Outlook for 2024
We are on the verge of realizing our vision of connecting a mega-migration corridor from the bottom of Triangle G to the top of Hilltop and the Mistui/Walsh Ranches. This ten-mile migration corridor would allow us to take two different herds, one of about 800 animals and one of about 400-500 animals and combine them into a mega herd that would more closely mimic the natural flow of large herbivore movement across Sonoma Mountain. To this end, we have been working with the Cheda family and the City of Petaluma to lease the Cheda Ranch and Lafferty Ranch, respectively. We’ve also developed a strong relationship with the McKinney Ranch, which would also be a key thoroughfare to move cattle across the corridor. With these properties in our management portfolio, we can actualize our vision of connecting the mega migration corridor. In 2024, despite not officially having those ranches, we may still try to put the entire herd together depending on how the season plays out with rainfall.
Finally, it may not seem like an opportunity, but we are ending our relationship with Taylor Mountain and Sonoma County Parks for the foreseeable future. Doing so will allow us to be less spread out, have fewer herds, focus more on the home herds, and, hopefully, actualize our vision for the mega migration corridor.
Overall, the 2024 season is shaping up to be one of our strongest yet. We look forward to exploring new opportunities and leveraging our assets in service of our mission to sustain biodiversity, stimulate biology, reactivate proper water cycling, re-mineralize depleted soils, and help regenerate and support the vitality of natural systems in Sonoma and the surrounding areas.
