FoVG was established to buy and restore Patterson Point Preserve for use by the community and visitors. It is a 510(c)(3) non-profit organization staffed by volunteers and managed by an elected board of directors. FoVG sponsors events and activities in the community, including fundraisers to support the Preserve. Membership in FoVG allows participation in a propane discount program as well as an anchorage option to lock up your kayak or canoe.

For decades, access to the Russian River at Patterson Point was a shared community resource with little oversight. When FoVG purchased the property in 2009, we embarked on a cleanup and restoration plan that focused on native plants while adding amenities and features to enhance the experience for visitors and locals alike. The restoration work is done by volunteers and paid stewards along with Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed (STRAW).

Old growth redwoods in western Sonoma County were harvested in the late 1800s to build San Francisco and surrounding cities. With the trees gone, plots in Villa Grande were sold for summer houses, many of which are still standing. Divided into the “flats” and the “terraces,” Villa Grande has a rich history with traditions, characters and even its own post office (95486). The annual July 4th celebration is not to be missed!