Discover the Historic Headwaters of the Laguna de Santa Rosa

Explore the upper reach of the Laguna de Santa Rosa from downtown Cotati to the historic “headwaters” on a gentle, level, (but not wheelchair accessible) 3-mile loop walk. A number of local experts will share their knowledge and insights of the natural and cultural history of the area. This leisurely amble will include highlights about the Ross Street vernal pools; Cotati Creek Critters restoration and education work; Cotati’s water-saving permaculture “Pocket Park;” Rohnert Park's Lydia Commons Community Garden (where we’ll stop for a picnic lunch); and the surprising historic headwaters of the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Jenny Blaker and Michael Knappman will lead the loop walk from downtown Cotati to the historic headwaters of the Laguna and back. Kate Symonds will join us briefly in the beginning of the walk, and a volunteer with Daily Acts, Judith Newton, will give us a tour of Pocket Park. This walk is most suitable for adults (slow with lots of stops).

Meeting in Cotati (directions and details sent upon registration)

$25. Pre-registration required: www.lagunafoundation.org 

Jenny Blaker co-founded Cotati Creek Critters in 1998 and was Outreach Coordinator for their grant-funded habitat restoration project, which involved thousands of volunteers planting and maintaining native plants alongside the Laguna de Santa Rosa channel in Cotati from 2006-2012. Jenny lives along the Laguna in Cotati and has an MA in Conservation Psychology from SSU, which was based on the Cotati Creek Critters project. 

Michael Knappman has been on the Lydia Commons Community Garden organizing committee since its inception in 2009. He has been active as a Master Gardener, helping promote community gardens and school gardens in Sonoma County. He has been walking the Laguna channel in his neighborhood for the past 25 years. 

Kate Symonds is a biologist with 30 years of experience, including 20 years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (recently retired), in which the last 12 years she specialized in habitat restoration and native plants. She now lives in Cotati and volunteers as the Invasive Plants Chair of the California Native Plant Society Milo Baker Chapter and as a docent at Fairfield Osborne Preserve. 

Judith Newton started Transition Cotati and is a long-time volunteer with Daily Acts, having helped develop Pocket Park since its inception. She is a founding member of FrogSong Cohousing in Cotati.