Announcements

Register now for a webinar on Wednesday, October 28, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. about the Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) filed by Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA). Speakers will include:

• Lynda Hopkins, Sonoma Water Board of Directors, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
• Jessica Martini-Lamb, Environmental Resources Division Manager, Sonoma Water
• Donald Seymour, Deputy Director of Engineering, Sonoma Water

This is your opportunity to learn more & speak out about SCWA's proposal to reduce river flow in the lower Russian River next summer from 125 cfs to 70 cfs. The webinar is hosted by SCWA and more information is available here. If you can not make the webinar and would like to voice your concerns, please email Lynda Hopkins, county supervisor,

lynda.hopkins@sonoma-county.org

Friends of Villa Grande filed an official protest with the State Water Resources Control Board against the Temporary Urgency Change Petition by the Sonoma County Water Agency. We are specifically concerned with the incidences of blue green algae (Cyanobacteria) at the beaches in Patterson Point Preserve which have occurred in the past two years and compelled Sonoma County to post official warnings that toxic algae mats are present at our beaches. We are taking a stand in solidarity with our neighbors and other communities along the lower Russian River.

The proposal by SCWA to substantially reduce flow in the lower river starting May 17, 2027 will cause lower water levels and warmer water at our beaches. These conditions will facilitate the growth of toxic algae and will cause health hazards to members of the public who swim in the river at our beaches. Children, older adults, immunocompromised people and dogs are particularly sensitive to the effects of toxic algae. In addition, we are concerned that the reduced flows may cause higher bacterial concentrations in the river water that could exceed the State standards for bacteria in recreational waters.  

Members gathered at the Firehouse Plaza on the morning of July 5, 2026, to hear a review of the organization’s activities, financial condition and progress in the Patterson Point Preserve (PPP). They also received updates about the proposed Enhanced Financial Infrastructure District (EIFD) for the lower Russian River and current efforts to address septic issues in our area. Finally, the group discussed how to improve caretaking of Firehouse Plaza for community events, including issues of private parking and dumping of yard debris.

• Membership has remained fairly stable and we have welcomed new members this past year, who already are integrating into and supporting our objectives.

• Our finances remain very stable and (due to our Schwab account) have improved over the past year. We will continue to hold our reserves in very safe investments in the event we need to do tree cutting, expand trail repair or undertake other expensive improvements to the PPP.

• We continue to improve and maintain the PPP, with each year yielding more native planting and fewer mounds of ivy. Next year we will need to do some tree pruning and cutting, for the safety of our visitors.

• The EIFD process is moving forward, which will establish a small but hopefully growing fund for the lower Russian River to help with infrastructure needs. This initiative will not raise anyone’s taxes — it just shifts governance over a small part of our annual property taxes to the local EIFD district to determine how to spend the tax funds. Please go to the District 5 website for more information and to make comments on the proposal.

• Our local FoVG experts in wastewater treatment options (Rich Holmer and Kyla Brooke) presented a possible alternative to hooking up to a sewer plant, which is to create a local septic district whose short-term purpose would be to create funding for inspection and repair of any septic systems in our area that are failing or need to be upgraded, and to be able to apply for state grants for septic upgrades as well.

• After hearing various member comments about use of the Firehouse Plaza, Rich and Kyla created an ad hoc committee to confer about problems and solutions, which will include new signage (thanks to Natalie Robb-Wilder) and potentially barriers to prevent vehicles from parking in the area.

Volunteers are needed to help with the ongoing weeding & restoration of Patterson Point Preserve. Kick off the new season by joining a work party led by preserve manager Kaya Halpern at Patterson Point Preserve! Contribute however much time you can and learn more about PPP. Wear protective clothing (for sun, thorns, etc.) and bring gloves and water.

Sunday, Sept. 20, 2 PM
Sip & Clip Work Day

Come clip back bay and redwood suckers and then sip on some local wine from Iron Horse and others.

Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 AM
Ivy Intervention Restoration Work Day

Come pull baby ivy from the newest restoration area. This is a great time of year to make sure they don't have the chance to crowd out the native plants.

Please help us spread the word – bring a friend or neighbor!

Have questions? Email pattersonpointpreserve@gmail.com

Additional work days will be added to our Events calendar as scheduled.

FoVG received a toxic algae alert today from Samatha Stevens, Senior Environmental Health Specialist with Sonoma County Environmental Health. Sonoma Water observed approximately 15% coverage of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) at Patterson Point during their routine monitoring. Environmental Health staff conducted a visual assessment this afternoon to confirm this assessment, and agree with Sonoma Water’s determination. As a result, they will be flipping the PPP algae sign to read “Toxic Algae Alert”.

Please use caution when swimming or boating near the Preserve. Sonoma County Environmental Health tests the water and posts the results on signs on the Preserve. Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) are a common occurrence and can be toxic; signs will be updated when algal mats are present. For more detail on river water quality see the county's Russian River Beaches Water Quality Test Results for Patterson Point.

A member of our community had a dog become ill with symptoms similar to toxins from blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria).  The actual cause of the illness was not verified. The State HAB (hazardous algae bloom) website operated by the State Water Resources Control Board was notified and it has been posted as a possible canine illness. The State toxicologist contacted our local resident and obtained more detailed information. 

Our local Health Department was also contacted. They came out immediately to Patterson Point and observed possible blue-green algae.  Samples were taken but it was determined that it was not blue-green algae that they observed. The Health Department maintains a blue-green algae toxin testing device at Monte Rio beach which is representative of 10 miles of the river. This has also come back as non-detect for toxins. Sonoma Water also does weekly bacteriological testing at Patterson Point. If they observe potential blue-green algae when they are obtaining samples, they will take a sample of the algae back to their lab for examination.

In summary, there have not been toxins detected in the water so far (they were detected last year). There is still a potential for exposure to toxins, however, from contact with algae mats. Blue-green algae is difficult to identify and can co-exist with the typical green algae clumps. Exposure to blue-green algae is a particular hazard to dogs because if they lick their fur, the cell walls of the algae can break and release toxins.

The large warning sign on Third Street has detailed instructions on how to mitigate potential hazard from blue-green algae. Everyone should read this and follow the guidance in order to protect their children and dogs. Learn more about HABs, reporting, and current levels at the Sonoma County Department of Environmental Health.

Rich Holmer and Kyla Brooke will be serving as co-presidents for this year. Members are invited to contact them with questions or concerns about Friends of Villa Grande by sending email to friends@villagrande.org.

There are many opportunities to participate in Friends of Villa Grande. Activities include the upcoming Progressive Party and stewardship activities at the Preserve (resuming in September). We are addressing issues at Firehouse Plaza Park and are in the infancy of emergency response systems in Villa Grande. If you'd like to get involved with any of these, get in touch!

Friends of Villa Grande is a community based organization. We try to stay responsive to community needs but we need to limit activities to our adopted goals. We often get requests to work on things that are outside of our purpose. Our primary reason for existence is maintenance of the Preserve and we take on other limited activities as capacity allows. We are not a homeowners association and we do not attempt to exert control over our community. As a community based organization, we need your participation and support to continue to be effective. All are welcome to participate. Thanks to our wonderful community, we remain a strong organization.

The Lower Russian River Wastewater Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) will be meeting on Thursday, February 19, 5-7 PM at the Monte Rio Community Center. This will be an in-person meeting and members of the public are welcome to attend.

For more information on the background, objectives, members, and activities of the CAG, please see this page.

An active, untreated wastewater spill is occurring at the Russian River County Sanitation District treatment plant, located at 18400 Neeley Road in Guerneville. The public is advised to avoid the Russian River downstream of the treatment plant to Jenner. Russian River beaches are closed, as are Sonoma Coast beaches from Russian Gulch State Beach south to Doran Beach, due to health hazards. For more information visit sonomawater.org/rrcsd

Move your feet before you eat! All are invited to the 6th Annual Villa Grande Turkey Trot on November 27, 2025. Meet at the V.G. Firehouse Plaza at 8 a.m. to start walking to Gold Coast Bakery in Duncan's Mills at 8:30 a.m. Return rides will be available if needed. All ages and abilities welcome!

We just got notification from Samatha Stevens, Senior Environmental Health Specialist with Sonoma County Environmental Health, that the North Coast Regional Quality Control Board has requested the sign at Pattterson Point be changed from “Check for Algae” to a “Toxic Algal Alert” due to the amount of benthic Cyanobacteria observed at PPP’s beaches. (More than 15% coverage is the monitoring criteria that triggers changing the sign.)

Please use caution when swimming or boating near the Preserve. Sonoma County Environmental Health tests the water and posts the results on signs on the Preserve. Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) are a common occurrence and can be toxic; signs will be updated when algal mats are present. For more detail on river water quality see the county's Russian River Beaches Water Quality Test Results for Patterson Point.