Fall of 2021 was filled with rain, which ended up avoiding another fire season in Sonoma County. All communities – students, teachers, parents, etc. – were all relieved and grateful for the rain. Schools were able to continue without worry about smoke or fire, and the stress that is usually experienced during that time was alleviated. 

Though Sonoma County was able to avoid another fire season, the winter season has been almost completely dry. While Northern California experienced showers in the colder months, we have not experienced them even in the first couple of months of 2022.

Bloomberg published an article sharing the concerns of entering into another drought in 2022. They mention that California’s agriculture industry is responsible for over 12% of the country’s population. For local farmers in Sonoma, the scarcity of water will make business more difficult and expensive. 

Genevieve Smith, junior, shared that she was “sadly unsurprised” and “already used to conserving water at home.” Other SVHS students share the same sentiment, as drought has become a normal aspect as locals. Water conservation and effects from droughts have been taught in the Environmental Science class, giving students more knowledge of a large part of California culture.

Continue to take shorter showers, conserve water when washing dishes or clothes, and use any left over water to hydrate plants!