One of the difficulties in reuniting families that have been separated by drug-related arrests, says Nick Honey, is creating a new environment where pre-existing dangers to the children have been removed.

Nick Honey explains that almost as soon as a child is placed in temporary foster care, a process to develop a long-term plan for his or her future gets under way.

To report known or suspected child abuse in Sonoma County, call:

1-800-870-7064

or the hotline number: (707) 565-430.

Marilee Eckert, Executive Director of the newly renamed Conservation Corps North Bay, says it is well-positioned to grow into a regional service agency.

Eckert anticipates bringing many of the programs the organization has already established in Marin into Sonoma County under their new banner, such as their youth recycling crew, which is already at work at some Sonoma County parks and schools.

The legacy of an early conservationist now provides a hands-on, open air laboratory for Sonoma State students, just a few miles up the mountainside from their campus.

Nathan Rank is a professor of Biology at Sonoma State University and has been Director of Fairfield Osborn Preserve since 2000. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of California-Davis in 1990. His research interests focus on evolutionary ecology and population biology.

One of the benefits of having the Osborn Preserve nearby, says professor Rank, is that it provides a convenient way to observe seasonal changes within the same environment.

Fairfield Osborn Preserve was established by The Nature Conservancy in 1972 through the generosity of William and Joan Roth in honor of Joan's father, Fairfield Osborn. The Preserve was donated to Sonoma State University in 1997 for use as an educational and research site. In 2004, William and Joan Roth donated an additional 190 acres to the Preserve, nearly doubling its size, and including the scenic ridgeline of Sonoma Mountain.

 The Preserve occupies the upper slope at the center of the ridge (above) and is home to the headwaters and much of the watershed for Coleman Creek (below).

In addition  to the many grade school children who visit the Preserve each year, Rank explains that university students are also able to work on a considerable variety of research projects there.

Various hikes and other educational outings are offered at Fairfield Osborn Preserve. Information and registration forms can be found here .

Fairfield Osborn Preserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including the endangered California Red-legged Frog.

Job skills, high school diplomas, personal responsibility and building low income housing-they're all wrapped up together in YouthBuild Santa Rosa.

YouthBuild has been active in Sonoma County for the past 13 years, but the overall program has a much longer history.

A new cohort of YouthBuild students is forming now, with required interviews on Dec. 15. Casey McChesney outlines the application process.

  The 2001 YouthBuild class were joined by then Santa Rosa Mayor Mike Martini (front, second from left), Congresswoman Lynne Woolsey, and County Supervisor Mike Reilly at the grand opening of their new office seven years ago. The program is now preparing to move into new, larger quarters in early 2009.