Sonoma Land Trust Acquires Glen Ellen Fish Preserve

The Sonoma Land Trust has high hopes for a recently acquired property, located near the intersection of Highway 12 and Arnold Drive in Glen Ellen.

The 3.53-acre property, typically called “Stuart Creek Run," includes a one-third mile stretch of Stuart Creek which supports a stable run of federally threatened steelhead trout and was acquired with purchase money loaned by a donor. 

Most of the fisheries in the Stuart Creek watershed have been largely inaccessible to steelhead for decades because the stream an eroding bridge prevents steelhead from jumping over it.

The eroding bridge also threatens to fall into the creek, generating tons of polluting sediment. Removal of this barrier has been identified as one of the highest priorities for recovering steelhead in the Bay Area by the Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration. 

The property was first brought to the attention of the Land Trust by the and Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown — they requested the Land Trust’s assistance in acquiring it from landowners Toni and Jeff Piccinini who favored a conservation outcome.

“With the Sonoma Land Trust taking ownership, we can now restore this special part of Sonoma Valley to once again provide safe passage for native fish and wildlife,” said Richard Dale, executive director of the Sonoma Ecology Center.

Along with reestablishing the creek’s historic channel pattern to give steelhead access to 14 miles of high-quality spawning habitat, Stuart Creek Run offers an ideal spot for a charming roadside park where residents and visitors to the valley could enjoy a tranquil picnic, take a leisurely stroll, and learn about fish and creek restoration.

“The size of this lovely little property belies its huge promise for becoming a community treasure,” said First District Supervisor Valerie Brown. “I am grateful the Sonoma Land Trust found a way to buy it so it can meet its potential and enrich the lives of residents in our beautiful Sonoma Valley.”

The Land Trust will partner with Sonoma Ecology Center to restore Stuart Creek’s riparian and fish habitat and create a park on the property.

The group will seek both private and public funding for this project, which includes removing the steelhead migration barrier, stabilizing the stream channel and rejuvenating the riparian habitat.

"Even in an era of threatened park closures, we could not pass up this opportunity,” said Ralph Benson, Sonoma Land Trust executive director. “With the help of the community, Stuart Creek Run will open up Stuart Creek for the steelhead, and will also eventually make a splendid addition to the public amenities of the Sonoma Valley.”

The Sonoma Land Trust has protected more than 26,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural and open land in and around Sonoma County for future generations. 

Individuals interested in contributing to this extraordinary project may contact Beverly Scottland at (707) 526-6930, ext. 108, or go to www.sonomalandtrust.org. Naming opportunities are also available.