Redwood Empire Council

Redwood Empire Council is the local council of Scouting America that serves youth and families in Mendocino and Sonoma counties in California.

The Petaluma Area Council #041 (originally Petaluma Council) was founded in 1919, and served the cities/towns of Petaluma, Sonoma, Cotati, and adjacent unincorporated communities. In 1943, it expanded through a territory transfer with the Silverado Area Council (at this time adding Mendocino County and northern Sonoma County area). At that time, the PAC voted to rename itself the Sonoma-Mendocino Area Council.

The Redwood Area Council #044 was founded in 1923. Following the recommendation of a 1991 Western Region council realignment study, the Redwood Area Council agreed to merge with the Sonoma-Mendocino Area Council in 1992, and at that time SMAC #041 added the board members of the RAC and voted to rename the larger council Redwood Empire Council.

In early 2012, Scouting in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties were reassigned to Crater Lake Council (Oregon), while Redwood Empire Council retained the Scouting programs in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.

Redwood Empire Council celebrated its 2019 Centennial Year with seven major events held throughout the year. The regular events enhanced for the Centennial included the Council Recognition Dinner, Distinguished Citizen Dinner, Gala and Auction, and Order of the Arrow Lodge Dinner. The three special activities in 2019 included a Centennial Eagle Scout Reunion, Centennial in the Park (Petaluma), and a Centennial Council Camporee.

In February 2025, the full council membership voted 34-10 to approve a merger agreement with the Golden Gate Area Council (GGAC), and GGAC approved the merger in March 2025. Integration of Redwood Empire Council volunteers and staff into GGAC, but final corporate merger has not finalized by the California Secretary of State as of August 2025.