SONOMA COUNTY PLEDGE

In Sonoma County, we believe that being good stewards of the Earth, our natural resources, our beautiful spaces, and the people of this extraordinary place is vital to our thriving community as well as to visitors. We invite you to pledge your support to traveling with consideration across Sonoma County and take action to make a positive impact during your stay.

• I will observe the Principles of Leave No Trace, responsibly enjoying all that Sonoma County’s outdoors have to offer.
  _{Why this matters:}

  _{Sonoma County’s parks and open spaces are home to distinct ecosystems that host rare, threatened, and endangered species. With hundreds of thousands of visitors to our redwood forests, coastal prairies, rivers, estuaries, and beaches each year; even the smallest negative impacts can add up to significant adverse effects to our biodiverse natural environments.
  Additionally, our rivers and ocean claim lives every year, so we implore visitors to keep the Sonoma County Leave No Trace Seven Principles in mind, particularly where safety is concerned}

• I will Enjoy the Roads Less Traveled, stretching my legs and my sense of adventure by actively seeking out memorable experiences beyond the County’s tourist hot spots.
  _{Why this matters:}

  _{Sonoma County is large (more than a million acres in size), and with over 425 wineries within our borders, there is no shortage of amazing vineyards to explore. But Sonoma County is so much more than wine. From our Pacific Coastline & Sea Villages to our Redwoods & Rivers, to our Valleys & Vineyards, amazing diverse experiences await those willing to venture off the beaten path.
  Download the Sonoma County App to discover countless restaurants, wineries, hotels, events, activities, and experiences throughout all of Sonoma County.}

• I will Support Local Businesses, and in doing so maximize the positive impacts of my visit.
  _{Why this matters:}

  _{Approximately three quarters of Sonoma County tourism businesses are small, with fewer than 25 employees. By spending your money at small locally owned businesses, you are enhancing the vibrancy of the community and maximizing your positive impact to the local economy. You can find guidance on locally and minority-owned businesses below.
  Locally Grown
  Local LGBTQ-Owned Businesses To Support in Sonoma County 
  40 Black-Owned Businesses in Sonoma County
  7 Women-Owned Businesses in Sonoma County
  Hispanic Businesses, Wineries and Restaurants in Sonoma County} 

• I will Spread Kindness in my interactions with residents and consider including voluntourism in my Sonoma County experience.
  _{Why this matters:}

  _{At the core of Responsible Travel is a commitment to maximizing positive impacts to a destination you visit. One powerful means of doing so is through “voluntourism” or volunteer tourism. The act of donating a few hours of your time is the most personal way of leaving a destination better than you found it. We invite you to explore our curated list of volunteer opportunities and encourage you to consider incorporating voluntourism into your Sonoma County experience.}

• I will Explore Native Sonoma County, recognizing the ancestral lands of the Coast Miwok, Pomo, and Wappo – the original caretakers of this area.
  _{Why this matters:}

  _{Long before we became known as Wine Country, Sonoma County was home to thousands of Native Americans, including those of the Pomo, Miwok, and Wappo tribes. And despite mass displacement, humiliation, illness, and death at the hands of European and American colonists, Native American cultures and presence persist in modern-day Sonoma County.
  We encourage you to Learn More about Native American Heritage in Sonoma County, and invite you to join us in respectfully acknowledging the Indigenous peoples who have been stewarding and maintaining their relationship on this land as knowledge keepers for millennia.}

• I will incorporate Sustainable Practices into my visit, helping to protect and preserve this special corner of the world for generations to come.
  _{Why this matters:}

  _{We invite you to learn more about the tenets of sustainability, discover how Sonoma County is leading the way in sustainability and climate action, and access responsible travel resources.  You can even help our destination in its mission to reach carbon neutrality by offsetting the carbon emissions from your Sonoma County experience.}