Kerry Fugett is new director of Sonoma County Conservation Action

Sonoma County Conservation Action, a local environmental advocacy group, has hired a new executive director to take over for Dennis Rosatti, who has stepped down after 13 years.

Kerry Fugett, a Sonoma County native who grew up in Sebastopol, has launched into high-profile issues after just a week on the job. She has lobbied the California Coastal Commission to vote down a controversial plan to expand day-use fees at several county beaches this month, and earlier this week she argued on an episode of KQED “Forum” in favor of stricter rules on winery development.

Previously, Fugett worked as a community organizer promoting sustainable agriculture in Australia. Prior to that, she worked in business development at a San Francisco-based technology firm called Bluewolf.

“This move was driven by my desire to move home,” said Fugett, 29. “I missed the sense of community that Sonoma County has.”

Fugett said other critical issues for Conservation Action this year include increasing affordable housing and mixed-use development near Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit stations and working to pass a local ballot initiative in November to preserve greenbelts between cities.

“I have a lot of energy and ideas that I’m excited about,” she said. “It’s important to me to preserve our environment, agricultural land and the county’s natural beauty.”