The P.L.A.N. Management Plan

The open space project involves a 5-Year Work Plan within an overall Management Plan. A community amenity, a save haven for wildlife, and enrivonmental education are important for the project. So few areas remain for wildlife to reside and forage in their native habitat. Fencing, structures and fragmentation characterize areas surrounding Paula Lane. Preserving the wildlife corridor of West Paula Lane is another important project feature, where wildlife naturally traverse south-north-south to and from Helen Putnam Regional Park to northwest Petaluma and beyond. In Year 1, the Ken Miller Memorial Bench, donated by the Jern-Miller family and friends, was installed in Wildlife View Area 1 near an oak tree, overlooking the open space. Year 2 includes habitat enhancement and restoration, planning for irrigation, and agriculture for wildlife and humans. By Year 5, the Preserve Work Plan completes and the Management Plan will guide this innovative open space project for South Sonoma County.

Click here to view the PDF version of our Management Plan.

In Year 1 of the open space work plan, the Ken Miller Memorial Bench was designed, constructed and installed in Wildlife Viewing Area 1. This area overlooks open space, providing a vista while being distant from wildlife.

The Jern-Miller family and friends generously funded design and construction of the Ken bench. Patrick Schafer of the P.L.A.N. Board of Directors carefully installed the bench on-site.

Ken Miller was a P.L.A.N. early advocate and brought many people and volunteers to our endeavors. Ken often chatted with people passing by while taking his trash or recycling out to the curb. He spoke with his heart, informing community members and visitors of P.L.A.N.'s effort to save Paula Lane, the special rural character and all of the wildlife able to safely live in our area. We miss our friend, Ken Miller, and are grateful to honor him with a presence always on the open space land via the lovely redwood Ken Memorial bench. The bench is sized and placed to be an organic part of the landscape.

The P.L.A.N. Management Plan

"The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask."

— Nancy Newhall