A Window into the Past – and a Treasure for the Future

For photographer Scott Hess, the Upper Petaluma is a priceless resource for the community.

Petaluma photographer Scott Hess is a long-time supporter of Friends. Over the years, he has taken many gorgeous photos of the Petaluma River. But for Scott, what’s most exciting are the photos he can take in the future - once Friends and our partners succeed in preserving the Upper Petaluma watershed.

“Since most of us haven’t seen it, the Upper Petaluma is a little mysterious and piques our curiosity,” says Scott. “I see it as unchartered territory and a massive and wonderful surprise for our community.”

The watershed is crucial for flood control and climate resilience. It’s also an extraordinary window into the natural history of our area.

“The Upper Petaluma gives you a glimpse of what the river was once like,” says Scott. “That includes the landscape with the beautiful old oaks and willows and all the birds and critters who call it home. In some areas, the river cuts into the valley floor, and you can see geological layers that are a window into the past.”

While other parks offer access to undeveloped land, they’re not as easily accessible to residents. The Upper Petaluma would fill that niche, allowing more community members to enjoy the beauty around us.

“When you visit parks like Putnam and Sonoma Mountain, you usually need to jump into a car, and you’re likely to do some climbing,” says Scott. “If we preserve the land around the Upper Petaluma, we’ll have a long stretch that’s easy to hike on foot. That would be a wonderful option for young kids and anyone looking for a flatter trail.”

As a photographer, Scott’s naturally attuned to the visual features of the area, but he also has a deep personal connection to spending time in our great outdoors.

“Being in nature is a way to reset your clock and system,” says Scott. “There’s something primal about how it takes you back to the basics of our land and environment.”

And though Scott already has spent countless hours outdoors, he’s most excited about what’s ahead.

“By opening up the Upper Petaluma, we can experience an undisturbed natural habitat that we’ve never seen,” he says. “I’m thrilled by what Friends has set out to do, and I urge everyone to help the effort by spreading the word.”

To learn how you can volunteer with Friends, visit https://www.petalumariver.org/. If you’d like to learn more about Scott, visit his studio website.