About this Event
Sonoma Sunday Supper Series - June 28, 2026
In a partnership with Asombrosa, a beautiful 63-acre estate on the outskirts of Petaluma, Place Matters is curating intimate experiences in 2026 that offer continuing place-based dialogue and also includes a Sunday meal from noted chef Stephane Saint Louis of Bijou Restaurant and beverages from Barber Cellars, together with a self guided tour of the property, weather permitting.
Our June program, STEWARDING PLACE is centered on local stewardship of both land and sea, featuring Bill Sydeman, President and Chief Scientist, Farallon Institute and Lily Verdone, Executive Director, Marin Agricultural Land Trust.
Lily Verdone is the Executive Director of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT). She joined MALT in August 2022 as the first woman to lead the organization since its founding in 1980 as the first agricultural land trust in the nation. A collaborative leader and trained climate scientist, she brings more than two decades of experience scaling solutions to major environmental and social challenges. Her expertise spans global organizations like The Nature Conservancy and small, community-based land trusts, always working at the intersection of people and nature. Throughout her career, she has worked to protect agricultural land, open space, and fresh water through partnership building, strategic planning, fundraising, and project implementation. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and a Master of Science in biology from Sonoma State University.
William J. Sydeman is a seabird ecologist with expertise in ecosystems of the Pacific Ocean. Sydeman has conducted interdisciplinary research on the effects of climate change on coastal ocean conditions, food webs, and seabirds for the past 40 years. Sydeman’s expertise also includes the population biology of zooplankton and forage fish species as they pertain to seabird ecology, seabird conservation, ecosystem-based fisheries management, and ecosystem monitoring. Sydeman has published over 200 papers and serves on advisory panels for California’s Ocean Protection Council and the North Pacific Research Board in Alaska. Sydeman received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis and currently works the President and Chief Scientist at the Farallon Institute in Petaluma, California.
Limited seating is available and some activities will be outdoors, so please dress warmly with comfortable shoes. Sponsorships opportunities are available.
Agenda
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Welcome and Registration
Host: Grace A. Belangia
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:30 PM
Supper Time - buffet style dinner, communal seating
Host: Bijou Restaurant
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Speaker Series - STEWARDING PLACE with Bill Sydeman and Lily Verdone
Host: Carin Jacobs
Info: Our June program, STEWARDING PLACE is centered on local stewardship of both land and sea, featuring Bill Sydeman, President and Chief Scientist, Farallon Institute and Lily Verdone, Executive Director, Marin Agricultural Land Trust.
🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Coffee and Self Directed Tour of Labrynth and Gardens
Host: Asombrosa
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Asombrosa, 3365 I Street, Petaluma, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 150.00
