Sonoma Ecology Center Awarded $2.5M for Restoration Work

Grant funding will help mitigate flood risk and restore habitats in Sonoma Valley

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Sonoma Ecology Center has received nearly $2.5 million in federal grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to advance its floodplain restoration project in Sonoma Creek. The funds will help mitigate flood risk, reduce erosion, improve watershed resilience, and restore natural habitats for endangered species in the Sonoma Valley region.

Why it matters

This grant award is significant as it will enable the Sonoma Ecology Center to undertake critical restoration work in the Sonoma Valley, which has faced increasing flood risks and environmental challenges due to severe weather. The project aims to bolster the region's long-term resilience and protect vulnerable natural habitats.

The details

The grant funding will support restoration efforts at three sites in Glen Ellen, including measures to mitigate flood risk for local communities, reduce erosion, and improve the overall health and resilience of the Sonoma Creek watershed. The project will also focus on restoring natural habitats to benefit endangered species of fish in the area.

  • The grant award was announced by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson in the last week of February 2026.
  • The Sonoma Ecology Center will use the $2.5 million in funding to advance its floodplain restoration project in Sonoma Creek.

The players

Sonoma Ecology Center

A non-profit organization focused on environmental conservation and restoration efforts in the Sonoma Valley region.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson

A Democratic Congressman representing California's 4th Congressional District, who helped secure the grant funding for the Sonoma Ecology Center.

Richard Dale

The executive director of the Sonoma Ecology Center.

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What they’re saying

“This project is one of only four projects in California funded through this competitive nation-wide grant program, and we appreciate Congressman Thompson's support helping us bring these resources to Sonoma Valley.”

— Richard Dale, Executive Director, Sonoma Ecology Center (pressdemocrat.com)

What’s next

The Sonoma Ecology Center will use the $2.5 million in grant funding to begin implementing its floodplain restoration project at the three sites in Glen Ellen, with the goal of mitigating flood risks, reducing erosion, and improving habitat for endangered species.

The takeaway

This grant award highlights the critical importance of environmental restoration and resilience-building efforts in communities like Sonoma Valley, which are facing increasing threats from severe weather and climate change. The Sonoma Ecology Center's project aims to protect both local communities and vulnerable natural habitats through its comprehensive restoration work.