Page 2 - The Cedars - Sonoma County Treasure

Introduction to The Cedars
In 1981, Roger Raiche rst came to explore The Cedars. This year, we celebrate Roger’s 35-year love affair and volunteer efforts with this special piece of land. In 1999, he was able to purchase The Main Canyon parcel with David McCrory. The two shared the goal of placing The Main Canyon into long-term conservation. In 2011, that
goal was achieved. This year we also celebrate the 5-year mark of reaching that goal. This book shares the story of those involved in The Cedars conservation and highlights many of the amazing treasures of the land.
Billions of years ago as the Earth formed, the peridotite rocks of The Cedars churned within the mantle of our planet under great pressure. This large chunk of metal and mineral rich mantle rock came to the surface as the Earth evolved through the geological process of subduction along the continental plate under the Paci c Ocean. The lower pressure on the surface made the rock expand and crack. Combined with air and water, this started the process of serpentinization, partially transforming the rock.
The composition of the rock and soils are so different than most of
the Earth’s surface; the area is ideal for unique
life forms to occupy. As Susan Harrison (plant ecologist at UC Davis)
has said, “It’s sort of
like Madagascar or the Galapagos or something. It has just the potential for some cool evolutionary stuff to happen.” And indeed, it has.
David McCrory
Roger Raiche
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