Graton tribe commits $2.85 million for improvements at SSU preserve

October 25, 2019

SSU Students at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve

More than 20,000 students, community members and K-12 students have visited the Fairfield Osborn Preserve as part of educational programs or guided tours over the past 10 years.

SSU Students Hiking at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve

The Fairfield Osborn Preserve, located on the northwest slope of Sonoma Mountain, has been used by Sonoma State for research and environmental education for nearly four decades.

A sign for the Fairfield Osborne Preserve

Fairfield Osborn is one of three preserves managed by SSU in the North Bay. The other two are Los Guillicos Preserve in Kenwood and Galbreath Wildlands Preserve in Mendocino County.

From SSU News: (Rohnert Park) — The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have agreed to make a $2.85 million gift to Sonoma State University to improve and expand environmental education of the 450-acre Fairfield Osborn Preserve located on the northwest slope of Sonoma Mountain.

The upgrades include creation of an outdoor talking circle at the preserve’s education and research center and a remodeling of the center to allow greater use by students, faculty, staff, local K-12 students and community members. Work on the facility, which will be renamed the “Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Learning Center at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve," is targeted for completion in December 2020. Read more.