Van Hoosear, Sugarloaf host wildflower walks

The public is invited to attend one of the numerous wildflower walks taking place at the Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve or Sugarloaf Ridge State Park this spring.

Wildflower walks are scheduled at the Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve, from 10 a.m. to noon, Sunday, March 30; Saturday, April 5; Thursday, April 10 and Saturday, April 12.

The Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve is known for one of the best wildflower displays in Sonoma County. The 162-acre property in the foothills of Sonoma Mountain is protected by a conservation easement made possible by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District and the California Wildlife Conservation Board. The property is managed under a partnership with the landowner and Sonoma Ecology Center, to protect the Preserve’s unique plants, thriving streams, and wildlife habitat.

There is no charge for the Van Hoosear wildflower walks. The walks are made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the Open Space District's work with a quarter-cent sales tax. Reservations must be made by 5 p.m. on the day prior to the walk. These popular walks fill to capacity on a first come-first served basis every year, so early registration is encouraged.

Hikes at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 29; Saturday, April 6; Saturday, April 19 and Saturday, May 3

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is operated by Team Sugarloaf, a coalition of five nonprofit partners led by Sonoma Ecology Center.

The park includes more than 3,900 acres, with a wide array of habitats and a corresponding diversity of flowers in spring and summer. The park includes hillside grasslands with lupines, paintbrush, and iris, wet areas with seep-spring monkeyflower, creeks with western azalea, chaparral areas with ceanothus and chamise, hardwood forests with delicate chocolate lilies, and redwood forests with starflower.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park wildflower walks are free; an entry fee or park pass is required for vehicles. These walks are one-to-three miles long.

For more information about any of the wildflower walks, or to register for a walk, visit the Sonoma Ecology Center website at sonomaecologycenter.org.