2012 represented the fifth and final year of the Ellman grants. The original grant of $150,000 from Phyllis and George Ellman has benefited several important environmental and historical preservation projects in the Valley. The grants in 2012 totaled $29,000, and were awarded to five Sonoma Valley non-profit organizations in support of projects fostering environmental awareness and specific environmental improvements.

Bouverie Preserve, Audubon Canyon Ranch — improve and maintain the ten miles of trails on the property

Sonoma Land Trust — connect the Loop Trail at Glen Oaks  Ranch  to the new benches, maintain and improve both the Upper Loop Trail and the George and Phyllis Ellman trails

Landpaths — continued support for Flowery Elementary School’s “In Our Own Backyard” program of field-based environmental activities and grassland restoration projects for third-graders

Quarryhill Botanical Garden — support for the outdoor youth curriculum

Sonoma Ecology Center — continued support for the K–12 Watershed Education Program, which provides hands-on bilingual science and outdoor experiences to 1,200 students annually