Proactive Resilience Systems for the North Bay
Climate change is increasing the frequency of disasters like wildfires and floods. Consequently, proper preparation, alongside early detection, can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe for our community.
Nestled in the North Bay, Pepperwood's sentinel site for nature and field station offers expansive views that span the mountains and valleys of Northern California. This strategic location is vital for implementing prevention and preparedness systems across several key areas:
Disaster Warning Systems
These life-saving systems include wildfire-monitoring cameras linked to the ALERTCalifornia network for real-time monitoring of wildfires and other disasters. In addition, we installed an early flood detection warning system in partnership with Sonoma Water to further enhance disaster preparedness.
Community Health and Safety Mechanisms
These supportive mechanisms so far include air-quality and wildfire-smoke detection sensors throughout rural Sonoma County. Additionally, Pepperwood and Sonoma County partnered to install a network of radio repeaters, enabling continued communication across the county in the event cell service goes down.
Public Empowerment Tools
These accessibility-enhancing tools so far include the Wildfire Fuel Mapper – a digital mapping platform designed to empower landowners and land managers to make informed decisions about how to manage their properties to reduce fire risks.
Strategically Located & Equipped to Make an Impact
Pepperwood's preserve is equipped with a solar-powered radio-telemetry network, enabling continuous, real-time reporting. Additionally, we link our public safety technology to other systems throughout the North Bay and beyond. This connection ensures that our community remains well connected, well prepared, and solidly protected.
Our community has witnessed devastating floods and wildfires since 2015. In response to these challenges, Pepperwood took decisive action. We've established key partnerships at both the local and regional levels to improve community safety and well-being in every possible way. Moreover, we are always seeking more opportunities to expand this important work, as we believe collaboration is essential to enhancing our collective resilience.
An early warning station equipped with ALERTCalifornia camera, air quality sensors, and smoke sensors. Additionally, solar panel and radio telemetry equipment, allowing for real-time data acquisition and live and continuous reporting.
Program Details
Project Team & Contact
Ryan Ferrell, Sentinel Site Manager
rferrell@pepperwoodpreserve.org
Kai Henifin, Regional Climate Resilience Manager
khenifin@pepperwoodpreserve.org
Primary Project Partners
Support our efforts to enhance community resilience.
Pepperwood is poised to expand our region's capacity for early warning systems and disaster preparedness and mitigation, but we need your help. Please support projects like these that keep our community safe.
Public Safety Highlights
ALERTCAlifornia Wildfire Cameras
Over 1,144 high-definition, pan-tilt-zoom cameras are deployed across California (as of January 2025), providing a 24-hour backcountry network with near-infrared night vision to monitor disasters.
Early Flood Detection & Warning
Pepperwood features one of Sonoma Water's early flood-detection rain gauges. The data is housed on their real-time Rainfall website, which offers up-to-date rainfall, river, and reservoir data.
Air Quality & Wildfire Smoke Detection
20 air quality sensors and five targeted "Fire First" wildfire smoke detection sensors in the remote Alexander Valley region of Sonoma County enhance detection for vulnerable communities.
The Wildfire Fuel Mapper
The Wildfire Fuel Mapper is a digital mapping platform designed to empower landowners and land managers to make informed decisions about how to manage their properties to reduce fire risks.