A Queer Climate Movement Takes Root Along the Russian River

There’s a certain kind of queer magic that thrives along the Russian River.

For more than a century, queer people have sought refuge in rural Sonoma County, leaving the stress of city life for the peace — and parties — of the sprawling river valley and redwood forests. Artists, hippies, nude sun bathers, cruisers and even disco legends like Sylvester have all flocked there over the decades.

Now, two groups, Shelterwood Collective and Solar Punk Farms , are actively calling queer people back to the land, and not only to party. They’re creating a different type of magic: Shelterwood is restoring acres of forest through Indigenous practices like controlled burns, and Solar Punk advocates for environmental policy and farms the land — all while making space for queer community-buildin