The carbon cycle is the exchange of carbon among the Earth and its soils, oceans and waterbodies, the atmosphere, and living things. Agriculture uses the carbon cycle to produce plant matter, both above and below ground. Agricultural activities can lead to increases or decreases of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. The implementation of land management practices that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or increase the amount of carbon sequestered in soils and plant material is often referred to as “Carbon Farming.”

Conservation efforts have focused on enhancing salmon habitat by removing fish passage barriers for migrating salmon and creating habitat for salmonids. Construction of off-channel winter refugia habitat and installation of large woody debris structures are both examples of habitat enhancement projects. The RCD has also worked to enhance water resources in the Green Valley-Atascadero watershed by commissioning a watershed-wide hydrological study, engaging the community on best conservation practices, and developing infrastructure for alternative water sourcing and storing.

The Atascadero Green Valley (AGV) Watershed is a subwatershed of the Russian River, draining 18.7 miles of blue line streams. Green Valley Creek’s headwaters lie just west of the town of Graton, and Atascadero Creek’s headwaters are just north of the town of Bloomfield. Atascadero flows north to the town of Graton, where it has its confluence with Green Valley Creek. At this confluence is the Atascadero marsh, home to a wide variety of water fowl, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

The vineyard is tucked away in the southwest corner of the Russian River Valley, where the sandy blond soil known as Goldridge is plentiful. This coveted soil is all that’s left of an ancient inland sea that existed five million years ago. Today, this distinctive soil is renowned for its impact on the Pinot Noir grapes of Sonoma County. The characteristics of this distinct soil create stress on the vines and allow deep root penetration, creating an ideal environment for yielding high-quality wine grapes.