The OAEC WATER Institute is hosting a Beaver Blitz to map current distribution of beaver (Castor canadensis) in Sonoma County. Beaver modify the landscape in ways that can be really … Read more
Call our main office to purchase a booklet (707) 874-1557 x101 or Download for Free> Beavers are one of our favorite watershed restoration partners! They are the original champions of … Read more
Call your Reps. and tell them to support sustainable agricultural solutions to climate change. Good news! Ā Governor Jerry Brown is staying the course and is again calling for $20 million … Read more
by Janel Healy. Photos by Brock Dolman. 35% of the palm oil produced in the world comes from Malaysia, and 12% of that comes from the Malaysian state of Sabah … Read more
One of the goals of our MotherĀ Garden Biodiversity & Nursery program is to conserve agricultural biodiversity and share it with the broader public through seed saving and Plant Sales.Ā At the … Read more
TheĀ Decentralized Water Policy CouncilĀ (DWPC),Ā a project of OAEC and the California Onsite Water Association, was one of three finalists in theĀ Imagine H2O Policy Challenge. Finalists were selected from over 100 applications … Read more
Above: Kris & Doug Tompkins. Photo by Dave Henson, Dec. 2014. The staff and extended family of the Occidental Arts &Ā Ecology Center would like to honor our friend, mentor … Read more
Co-founder and resident artist Adam Wolpert is in his seventh month of a yearlong project to paint the southwest corner of the OAEC pond. He has created 45 oil paintings–all … Read more
For the last two years, OAEC’s Executive Director Dave Henson has been facilitating a network of U.S. organizations that are developing strategies to protect pollinators such as bees, bats, birds, … Read more
The useĀ of glyphosateĀ has surged dramatically since the 1990s, when genetically engineered (GE) “Roundup Ready” corn and soybean crops were introduced. According to the Pesticide Action Network of North America (PANNA), … Read more
Above: Alana records weekly potable water use at OAEC outside the Main Office, which all staff members see throughout the day. You, too, could do this at your workplace,Ā church, child’s … Read more
Thank you to everyone who attendedĀ our 13th Annual Chautauqua Revue this pastĀ weekend!Ā Despite the heavy lifting required to bring into the theater two dozen performers, light and sound equipment, costumes, props, … Read more
What if a food bank distributed not just canned and donated goods, but fresh, organic produce grown right onsite? The Food For Thought (FFT) Food Bank in Forestville, one of … Read more
If you’re an avid gardener, youĀ are probably about to getĀ your Fall and Winter annuals into the ground, or have already done so. However, there are also many perennial food crops, … Read more
Pictured:Ā Harold Appleton, registered professional forester, co-authored the plan with Lindsay Dailey and Jim ColemanĀ (pictured) as well asĀ Brock Dolman. Harold spent many hours onsite inventorying mixed conifer forests and guiding OAEC … Read more
Pictured: Flower Petal Pestos. Edible flowers, such as sunflower and nastutium, volunteer in legions in OAEC’sĀ temperate gardens. These brightly colored sauces in small quantities are most efficiently used as a … Read more
We are thrilled to announce the completion of our three new guest housing units,Ā built to provide beautifulĀ and comfortable accommodations for a more diverse array of our constituents. BeingĀ a demonstration site, … Read more
The WATER Institute was invited to review the 200-page comprehensive Beaver Restoration Guidebook written by NOAA Fisheries, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service and Portland State University to … Read more
These are extraordinary times in California–especially in the Dutch Bill Creek Watershed, where OAEC is located, and the watersheds surrounding it. The water in our creeks is so low that … Read more
Behind the scenes at OAEC areĀ dozens of talentedĀ hourly and part-time staffĀ members. Here are some of the wonderful peopleĀ who give their time, energy and love toĀ theĀ OAEC Nursery, our 100% California Certified … Read more
A great example of beaver stewardship recently occurred in Caltrans District 5. A beaver had dammed a drainage, which was beginning to flood the adjacent roadbed of a new freeway … Read more
Social change is inspired by effective storytelling. Our allies in the Climate Justice Alliance (CJA), a group of organizers that includes our Strategic Partners with the Movement Generation Justice & … Read more
TheĀ drought highlights the need for some common sense water saving and reuse practices such as composting toilets and integrated greywater systems that not only irrigate landscapes but reuse water indoors … Read more
OAEC CookbookĀ Co-AuthorĀ Olivia RathboneĀ on growing a farm-to-table garden for the home gardener: North Bay Woman (NBW)*: What does a good farm-to-table garden include? Rathbone: A diverse garden with a good mix … Read more
Saturday and Sunday are the last two days of the Summer Plant SaleĀ until our Plant Sales resume for ourĀ Fall Plant Sale! We still have an incredibly wide array of beautiful … Read more
We are thrilled to announce that the long-awaited Occidental Arts & Ecology Center Cookbook has arrived! Published by Chelsea GreenĀ and with a foreword by Alice Waters, the Cookbook shares the … Read more
WATER Institute Director Kate Lundquist was one of seven American beaver advocates interviewed for thisĀ report put together by the Miistakis Institute in Alberta, Canada. The report shares the experiences and … Read more
Annuals Gardeners — the days are getting longer and warmer, so we know you’ve got the itch to start playing in your gardenĀ beds! There are many crops that you can … Read more
The Connection Between Energy and Water — Water conservation and reuse arenātĀ just about water quantity, but aboutĀ dramatically reducing the energy requirement of our water systems. Did you know that nearly … Read more
The WATER Institute Beaver Campaign Hits The Road! In late February and early March, Kate Lundquist and Brock Dolman of the WATER Institute made great headway in forwarding their Bring … Read more
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Site photography by Jim Coleman, Tali Aiona, Doug Gosling, Brock Dolman and Sashwa Burrous.
