Field Trip to Doty Ravine
On May 24, we partnered with the California Beaver Policy Working Group and wrangled 50 state leaders from Sacramento to Doty Ravine to see beaver restoration in action. Protected since … Read more
Watch Brock’s Firesafe Sonoma Talk: Fuels to Flows
Brock Dolman, Ecologist and Director of the OAEC Wildlands program, gave an online presentation for FireSafe Sonoma on May 23rd, 2023 introducing the concept of “Fuels to Flows” – turning … Read more
SAVE THE DATE: May 25 CDFW Beaver Restoration Virtual Meeting
As we’ve reported before, Governor Gavin Newsomâs proposal to launch a new Beaver Restoration Program at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) became a reality on July 1st, … Read more
Bioneers Radio interviews our Beaver Believers
Neil Harvey, host of Bioneers Radio, interviews Kate Lundquist and Brock Dolman to learn all about beaver: their history in North America, how they slow and spread water, create critical … Read more
YES Magazine highlights Climate Justice In Sonoma County
April 24, 2023 – YES Magazine published an excellent article by our friend and photojournalist Brooke Anderson that features OAEC’s collaboration with North Bay Jobs with Justice (NBJwJ) and workers from their Farmworker … Read more
Watch OAEC’s Short Film for the UN Decade of Restoration
From âdrought to deluge,â we are facing the drastic swings of the climate crisis – and grappling with how to respond. At OAEC, we hold an active and hopeful vision … Read more
Fenceline Watch Becomes a UN Accredited OrgÂ
Last month, OAEC was proud to support our fiscally sponsored project, Fenceline Watch, by applying and successfully receiving accreditation under the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)! Fenceline Watch is an environmental justice group fighting toxic pollution in … Read more
Celebrating the 5 “Kindoms” on iNaturalist!
Did you know OAEC is home to over 127 species of fungi, 326 species of animalia and 290 species of plantae? Since 2003, Brock Dolman, Director of the OAEC Wildlands … Read more
NBC news – Intersection of Fire & Water at OAEC
“It’s time to take our fire fears and connect that with our water woes!” – Brock Dolman As we thin and limb our forests and landscapes towards fire fuels reduction, … Read more
Happy International Beaver Day!
While there are all sorts of serious reasons to love beaver (including their ability to create habitat for many species, buffer the effects of climate change, increase the presence of … Read more
Dr Rajendra Singh at OAEC
This spring, OAEC and the WATER Institute were honored to welcome world renowned water conservationist Dr. Rajendra Singh to OAEC for a weekend of skill sharing and inspiration. Dr Rajendra … Read more
OAEC Makes a Splash in Restoration Journal
Ecesis, the quarterly news journal of SerCal (California Society for Ecological Restoration) features an article written by our own WATER Institute Co-Directors, Kate Lundquist and Brock Dolman, and Development and … Read more
Program Administration Internship
Are you interested in learning how to run a successful retreat and education center? Join us as a Program Administration Intern to support a wide range of OAECâs internal programs ⊠Read more
Facilities Internship / Retreat Assistant
The Facilities Internship tackles the usual array of facilities related work that maintains and improves the infrastructure at OAEC. The facilities intern works in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, … Read more
Garden Internship
Explore the world of organic gardening through OAEC’s annual Garden Internship in our 50-year-old biointensive gardensâa rich setting for experiential learning. Work closely with our Garden Manager, engaging in all … Read more
2022 Update
OAEC works to inspire communities to build and imagine the ecologically regenerative and socially just world that we know is possible. At OAECâs 80-acre landbase in Sonoma County, we demonstrate … Read more
20% off at the Nursery Nov 5-6, 12-13
20% off everything! We’re staying open two more weekends: November 5&6, 12&13 10am – 5pm 15290 Coleman Valley Rd (upper driveway), Occidental CA Don’t miss your last chance to bring … Read more
New Multimedia Series on WATER
What is your relationship with water? Do you know where your water comes from or how it gets to you? For the most part, modern developed societies have taken water … Read more
Dan Hoyle show – Nov 11-12
Dan Hoyle dazzled us with his opening monologue at Chautauqua this year and we’ve decided to bring him back for his full solo show this November! Dan garnered critical acclaim … Read more
Compost Revolution in the Mother Garden
As the number of guests in our retreat program has increased in recent years, so has the volume of food scraps that our kitchen produces. For decades, our chickens, goats, … Read more
Beaver Mania Hits the News!
Since our announcement in July about the Stateâs monumental decision to fund the creation of a new Beaver Restoration Program to be led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, … Read more
Community grazing project at OAEC, Two Sisters Place & Mighty Arrow Ranch
This past spring, OAEC and the Sowing Circle community were thrilled to graze a flock of 54 sheep and 12 goats across nearly 10 acres of coastal prairie and meadow … Read more
Beyond Defensible Space – Consultations Webinar
OAEC Wildlands and our partners are hosting a Zoom webinar on July 27th from 6-8pm PST to wrap up our “Beyond Defensible Space” workshop series, an exploration of wildfire mitigation strategies that … Read more
State Leaders Enact Historic Beaver Restoration Program!
SACRAMENTO (June 30, 2022) â Today, Governor Gavin Newsomâs proposal to launch a new Beaver Restoration Program at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be enacted at the … Read more
Russian River Coho Partnership Concludes a Decade-Long Collaboration
photo by Brock Dolman Salmon are a keystone species, inextricably linked to the health of our coastal ecosystems, yet over the past century their populations have experienced devastating declines. In … Read more
How is OAEC dealing with the drought?
The old saying âDonât miss the water âtill the well runs dryâ couldnât be more apt in this yearâs unprecedented drought. Wells and reservoirs are drying up around the county, … Read more
Big Wins in Sacramento for the Bring Back the Beaver Campaign!
*We at the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center WATER Institute have tremendous news! On May 13th, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a Revision of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 state budget that … Read more
Now accepting 2022 internship applications
Come live, learn, work and play with us! Each year, OAEC hires 6 enthusiastic interns to live and learn at OAEC for 10 months. Interns work 25 hours per week … Read more
Beyond Defensible Space Workshops
We’ve heard about Defensible Space, the 100ft perimeter around buildings that should be free from burnable materials to prevent damage from wildfire, but what about the wildlands beyond those 100ft? … Read more
