Mission Statement

To preserve the scenic, agricultural and natural resources of Sonoma Mountain,

to expand recreational opportunities on the mountain,

to provide a forum for constructive discussion of issues relating to Sonoma Mountain,

and to represent the interests of Sonoma Mountain Preservation before public and private agencies or organizations.

Sonoma Mountain Preservation - SMP - has been advocating for open space and scenic preservation of the mountain since 1993, was incorporated as a non-profit corporation since 1999.

The Sonoma Mountain Development Guidelines, drafted by SMP, were adopted by the county planning agency in 1995.  For an overview of the Guidelines see that section of our web site.

See Arthur Dawson's History of Sonoma Mountain for a fine description of who came before us.

We support the appropriate development of hiking trails and other low impact access to the mountain.  Please see About Us and our Library for more on SMP policies.

The first peoples of southern Sonoma county, the Coast Miwok, placed oona-pa'is - Sonoma Mountain - at the center of the world, imagining its summit as an island in the primordial ocean at the beginning of time. 

Geologists tell a similar story, that Sonoma Mountain's layers of volcanic and sedimentary rock, pushed upward by tectonic forces, rose from the depts of a shallow sea.

Arthur Dawson, Sonoma Ecology Center