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Autor: Thea Hensel

  • Greenway Lessons from Austin, Texas

    Greenway Lessons from Austin, Texas

    Reflections on the Greater & Greener Conference

    Austin has parks—big and small, pocket and sprawling, greenways and byways. Some are beautiful and awe-inspiring; others are works in progress, still waiting for their moment. Thirteen hundred people from across the country descended on the city for Greater & Greener, hosted by City Parks Alliance in partnership with Austin Parks and Recreation and The Trail Conservancy. Neal Ramus and Alayza Cervantes from Sonoma Land Trust and I joined park leaders, advocates, and practitioners from around the country to share ideas, network, and learn from one another’s successes and challenges.

    Despite the Texas summer heat and humidity, we did get outside. A variety of tours let us learn directly from local hosts about the details of their projects and the agreements with the City of Austin’s Parks Department that made them possible—conversations that felt especially relevant given our own partnership with the City of Santa Rosa. Evening socials brought music, entertainment, and even more networking, and the conference closed with a night under the stars at the stunning Moody Amphitheater in Waterloo Park.

    A few takeaways worth carrying home:

    • Parks are one of the few public spaces that bring people genuine joy.
    • Cities can’t grow well without good parks.
    • Parks are essential infrastructure—for physical and mental health, respite from heat, building community, economic growth, and shared experience.
    • Strong public/private partnerships are consistently the most common and successful strategy.
    • In disruptive times, parks offer real opportunities for civic engagement and positive change.

    The central idea that stuck with me: parks are part of the solution to the biggest challenges our cities face. Parks are the answer for climate resilience, equity, and community well-being.

    That’s worth remembering as we head into Master Planning workshops for our own Southeast Greenway. Austin reminded me that the most successful parks are the ones shaped by many hands and many voices over time—exactly the kind of process we’re hoping to build here in Santa Rosa.

    Oak tree preserved in downtown Austin Texas   Creek restoration in downtown Austin Texas

  • In Memory of Renee Riggs

    In Memory of Renee Riggs

    Honoring Renee’s Many Years of Service and Spirit

    We are saddened to share that longtime Southeast Greenway volunteer Renee Riggs has passed away. Renee joined our campaign in its early days, after learning about our vision through the Neighborhood Alliance, and she brought that same passion to everything she cared about, including the Southeast Greenway. Renee was the kind of volunteer every community effort hopes for—dedicated, reliable, and always ready to help, whether tabling at events, spreading the word about our progress, helping coordinate the shuttle system for our monthly walks, or showing up with snacks for meetings and gatherings. Her steady presence and generous spirit touched everyone who worked alongside her. We are grateful for her years of service to the project, and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.

  • Reflections and the Road Ahead

    Reflections and the Road Ahead

    A Look at 2025 Accomplishments… and Next Steps

    As we move into a new year for the Southeast Greenway, it’s a good moment to reflect on how far we’ve come — and to look ahead to what’s next.

    The Southeast Greenway Campaign began with a clear goal: to bring this remarkable corridor of land into public ownership. That goal was achieved in October 2024, marking the culmination of more than 14 years of sustained community effort. In 2025, our work shifted toward preparing for the next phase — supporting the City of Santa Rosa as it moves toward planning and shaping the future park.

    Along the way, our collective efforts were recognized with a California Trails & Greenways Award, celebrating the impact of community-led advocacy and long-term collaboration.

    Highlights from the Past Year

    • Campaign to Collaboration
      With the land now publicly owned, the Campaign is transitioning from acquisition to partnership — working alongside the City of Santa Rosa and our fiscal sponsor, Sonoma Land Trust, to support the next phase of planning and public engagement.
    • Stronger Volunteer Program
      In partnership with Sonoma Land Trust, we developed a more structured volunteer program, including a handbook and improved onboarding. Communication and coordination have grown under the leadership of Sue Field, Volunteer Coordinator, helping volunteers stay informed and engaged.
    • School and Youth Outreach
      The Schools Liaison Team, under the guidance of Leslie Melody y Jane Rosenberg, expanded outreach to parents, teachers, and administrators across three school districts, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. Families, students, and educators will be essential voices as community input is gathered for the Greenway’s future.
    • Stewardship and Care for the Land
      Preparations are underway for our first community clean-up day, as we begin to explore what it means to be good stewards of this newly public land. More details will be shared soon.
    • Public Programs on the Greenway
      Sonoma Land Trust hosted a variety of activities to help people experience the Greenway firsthand, including forest bathing, yoga, meditative writing, and nature journaling. The Southeast Greenway team also offered birdwatching, and guided walks. These early programs offered a glimpse of the many ways the Greenway can serve the community.
    • New City Partnerships
      As the project moves forward, we are now working with new City departments. The Department of Transportation and Public Works will lead the master planning process, while the Department of Housing and Community Services will support future programming and public use. We’re grateful for the skilled leadership guiding this transition and look forward to supporting their work.

    As winter rains bring fresh green growth and the sounds of frogs return to the landscape, we’re reminded that the Southeast Greenway is alive with possibility. We invite you to join us as this long-imagined vision continues to take shape — step by step, together.

  • California Wants Your Input on Trail Use

    California Wants Your Input on Trail Use

    Add Your Voice to a State-wide Trail Use Survey

    Would you like an opportunity to help guide future funding and planning for recreational trails in California? The California Natural Resources Agency has launched a statewide trails survey to better understand how people use trails and what improvements matter most. The results will help inform decisions about funding for hiking, biking, and other recreational trail projects across the state.

    The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and we encourage everyone to provide feedback before the survey closes on February 28, 2026.

    Why this matters locally

    Trails play an essential role in recreation, public health, transportation, and access to nature. California’s effort is part of a broader initiative to expand equitable outdoor access, support climate resilience, honor Tribal priorities, and help meet the state’s 30×30 goal — protecting 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030.

    Last fall, Sonoma Land Trust hosted representatives from the California Natural Resources Agency and partner organizations to introduce them to the Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway. That visit helped bring local trail needs and opportunities to the attention of those shaping statewide priorities.

    By participating in this survey, local residents can help ensure that trail projects — including community-scale efforts like the Greenway — are better understood and considered as the state plans future investments.

  • Support the Southeast Greenway

    Support the Southeast Greenway

    Your Donation Makes a Difference

    For years, our Campaign worked to bring the Southeast Greenway into public hands, and we did it! Now we’ve reached a pivotal moment as we shift from land acquisition to actively engaging our community and planning a new Santa Rosa park.

    Working with the City of Santa Rosa and Sonoma Land Trust, we’ll create a park that restores natural areas, supports climate resilience, and welcomes people of all ages to walk, bike, play, learn, and connect. 

    To bring this vision to life, we’re asking for your help once again. Donations will help:

    • Launch the Park Master Planning process; 
    • Support public outreach and community engagement;
    • Build strong partnerships that help care for the land long-term;
    • Leverage private gifts to unlock crucial matching grants;
    • Provide interim activities to keep the Greenway safe, welcoming, and alive while park planning moves forward.

    Will you help us take this step by making a gift today? Every donation matters. Whether it’s $100, $250, $500, $1,000 – or whatever feels right for you – your generosity will make a lasting difference. If you’d like to support this next chapter, you can make a secure online donation or mail a check to Sonoma Land Trust with “Southeast Greenway” in the memo line.

    Thank you for being part of this amazing journey, and for your continued support.

  • Gratitude in the Season of Giving

    Gratitude in the Season of Giving

    The Gift of Time

    “Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” – Helen Dyer

    When I was 14 and volunteering with the Red Cross, I had never felt so proud. I had learned how to wash my hands — long before we were all singing Happy Birthday twice — completed Red Cross training, interviewed for my hospital placement, and figured out the bus route to get there. It was the beginning of a lifelong habit of volunteering.

    Why do we volunteer? There are as many reasons as there are volunteers themselves. The Greenway Campaign arose out of the curiosity of a few and the work of many. It has taken 16 years to arrive where we are today, thanks to the many reasons that continue to bring us to the table.

    It is with deep gratitude, optimism, joy, and pride that I say a big thank you to each and every one of you who are helping follow the dream of a beautiful park for all. In this season of gift-giving, I want you to know that your gift of time and treasure is truly valued. Thank you.

    Thea Hensel
    Chair, Southeast Greenway Campaign