The Sonoma Mountain Ranch Preservation Foundation, a charitable, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Sonoma Mountain area, and providing education and guidance, through research, for the preservation and enhancement of agricultural, natural, scenic, and open lands. The Foundation promotes grazing practices and management activities that preserve, steward, and enhance Foundation land and maintain habitat for special-status species present there, and provide education and guidance through research for the preservation and enhancement of agricultural, natural, scenic, and open lands. The Mitsui Ranch is subject to a Deed of Conservation Easement held by The Nature Conservancy, an IRC Section 501(c3) organization. As part of the easement, The Nature Conservancy has the right “to protect, preserve, enhance and restore the natural habitat, to study and make scientific observations of the ecosystems and native species.” The relationship of the Foundation activities to the activities of other conservation organizations is enhanced because the Mitsui Ranch is immediately adjacent to three properties owned by government entities as protected properties including the North Sonoma Mountain County Park; the Lafferty Ranch (City of Petaluma); and Jack London State Historic Park. The Foundation will maintain a small administrative and support staff and provide research and education opportunities to designated institutions and individuals. Research, and knowledge we gain from its products, will be the currency with which we buy cooperation and direct involvement with County Park personnel, regional water districts, state and federal agencies, and neighbors, for the purpose of exporting successful management and restoration actions. In this way, the Foundation can help improve lands far beyond its holdings.
