated in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) workshops and professional development opportunities, and the learning has been applied to their approach to managing the preserves. We also have an internal Right Relations committee, which is dedicated to respecting, making space, prioritizing land access requests, and honoring the knowledge, culture, and deep connection to the natural world of the Southern Pomo, Coast Miwok, Mishewal Wappo, and other local Indigenous tribes.
ML: What drew you personally to work with LandPaths, and what keeps you motivated in your role?
DC: As a Roseland native, I have always been around Bayer Farm. I heard about LandPaths but didn’t know exactly what they did. It wasn’t until I saw the mission to foster a love of the land that I understood what it was all about. And that’s what reeled me in! As someone who comes from a community like Roseland, the outdoors was never an interest to me. I called my parents to pick me up early from a camping trip when I was in 6th grade because I couldn’t handle sleeping in the wilderness. Now, I’ve learned to thrive in environments where I’m uncomfortable, which allows me to grow professionally and as a human. As New Audiences Manager, that’s what it’s all about—being vulnerable myself while showing people that being outside is for everyone and that we should not be limited by our fears. Instead, we should embrace them and grow from these experiences.
ML: How can individuals or organizations get involved in volunteering or supporting LandPaths?
DC: Opportunities to volunteer are plentiful at LandPaths! This fall, you can get out on the land at Rancho Mark West to water redwood saplings or at Ocean Song Preserve for light forestry and tending the pollinator garden. If you live in Healdsburg, consider joining us at Riddell Preserve to help with wildfire fuels reduction like pulling invasive French broom, which is surprisingly fun and deeply satisfying. Or come on out for a drop-in workday at Bayer Farm or Jeff’s Garden at Andy’s Unity Park. We also welcome organizations for group stewardship days. In addition, we need volunteers to help support IOOBY and camps and the upcoming Harvest Festival.
14th Annual LandPaths Harvest Festival
Saturday, September 28, 10am-2pm
Bayer Farm, 1550 West Avenue, Santa Rosa
Celebrate community, culture, and nature in the city! Come on out and join us for this free event featuring live music and dance performances, a community information fair, garden tours, storytelling, art activities, a grape stomp for kids, and much more!
More info at landpaths.org
LandPaths
landpaths.org | (707) 544-7284
Laura Revilla at laura@landpaths.org