Sarah Stierch

I'm a journalist, opinionist, photographer and polymath based in northern California.

I am currently on leave from my journalism work as I explore where I see my future in the world of information and sharing. More soon on what the future holds.

I write about wildfires, food, beverage, travel, history and the local culture of regions in Northern California. I also photograph a lot of these subjects.

Most recently, I contributed to Bay City News and The Mendocino Voice. I am the former Food & Wine Editor of the Sonoma Valley Sun and beverage and travel writer for Sonoma Magazine. I have contributed to North Bay Woman, the Press-Democrat, the North Bay Bohemian, Huffington Post, Wine Enthusiast, the Sonoma Index-Tribune, and NorthBay Biz.

My wildfire work was called "groundbreaking" by KQED Forum's Michael Krasny in 2017. In my wildfire coverage, I have appeared on KQED Forum, WNYC's The Takeway, the Weather Channel, KPFA, KSVY, KSRO and in the Washington Post, St. Helena Star, SF Gate, San Francisco Chronicle and ABC Weekend Nightly News.

My photography has been published by The Washington Post, Utne Reader, Motorburn, Nature World News, the Christian Post, Buzzfeed, KNPR, KQED, Thrillist, Frommers, Lonely Planet, the Financial Observer, Country Queer, ROAR, WAMU, the National Park Service, California State Parks, the NBA, Joie de Vivre Hotels, PETA, Hilton and more.

You can contact me at sarahstierch at gmail.com and find me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Local News Matters •

FEMA's sudden cancelation of federal wildfire mitigation funds hits home in Mendo County - Local News Matters

A federal program to support nearly $50 million in wildfire mitigation and home-hardening projects in the unincorporated community of Brooktrails in Mendocino County was canceled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the county said this week.In 2018, FEMA created the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, or BRIC, in response to major natural disasters, including the 2017 wildfires in Northern California. The program sought to help communities across the country be bet...
The Mendocino Voice •

Mendocino Theatre Company tackles dreams, facility and family in “The Glass Menagerie"

Fragility, regret, family and lost dreams are the themes that will be explored in the Mendocino Theatre Company’s production of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” opening Friday in Mendocino.   In the semi-autobiographical play, Williams tells the story of the Wingfield family and their daily life following the Great Depression. Characters include Amanda, the Southern belle mother with an addictive and romantic personality disorder; the traumatized and anxious da...
Local News Matters •

Legislator introduces bill to prohibit offshore drilling along Central, Bay Area coast

A new bill in Congress proposes banning new offshore fossil fuel drilling along the coast from Monterey to Mendocino County, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, said this week.  The Central Coast of California Conservation Act would prohibit new exploration, development or production leases for natural gas or oil along the Central Coast, and a portion of the North Coast.  The bill is part of a package of eight bills introduced in Congress to protect the Pacific and Atlantic oceans from fos...
Local News Matters •

Live music and cannabis culture to converge at annual Northern Nights fest this summer - Local News Matters

Tickets are now on sale for the summer Northern Nights Music Festival in Mendocino County, the lineup for which was announced earlier this month.Zeds Dead, Justin Martin, Jungle, Levity and Walker & Royce will headline the three-day electronic dance music festival scheduled for July 18-20 at Cooks Valley Campground near the unincorporated community of Piercy in northern Mendocino County.Over 50 artists will perform at the annual festival, which celebrates EDM and cannabis culture. Festival goers...
Local News Matters •

Bear with us: 27 years in the works, California finally updates black bear conservation plan - Local News Matters

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released its updated black bear conservation and management plan.The update to the plan — the first in 27 years — is the result of years of field research using the latest scientific tools and the collection and review of comments and feedback from over 5,000 groups and individuals.The new plan has two primary goals, CDFW officials said. The first is to implement a conservation and management plan allowing black bears to thrive across the state....
Local News Matters •

Musselwhite, Villalobos Brothers headline Mendocino Music Festival concert lineup - Local News Matters

The lineup has been released for the Mendocino Music Festival with Grammy Award winners Charlie Musselwhite and the Villalobos Brothers, and an international lineup of artists ranging from classical to country headlining.The Festival Orchestra, Chamber and Choir, which comprises musicians from throughout Northern California, will perform with conductors Allan Pollack, Ryan Murray and Francesco Lecce-Chong. Pianists James D’Leon, Keisuke Nakagoshi, Sergey Belyavsky and Rachel Breen, the Calder St...
Local News Matters •

Yountville passport program offers discounts on wine and beer tastings to boost tourism - Local News Matters

The town of Yountville has launched its new Wine and Beer Passport program with the hopes of increasing tourism.According to town officials, the new program that began April 1 and runs through the end of August offers discounted wine and beer tastings at 15 local businesses exclusive to passport holders. Offerings include $10 sparkling wine tastings at Chandon, 2-for-1 tastings at Stewart Cellars, and 10% off tastings at Mad Fritz Brewing.The Wine and Beer Passport costs $95 for two people. That...
Local News Matters •

Cheeses please: Two NorCal creameries win Best of Show awards at California State Fair - Local News Matters

TWO LOCAL CHEESES have been named Best of Show at the California State Fair’s 2025 Commercial Cheese Competition, the fair announced.Marin French Cheese won Best of Show cow’s milk cheese for its Golden Gate washed rind cheese. The Marin County creamery is the oldest cheese company in the United States, founded in 1865.The triple crème Golden Gate cheese is aged for 14 days during which it is handwashed with brine. It has a “deep, savory flavor, pungent aroma and gooey texture,” according to the...
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