May 14, 2026

The Resilient Landscapes Coalition is hosting a free, bilingual Four Part Webinar Series on creating firewise landscapes in the Defensible Space Zone, while at the same time enhancing biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and conserving resources. Defensible space is the buffer between your structure and the surrounding area, which can slow or halt the progress of fire and protect your home.

“The threats we face today—climate change, loss of biodiversity, drought, and wildfires—are daunting, but I believe in the power of collective action. My goal is to help people see that they are not powerless in the face of these challenges. Through education about resilient landscaping, I aim to inspire hope and empower individuals to create meaningful change, starting right in their own backyards. By making small, local changes, we can transform fear into action and build a healthier, more sustainable future,” shares Jennifer Roberts, Community Education Specialist & Landscape Designer, UCCE Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County & Pollinate Collective Landscape Design.

Residents can register to learn how to create and maintain a firewise, sustainable garden that supports biodiversity while meeting County code requirements. The workshop series aims to equip you with the knowledge to navigate the new and updated California Zone 0 guidelines, including considerations for trees, existing landscapes, plant placement, and maintenance, to preserve and even enhance wildlife habitat.

This four part, one hour per week, workshop series will allow plenty of time for questions and will provide:

• Recommendations for firewise landscaping in the 0-5’, 5-30’, and 30-100’ Defensible Space Zones, with specific plant and design suggestions.
• Principles of defensible space and County and State code requirements, including new Zone Zero requirements.
• Practical ways to reconcile the sometimes conflicting guidelines, to achieve a beautiful, biodiverse, energy-saving, firewise and water-wise landscape.
• A practical understanding of what it means to be sustainable in an ever-changing California climate.
• Resources for how to move forward with your landscape and community.

Workshop creators and presenters include:

• Ellie Insley: Landscape Architect and Natural Habitat Restoration Specialist, Sonoma Ecology Center and Co-Founder of the Resilient Landscapes Coalition
• Mimi Enright: Program Manager, UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County and Co-Founder of the Resilient Landscapes Coalition
• April Owens: Owner Pollinate Collective by April Owens Design, LLC Executive Director, Habitat Corridor Project; Horticulture Chairperson, Board Secretary California Native Plant Society and Co-Founder of the Resilient Landscapes Coalition
• Jennifer Roberts: Community Education Specialist & Landscape Designer, UCCE Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County & Pollinate Collective Landscape Design

Webinar Dates: June 9, 16, 23, 30 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
June 9th, 2026: Framework of Sustainability for Defensible Space and Beyond
June 16th, 2026: Defensible Space Zones and Code Requirements
June 23rd, 2026: Firewise Design with the Defensible Space Zone
June 30th, 2026: Maintenance in the Defensible Space Zone

Participants may sign up for all four parts or just one. All workshops will be available in both English and Spanish and will be held on Zoom.

Zoom registration link: https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6HkwgNjlS-Su-F7PKIkYUA#/registration

The Resilient Landscapes Coalition is a partnership of The Sonoma Ecology Center, Fire Safe Sonoma, The UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County, and The Habitat Corridor Project. The coalition formed to educate community members about defensible space recommendations that provide habitat and biodiversity while meeting county and state code requirements.