Sofia Sanchez’s eyes sparkle when she talks about nature. A Sonoma Valley High School senior and an intern at the Bouverie Preserve, Sofia recently led a bilingual hike for Spanish-speaking families involved in ACR’s Junior Naturalist (Juniper) Program. “I was nervous at first, but it was really fun,” she remarked after her first three-hour hike.

Sofia became involved at Bouverie Preserve in October, when her mentor and MGP Docent Deb Piatelli introduced her to ACR’s Director of Stewardship Jeanne Wirka. As part of her senior project, Sofia is required to conduct research that includes a public education element. “I really love nature so the Bouverie Preserve is a perfect place for me,” she says.

Sofia is assisting with the wildlife camera research at Bouverie, where she...

The magnificent Grandmother Tree at Bouverie Preserve has been a source of admiration and a sentinel for many -- our staff, docents and visitors alike. Recent storms resulted in a significant crack in the main stem of the Grandmother Tree.  The photos below show the cool peep hole and the massive branch above the hole.  The crack is at the base of that branch, which means the whole tree is unstable.  Working with an arborist, we determined that this major crack, combined with cracks in other branches, and the fact that the tree has been suffering from heart rot (probably for decades) means bracing the tree will not preserve it for much longer. We have made the difficult decision to fell the tree.