Winter 2011 Vistas Newsletter, Solano Land Trust
Content
Vol. 18 #2
Winter 2011
Rockville Trails destined to become Solano County’s crown jewel
Aleta George, Vistas Editor
❖ President’s Message ❖ St Anthony’s Conservation Easement ❖ Executive Director’s Perspective ❖ The Pond People Get to Work ❖ In Memoriam: Frank Morris ❖ Seeing Solano ❖ Volunteer Patricia Cooper ❖ Thank You Volunteers
A gentle climb on a fall day at Rockville Trails
Photo: Aleta George
❖ Activities & Events
“I don’t think people realize how magnificent this property is,” said Pam Muick on a recent walk at Rockville Trails. Muick, a biology and environmental studies instructor at Solano Community College and former Solano Land Trust (SLT) executive director, joined me and SLT staff member, Anne DeLozier, to explore Solano Land Trust’s newest 330 acres. I had to agree with Muick. Nothing that I had seen or heard about the property prepared me for the size and open beauty of the land. We started at Rockville Road and walked about a mile on a dirt ranch road to the plateau, which the property grazers call “Brush Mountain.” It took us several hours to get there because we stopped to look at lichen on
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President’s Message
Darrin Berardi, D.C., President
As the incoming president of Solano Land Trust’s board of directors, I want to tell you a bit about myself. I am the owner of Berardi Chiropractic in Fairfield, and have lived in this community all my life. My involvement in several other boards, including the Rotary Club and Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, have given me a solid foundation to take on this role and help me get a pulse of what’s going on in our community. For five years, I’ve had the pleasure of working on Solano Land Trust’s board and being involved with many activities and events. My goal as president is to be a good ambassador. I feel it is very important to build one-onone relationships with individuals and businesses in the community. I will also do all I can to help the organization grow and succeed. Solano County is very lucky to have an advocate for open space and agriculture that contributes to our quality of life. As 2011 comes to a close, we can reflect on the significant milestones of our 25th year. All that we have accomplished during this anniversary year can be attributed to the hard work, great ideas, leadership, and dedication of staff, board, volunteers, and supporters. I have watched the momentum pick up significantly in the last year, and the pace will continue until the Campaign for Rockville Trails wraps up. Solano Land Trust is growing into a major regional player for public land use and agricultural benefits. I’m looking forward to engaging with the community over the next few years, and helping them see that Solano Land Trust is a key contributor to the growth of a vital community where people want to live, work, and play.
Conservation agreement helps St. Anthony’s Parish build a new church in Winters while protecting valuable farmland
Nicole Byrd, Executive Director
This top-quality soil will remain in agriculture thanks to a conservation agreement with St. Anthony’s Parish
Photo: Audrey Kitzes
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Solano Land Trust and St. Anthony’s Parish anticipate the successful closing of three adjacent conservation agreements near Putah Creek, totaling almost 600 acres. The agreement is expected to close within weeks after this issue goes to press. The St. Anthony’s Parish Farmland Preserve sits atop the Dixon Ridge in Winters, a focus area for Solano Land Trust’s conservation work due to the region’s high-quality soils. “This project provides the public benefit of protecting a high-quality agricultural resource in perpetuity” says St. Anthony Parishioner John Hasbrook. “The easements help fulfill our stewardship responsibility while the proceeds from the sale of the easements will enable the Parish to support the building of a new church and meditation garden for our congregation and the greater Winters community. It is a great win-win result.” Under the agreement, the Parish will retain full ownership of the property while farming or leasing it for agricultural purposes. Non-agricultural development on the property will not be allowed, with the exception of housing for farm families and workers. In addition to preserving the land in agriculture, the agreement will make the land more affordable to future farm owners because it will be appraised at the agricultural value instead of the developable value. Like other landowners Solano Land Trust works with, the Parish was interested in preserving the land for agriculture while also pulling equity out of it. Farmers and ranchers often use conservation agreement funds to plant new orchards, pass money down to family members, or pay taxes. In the case of the Parish, they will use the funds to help them build a new church in Winters. Solano Land Trust received grants from the State of California’s Farmland Conservation Program and USDA’s Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to purchase this conservation easement.
Executive Director’s Perspective
Nicole Byrd, Executive Director
Fall is here and we are moving into full gear raising funds for the purchase of Rockville Trails, which we hope will be our county’s newest natural park. Fairfield Vice Mayor, Chuck Timm, and Solano County Supervisor, Linda Seifert, have stepped up to co-chair the effort, which is the largest community campaign ever undertaken by Solano Land Trust. As part of our community outreach and fundraising efforts, several visitors have hiked the property including NBC environmental reporter Doug McConnell, local reporters, and many early funders and donors. Rockville Trails offers unique naming opportunities that allow donors to recognize loved ones, businesses, and organizations. These naming opportunities include a six-mile portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a children’s interpretive loop, and the property’s highest point with a 360-degree view. Your support (large and small gifts alike) will be critical to our success. We hope you will contribute to our campaign! Fall is also the time that we recognize our family of volunteers. Solano Land Trust volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more than we could with paid staff alone. Volunteers help us in the office, teach environmental education programs, provide water to thirsty trail runners, lead hikes, and help us raise money for projects like Rockville Trails. This year over 450 volunteers did over 3,500 hours of volunteer work to support Solano Land Trust and our program partners. You are the heart and soul of our organization. Thank you!
Rockville Trails
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volcanic rocks, late season flowers like vinegar weed and California fuchsia, and trees that Muick called “geewhiz trees.” Muick, co-author of Oaks in California, pointed out a tree that was actually two-in-one: a leafless buckeye growing out of a California bay laurel burl. On the gentle climb we admired the openness of the land, and noted how different it was from Rockville Park across the road. “Rockville Trails will relieve some pressure on Rockville Park,” says Solano Land Trust board member Sean Quinn. “That park sees a high volume of visitors and Rockville Trails will absorb some of that activity and have the added benefit for equestrian riders to enjoy the trails, as well.” Nearing Brush Mountain, the vegetation transitioned from grassland and sparse oaks to thickets of coyote bush, coffeeberry, elderberry, and sticky monkeyflower. Atop the several-acre wooded plateau, the views are spectacular. From the eastern edge you can see from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Mount Diablo to the Sierras. “This is the easiest foot access to the greatest view in Solano County,” said Muick. A week after our walk, I drove the perimeter of the property with Larry Burch and Larry Zinkin, members of the Green Valley Landowners Association, the group that has fought residential development here for 30 years. The northern edge of the 1,500 acres is wild enough for mountain lions, and vast enough for us to have gotten slightly lost while exploring. The property has an existing system of ranch roads, and we guessed that a trail around the perimeter would be about ten-miles. Rockville Trails could be Solano County’s Marin Headlands. Though the properties differ in several ways, both were slated for large residential developments that were stymied by lawsuits. Both properties have beautiful views, and are large and wild. Like Marin Headlands, Rockville Trails could become a regional park with trails that connect to other trail systems, such as existing and proposed Bay Area Ridge Trails.
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Solano Land Trust is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers who help us reach goals far beyond what we could accomplish on our own. Learn more about a few of our volunteers on the next few pages.
The Pond People…
not a bad sci-fi movie title, but a group of volunteers who adopted a habitat restoration site
Sue Wickham, Project Manager
Janet Mackey and Linda Sonner tend to a new tree near the Frog Pond
Photo: Sue Wickham
Solano Land Trust owns beautiful lands that provide habitat for flora and fauna, common and endangered. Bit by bit, we are restoring prime habitat sites through grants and other funding sources. We have begun restoration work at several sites, but funding only supplied the initial work. It is these sites that we offer for “adoption.” In 2010, the “Pond People” adopted Frog Pond at King Ranch, and after initial guidance from staff, took on the needed maintenance tasks. They plant trees and shrubs, monitor growth, keep weeds at bay, and provide water, mulch, and tender loving care. The pond people have also taken on a small experiment using DriWater, a gelled-water, to provide moisture to seedlings. Maggie Ingalls, the group’s coordinator, is passionate about native plants and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. “I get a very peaceful feeling at Frog Pond. There are always some new plant discoveries and magnificent birds. I especially love to hear the meadowlarks sing,” she says. “The excitement of bringing an area back to life far outweighs the thistle and ticks that may be encountered.” Janet Mackey, an avid gardener and Solano Land Trust’s recently-named interim conservation project manager, was new in town when she joined the Pond People. “It’s great to meet people who enjoy being outdoors, and who love the land as much as I do.” Linda Sonner says that she joined the group to be part of a restoration project and to see how nature can flourish with a little help. The flexible volunteer schedule fits her lifestyle and her love of the outdoors. You can adopt-a-project too! The program is available to small groups of volunteers who are physically able, and who can organize themselves and commit to an extended time period. The Pond People would be happy to show off their site, and Solano Land Trust staff can introduce you to a variety of possible sites up for adoption. For more information about the program, contact Sue Wickham at (707) 432-0150 x 207 or [email protected].
In Memoriam
Frank Morris
May 19, 1951-August 28, 2011
Solano Land Trust board member, Lake Solano Park docent, and friend
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Photo: Frank Morris
Volunteer Susan Schneider gathers artists to discover Solano’s not-so-hidden treasures
Natalie DuMont, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Plein air painter Susan Schneider has a vision for Solano Land Trust, and she’s making it a reality. For several years she has graciously donated her work to our events, and after the success of the Heritage Feast & Art Susan Schneider Auction last year, Susan was inspired. She knew of other organizations that promote land conservation through art, and she had witnessed their success in bringing public awareness and much needed funds to the cause of land conservation. She envisioned similar strategies for Solano Land Trust, and proposed ways we could work together. Since then, a growing number of artists and photographers have joined Susan’s movement. Now over two-dozen professional artists are creating a body of work called Seeing Solano: Solano Land Trust Through the Eyes of Artists, now exhibited at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum through December 31, 2011. All the paintings and photographs in this growing collection are inspired by protected lands in Solano County including tidal marshes, oak woodlands, vernal pool grasslands, and working farms and ranches. Season after season, Susan is taking fellow artists to Lynch Canyon, King-Swett Ranches, Rush Ranch, Jepson Prairie, and other places protected by Solano Land Trust. “I really enjoy introducing artists to places I am so proud to say are here in our county,” says Susan. “Everyone who comes out with me says the same thing the first time they see our beautiful open spaces.‘Wow!’” Susan’s goal is to develop an ever widening audience and, hopefully, a collector base. “It’s a winwin partnership,” she says. “By the time Solano Land Trust’s Heritage Feast & Art Auction arrives on October 13, 2012, we should have quite a show to present!”
Gregory Vasgerdsian Jepson Dusk Oil on canvas, 9" x 12"
Susan Schneider Tadpole Shrimp, Jepson Prairie Casein on paper, 22" x 30"
Adriana Arriaga King Ranch I Digital photograph on canvas, 16" x 20"
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Rush Ranch docent passionate about volunteering and teaching children
Patricia Cooper, Rush Ranch Educational Council Docent
Volunteering is in my blood. In high school I was a member of the “S” Club, and after high school I was in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Once I had my own children, I took an active role in their band and baseball activities. I enjoy teaching and supporting children, who are the future of our country. Their minds are like sponges and their eagerness to learn is refreshing. In 2007, I read an article in the Daily Republic that Rush Ranch Educational Council (RREC) was looking for docents to teach third grade schoolchildren about the Patwin Indians, the local Native Americans who once lived and prospered in Solano and surrounding Counties. I wanted to get involved with my community and give back, so I attended the next RREC board meeting where I met board members and docents involved in the program. They welcomed me graciously and encouraged me to attend Patricia Cooper, a Solano County resident since 1972, a Tuesday program to see firsthand what RREC taught the children. I became a docent teaches local school children at Rush Ranch Photo: Al Ojeda and had Joel Mooney as my mentor. He provided me with written literature and taught me the information needed to teach the “Village Life” station (one of six educational stations that are taught). As I work full time outside of the county, I am not available to teach every Tuesday. It was great to learn that RREC did not expect me to teach weekly. Docents have the flexibility to notify the scheduler which days they are available to teach. Allowing docents this flexibility has improved the retention of docents. The opportunities to get involved with RREC are numerous. RREC is always trying to recruit new docents for the Patwin program. Currently, we turn schools away because we don’t have enough docents to expand the Patwin program. There are also other ways to get involved. You can lead (or assist with) spring wildflower or birds of prey hikes; host the annual native bee talk, stargazing events, or the Native American flute-making program; learn and demonstrate blacksmith skills; or help with the annual open house event. We also need a typist to assist with updating various booklets. Go to www.rushranch.net for more details on how to volunteer.
Virgil Sellers and other Rush Ranch Educational Council docents teach students about trading
Photo: Karen Vittorio
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Thank you volunteers!
Thank you for donating your time and energy this past year to Solano Land Trust and our program partners: Access Adventure, Jepson Prairie docents, Rush Ranch Educational Council, SF Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Solano County Parks, and the UC Natural Reserve System. Because of you, and our all-volunteer board of directors, we are able to reach goals far beyond what we could accomplish on our own. We appreciate you!
Chris Abess C.J. Addington Don Albenico Mei-Ling Albert John Allison John Amara Lars Anderson Frank Andrews Jen Antes Nate Baker Diane Ball Roger Banes Pat Barnes Deb Bartens Sandy Bateman Eric Bates Shawn Bawden Little Bear James Beavers Debbie Bell Karen Bell Sarah Bennett Heidi Bennion Carol Berman Ilene Bernstein Mark Bibbo Julia Blair Randie & Robert Boardman Jane Bogner Andrew Boult Ryan Boynton Brianne & Melissa Bradford Bettie Braito Chris Brennan Ann Breznock Larry Broderick Don Broderson Genesis Bross Deborah & John Buchanan Michelle Buchanan Megan Bucko Gerardo Bueno Terrie Burns Marime Burton Camille Bush Marianne Butler Juan Cabada Paul & Kristine Cabugao Kim Cambron Nancy Campbell Jim Carr Carole Lynnie Carvalho Bob Casillas David & Joanne Castro Karen Castro James & Nancy Chang Georgia Chris Catherine Christo Stephanie Chun Adam Clause The Clawson Family Terry Colborn S. Robert Colby Chuck Coleman Alan Colombano Camra Comier Sharon Commisso John Conway Barbara Cooper The Cooper Family Amy Coughan Tony Craig Christina Craig-Veit Mary Beth Crittendon Michael Cunningham Joel Curttal Aaron Damman Susan Danaher Ken Davis Dave & James Dean Lore Dias Paul Dieter Monica Carmel DiFalco Yolanda Dillinger Nellie Dimalanta Gene Doherty Jean & William Dolter Allyson Doolittle Bill Drake Candace Drake Russ Dugoni Jim Dunbar Brenda & Jon Duncan Jennifer Dunmire Joanne Dupper Sue Edwards Lisa Edwards Kirk Ehmsen John Eisenbart Arin & Ethan Ekandem ErinEkin Linda Elkins Mike Elliott Aubree & Clay Ellison Lou Encalada Teresa Engbring Harry Englebright Kyle Ensley Jennifer Erickson Katie Eskra Richard Esparza Mark Evans Malcolm Evett Sarah Faaborg Wendy Fanucchi Ann Farber Marilyn Farley Mary Lou Fazel Joseph Feller Wendy Ferrell Antara Finney Karen Flaharty Jorg & Mimi Fleige Cord Flora Deanna Forbes Charles Ford Harriet Foster Michele Frost Jerah Frye Don Fulton Agnes Gacayan Ashley Gage Ed Gallagher Connie Weir Gaona Scott Gardner Michelle Garrett Maureen Geiger Aleta & Dave George Jim Gerlacher Karen Gerlacher Cera Ghavimi Craig Gillespie Rebecca Goodwin Eldrith Gosney Jessie Govindasamy The Grabowski Family Sheila Grant Patty Graves Steve Graves Lisa Greenstein Joanne & Steve Greger Nanciann Gregg Susan Grossman Meg Grow Christine Gruhn Breann Gualandi Laurie Guest Ramona Gutierrez Doug Hampton Vince Hangman Gary Hansen Deni Harding Philip Harris Dilenna Harris The Harris Family Steve Harvey Susan Hassett Jane Hawkes Brad Heckman Ursula Heffernon Mike Heil Nash Henderson Cynthia Hermann Kathy Hicks Amanda Hicks Buzz Higgins Kathleen Higgins Tim Higgins Lindsey Hinton Joseph Hoberg Pat Hodel Kathy Hoffman Jennifer Hogan Katie Holzer Judi Honeychurch Dorothy Hope Karen & Mike Houston Ali Huda Russell Huddleston Bing Huey Jon Hussey Helga Imkamp Linda Inderbitzen Maggie Ingalls Tineke & Torsten Jacobsen Peter Jacobsen Margarite Jacoby Hylah Jacques Shirley Jensen James Jerrell T.J. Johnson Karen Johnson Julie Jone Amy Jong Debra Kalfas Emerson Kanawi Cricket Kanouff Greg Kareofelas Kristin Karlsrud Willy Karmazsin Ryan Keiffer David Kelly Brendan Kelly The Kenaston Family Gloria Kennard Rachel Kertesz Cathy Khan Judy Kiefer-Meyer Karen Killebrew Charles Kingeter Deena Kirby Pam Kirkbride Doris Klein Diana Krevsky Marta Kroges Travis Kroges Duane Kromm Byron Laird Louise Lamb Jody Lane Ron Lanza Linda Lazzeretti Emily Lebrocquy Anna Lee Linda Leece Tom Lessig Summer Lester Jenny Lester Moffitt Rhonda Letcher Kira Levin Chloe Lewis Karlyn Lewis David Lindsay Doug Lindsay Jim Litsinger Betty Livingston Daniel Lopez Sarah Lucero Lester Lyles Janet Mackey Laurie & Mathew Mackey Timothy Malte Rebecca Mannion Mindy Marker Sean Marquis Mort Marsh Chase Martin Deborah Martin Sue Martin Joe Martinez Linda Matlock Robert & Barbara Matranga Connie & Don Mauldin Katherine Mawdsley Bill Mayben Lillian McCallum Judy McCaskey Stephen McCord Mindi McCuen Monatte McGee Sam McGee Jodie McIntosh Kevin McQueen Lindsey McWilliams Eleanor Meadows Lauren Mellomida Jean-Claude Mercier Ginny Miller Renee Mitchell Jane Mitchell Michael Moir Eileen Mols Jane Moody Joel Mooney Aujenae Moore Steph Morgado Frank Morris Elizabeth Moses The Mosher Family The Mott Family Steffni & Thomas Muehleisen Pam Muick Michael Muir Carla Murphy NateMurphy Rebecca Murphy Gabriella Nathan-Funk Pat Negroni Pam Nelson Devin Neufeld Dennis Noland John O’Hara Elena & Marie Okun Morris Older Rachael Olliff Grant Ornbaun Fernando Ortiz de Zavallos Cathy O’Shea Cristina Padua-Hughes Marion Panzer Brian Parker Robert Parker Ann Parkinson Carole Paterson Jane Patterson Steve Pelandini Carol Peroie Greg & Sharon Peterson Joyce Pexton Jimmy Pierson Ellen Pimentel David Pinkham Alan and Alice Plutchok Jack Pratt Steve Pressley Nicole Proiette Raymond Prothero The Putnam Family Lisa Quintero Corky Quirk Samantha Ramirez Dawn Ramm Kristina Reese David Reider Jim Reikowsky Todd Rewick Craig Reynolds Mary Ann Rich Jen Riley Jon Riley Sydney Riley Dakota & Esther Roberts Kimberly Robinson Ron Roche Martha Rocka Avalon Rodriguez Omar Rodriguez Steve Rodriguez Victoria & Walter Rogers Nan Rohan Vickie Root Bonnie Greene Ross Ephrem Rukundo Margie Russell Michael Rydjord Erica Salas Miro Salazar Monieka Saldana Carolyn Sanchez Rupi Sandhu Michelle Saraceno Brett Saunders Crystal Scarlett Bridgette Schandelmier Dorothy Schenk Suzanne Scherff Mary Schiedt Susan Schneider Stuart Schroeder Janet Schunk Pam Seifert Virgil & Pat Sellers Lisa Serafini Mike Seto Mark Shaw Kristina & Lisa Shipley Monte Simmons Jessica Simon Danielle Simpson Patty Small Belinda Smith Ed & James Smith Brad Smith Barbara & Craig Smithson Jeong Song Linda Sonner Carol & Grayson Sorrels Maurice Sparks Jim Spering Barbara Steinberg Jim Steinert Michelle Stevens William Stewart Deborah Stewart Rikk Stockert Abigail Stockinger Stephen Stringer Jill Strohn Steven Strunk Sarah Stuerzl Lloyd Stueve Earl & Maylien Swenerton Thomas Taba The Takeuchi Family Dianne Tanaka Ben Taylor Courtney Taylor Erica Thomas Scott Thomas Rebecca Thomason Carol Thompson Robbin Thorp Chuck Timm Dan & Mika Tolson Bud & Lenny Tonnesen Sandy Tory AnneTrott Yianni Tsagarakis John & Skylar Tusting Luciano Valero Marty Van Holten Kitty Van Newkoop Liz Vasquez Karen Vittorio Judith Waelbrock GeneveiveWalden Penelope Walgenbach Ronald Walker Roy Wallace Jim & Coleen Walsh Warren Watkins Jessica Webb Keith Weissglass Tim & Roxane Wellman Caroline West Tom West Ben Wheeler Daniel Whiteley Sharon Wilkinson Dave Williams Phyllis Williams Yumi Wilson Doug Wirtz Doris & Rollye Wiskerson Carol Witham Scott Woodward Allison Wright Chris Wuoltee Janet Wyllie Zarah Wyly Marcus Yee Lucille Young Bonnie Yu Denise& Marshall Zavat Celia Zavatsky Jarrod Zerangue
If you volunteered this past year but your name is missing or misspelled, please accept our apology and notify [email protected].
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Lynch Canyon Open Space
Board memBers
Darrin Berardi, President Linda Seifert, Vice President Jeff Dittmer, Treasurer Michael Fortney, Secretary Bob Berman,
Immediate Past Pres.
Due to lack of funding for operations and maintenance, Lynch Canyon is closed until March 17, 2012. The public is invited to join docent-led or staff-led events:
For updates on events and directions to our properties go to
Birds of Prey Tour
Sunday, Nov. 13, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(A donation is suggested but not required) Join raptor expert Larry Broderick for a brief presentation on birds of prey, followed by a 3-4 mile moderate hike to watch for golden eagles, redtailed hawks, and other raptors. RSVP to Natalie (see box).
www.solanolandtrust.org
Most events are free and no reservations are required unless otherwise noted. For more information contact Natalie at [email protected] or (707) 432-0150 x 200 Citizen Science Friday Location TBD
Friday, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join staff scientist Sue Wickham to restore, maintain, and monitor Solano Land Trust properties. Learn about the science of land restoration and conservation while helping with projects. For ages 10 and up (youth must be accompanied by an adult). RSVP to Sue at (707) 432-0150 x 207 or [email protected].
Jim Campbell Elizabeth Fry Jane Hicks John Isaacson Albert M. Lavezzo Russell Lester Sean Quinn
Land Stewardship
Saturday, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to Noon
Help Solano Land Trust and Solano County with park maintenance. Meet at the Lynch Canyon parking lot. No RSVP required.
staFF
Nicole Byrd,
Executive Director Associate Director Office Manager & Stewardship Coordinator
Rush Ranch Open Space
Rush Ranch is open seven days/week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Suisun Hill Trail is open from dawn to dusk.
Deanna Mott,
Anne DeLozier,
Holiday at the Ranch exclusively for Members & Business Partners
Thursday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Don’t miss our annual holiday at the ranch party. Enjoy appetizers, door prizes, good company, and holiday cheer. Bring the little ones for a special appearance by Santa! Not a member or business partner yet? Join today at www.solanolandtrust.org. RSVP to Natalie (see box).
Natalie DuMont,
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Tracy Ellison, Conservation Project Coordinator
Jepson Prairie Preserve
While the vernal pools are filling with rain for next season’s show, wintering waterfowl arrive. The road through the preserve is open during daylight hours. No facilities.
Robert Garcia,
Field Steward
Janet Mackey, Interim Monatte McGee, Jessie Olson, Ken Poerner,
Raptor Workshop and Tour
Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 to 5 p.m.
(Donations suggested but not required) Join raptor expert Larry Broderick for a presentation and hike during the winter migratory season. He’ll give an in-class presentation about raptor identification and then lead a hike to Suisun Hill where eagles, falcons and hawks seek out ground squirrels. RSVP to Natalie (see box).
Conservation Project Manager, Land Transactions Rush Ranch Steward Restoration Planner Land Steward Conservation Project Manager Project Manager
King and Swett Ranches
The King and Swett Ranches are currently open to the public only during staff- or docent-led activities.
Guided Hike
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join guide Jim Walsh for a rigorous hike to explore this beautiful open space. Meet at the park-and-ride on the Hiddenbrooke side of the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit off I-80. No RSVP required.
Ben Wallace,
Get the Rush!
Saturday, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to Noon
9 a.m.: Easy docent-led walk to learn about the marsh and local human history. 10 a.m.: Interactive blacksmith demonstration and Native American culture display with interpretation by Little Bear. 11 a.m.: Horse-drawn carriage rides around the ranch (limited ability and able-bodied people are welcome). These events made possible by the volunteers of Access Adventure, Rush Ranch Educational Council and Solano Land Trust.
Sue Wickham, Aleta George,
Editor, SLT Vistas Graphics, SLT Vistas
WG Design Group,
Logo design based on original art by Don Birrell
Land Stewardship
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to Noon
Join Land Steward Ken Poerner for outdoor volunteer opportunities. Meet in Rush Ranch courtyard. No RSVP required.
Mushroom at King
Photo: Nicole Byrd
Solano Land Trust 1001 Texas Street, Suite C Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 432-0150
Non–Profit Organization US Postage Paid Fairfield, CA 94533 Permit # 00234
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Preserving Working Farms and natural areas in solano County sinCe 1986
Winter 2011
Rockville Trails destined to become Solano County’s crown jewel
Aleta George, Vistas Editor
❖ President’s Message ❖ St Anthony’s Conservation Easement ❖ Executive Director’s Perspective ❖ The Pond People Get to Work ❖ In Memoriam: Frank Morris ❖ Seeing Solano ❖ Volunteer Patricia Cooper ❖ Thank You Volunteers
A gentle climb on a fall day at Rockville Trails
Photo: Aleta George
❖ Activities & Events
“I don’t think people realize how magnificent this property is,” said Pam Muick on a recent walk at Rockville Trails. Muick, a biology and environmental studies instructor at Solano Community College and former Solano Land Trust (SLT) executive director, joined me and SLT staff member, Anne DeLozier, to explore Solano Land Trust’s newest 330 acres. I had to agree with Muick. Nothing that I had seen or heard about the property prepared me for the size and open beauty of the land. We started at Rockville Road and walked about a mile on a dirt ranch road to the plateau, which the property grazers call “Brush Mountain.” It took us several hours to get there because we stopped to look at lichen on
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President’s Message
Darrin Berardi, D.C., President
As the incoming president of Solano Land Trust’s board of directors, I want to tell you a bit about myself. I am the owner of Berardi Chiropractic in Fairfield, and have lived in this community all my life. My involvement in several other boards, including the Rotary Club and Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, have given me a solid foundation to take on this role and help me get a pulse of what’s going on in our community. For five years, I’ve had the pleasure of working on Solano Land Trust’s board and being involved with many activities and events. My goal as president is to be a good ambassador. I feel it is very important to build one-onone relationships with individuals and businesses in the community. I will also do all I can to help the organization grow and succeed. Solano County is very lucky to have an advocate for open space and agriculture that contributes to our quality of life. As 2011 comes to a close, we can reflect on the significant milestones of our 25th year. All that we have accomplished during this anniversary year can be attributed to the hard work, great ideas, leadership, and dedication of staff, board, volunteers, and supporters. I have watched the momentum pick up significantly in the last year, and the pace will continue until the Campaign for Rockville Trails wraps up. Solano Land Trust is growing into a major regional player for public land use and agricultural benefits. I’m looking forward to engaging with the community over the next few years, and helping them see that Solano Land Trust is a key contributor to the growth of a vital community where people want to live, work, and play.
Conservation agreement helps St. Anthony’s Parish build a new church in Winters while protecting valuable farmland
Nicole Byrd, Executive Director
This top-quality soil will remain in agriculture thanks to a conservation agreement with St. Anthony’s Parish
Photo: Audrey Kitzes
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Solano Land Trust and St. Anthony’s Parish anticipate the successful closing of three adjacent conservation agreements near Putah Creek, totaling almost 600 acres. The agreement is expected to close within weeks after this issue goes to press. The St. Anthony’s Parish Farmland Preserve sits atop the Dixon Ridge in Winters, a focus area for Solano Land Trust’s conservation work due to the region’s high-quality soils. “This project provides the public benefit of protecting a high-quality agricultural resource in perpetuity” says St. Anthony Parishioner John Hasbrook. “The easements help fulfill our stewardship responsibility while the proceeds from the sale of the easements will enable the Parish to support the building of a new church and meditation garden for our congregation and the greater Winters community. It is a great win-win result.” Under the agreement, the Parish will retain full ownership of the property while farming or leasing it for agricultural purposes. Non-agricultural development on the property will not be allowed, with the exception of housing for farm families and workers. In addition to preserving the land in agriculture, the agreement will make the land more affordable to future farm owners because it will be appraised at the agricultural value instead of the developable value. Like other landowners Solano Land Trust works with, the Parish was interested in preserving the land for agriculture while also pulling equity out of it. Farmers and ranchers often use conservation agreement funds to plant new orchards, pass money down to family members, or pay taxes. In the case of the Parish, they will use the funds to help them build a new church in Winters. Solano Land Trust received grants from the State of California’s Farmland Conservation Program and USDA’s Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program to purchase this conservation easement.
Executive Director’s Perspective
Nicole Byrd, Executive Director
Fall is here and we are moving into full gear raising funds for the purchase of Rockville Trails, which we hope will be our county’s newest natural park. Fairfield Vice Mayor, Chuck Timm, and Solano County Supervisor, Linda Seifert, have stepped up to co-chair the effort, which is the largest community campaign ever undertaken by Solano Land Trust. As part of our community outreach and fundraising efforts, several visitors have hiked the property including NBC environmental reporter Doug McConnell, local reporters, and many early funders and donors. Rockville Trails offers unique naming opportunities that allow donors to recognize loved ones, businesses, and organizations. These naming opportunities include a six-mile portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a children’s interpretive loop, and the property’s highest point with a 360-degree view. Your support (large and small gifts alike) will be critical to our success. We hope you will contribute to our campaign! Fall is also the time that we recognize our family of volunteers. Solano Land Trust volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more than we could with paid staff alone. Volunteers help us in the office, teach environmental education programs, provide water to thirsty trail runners, lead hikes, and help us raise money for projects like Rockville Trails. This year over 450 volunteers did over 3,500 hours of volunteer work to support Solano Land Trust and our program partners. You are the heart and soul of our organization. Thank you!
Rockville Trails
Continued from page 1
volcanic rocks, late season flowers like vinegar weed and California fuchsia, and trees that Muick called “geewhiz trees.” Muick, co-author of Oaks in California, pointed out a tree that was actually two-in-one: a leafless buckeye growing out of a California bay laurel burl. On the gentle climb we admired the openness of the land, and noted how different it was from Rockville Park across the road. “Rockville Trails will relieve some pressure on Rockville Park,” says Solano Land Trust board member Sean Quinn. “That park sees a high volume of visitors and Rockville Trails will absorb some of that activity and have the added benefit for equestrian riders to enjoy the trails, as well.” Nearing Brush Mountain, the vegetation transitioned from grassland and sparse oaks to thickets of coyote bush, coffeeberry, elderberry, and sticky monkeyflower. Atop the several-acre wooded plateau, the views are spectacular. From the eastern edge you can see from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Mount Diablo to the Sierras. “This is the easiest foot access to the greatest view in Solano County,” said Muick. A week after our walk, I drove the perimeter of the property with Larry Burch and Larry Zinkin, members of the Green Valley Landowners Association, the group that has fought residential development here for 30 years. The northern edge of the 1,500 acres is wild enough for mountain lions, and vast enough for us to have gotten slightly lost while exploring. The property has an existing system of ranch roads, and we guessed that a trail around the perimeter would be about ten-miles. Rockville Trails could be Solano County’s Marin Headlands. Though the properties differ in several ways, both were slated for large residential developments that were stymied by lawsuits. Both properties have beautiful views, and are large and wild. Like Marin Headlands, Rockville Trails could become a regional park with trails that connect to other trail systems, such as existing and proposed Bay Area Ridge Trails.
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Solano Land Trust is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers who help us reach goals far beyond what we could accomplish on our own. Learn more about a few of our volunteers on the next few pages.
The Pond People…
not a bad sci-fi movie title, but a group of volunteers who adopted a habitat restoration site
Sue Wickham, Project Manager
Janet Mackey and Linda Sonner tend to a new tree near the Frog Pond
Photo: Sue Wickham
Solano Land Trust owns beautiful lands that provide habitat for flora and fauna, common and endangered. Bit by bit, we are restoring prime habitat sites through grants and other funding sources. We have begun restoration work at several sites, but funding only supplied the initial work. It is these sites that we offer for “adoption.” In 2010, the “Pond People” adopted Frog Pond at King Ranch, and after initial guidance from staff, took on the needed maintenance tasks. They plant trees and shrubs, monitor growth, keep weeds at bay, and provide water, mulch, and tender loving care. The pond people have also taken on a small experiment using DriWater, a gelled-water, to provide moisture to seedlings. Maggie Ingalls, the group’s coordinator, is passionate about native plants and the interconnectedness of ecosystems. “I get a very peaceful feeling at Frog Pond. There are always some new plant discoveries and magnificent birds. I especially love to hear the meadowlarks sing,” she says. “The excitement of bringing an area back to life far outweighs the thistle and ticks that may be encountered.” Janet Mackey, an avid gardener and Solano Land Trust’s recently-named interim conservation project manager, was new in town when she joined the Pond People. “It’s great to meet people who enjoy being outdoors, and who love the land as much as I do.” Linda Sonner says that she joined the group to be part of a restoration project and to see how nature can flourish with a little help. The flexible volunteer schedule fits her lifestyle and her love of the outdoors. You can adopt-a-project too! The program is available to small groups of volunteers who are physically able, and who can organize themselves and commit to an extended time period. The Pond People would be happy to show off their site, and Solano Land Trust staff can introduce you to a variety of possible sites up for adoption. For more information about the program, contact Sue Wickham at (707) 432-0150 x 207 or [email protected].
In Memoriam
Frank Morris
May 19, 1951-August 28, 2011
Solano Land Trust board member, Lake Solano Park docent, and friend
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Photo: Frank Morris
Volunteer Susan Schneider gathers artists to discover Solano’s not-so-hidden treasures
Natalie DuMont, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator
Plein air painter Susan Schneider has a vision for Solano Land Trust, and she’s making it a reality. For several years she has graciously donated her work to our events, and after the success of the Heritage Feast & Art Susan Schneider Auction last year, Susan was inspired. She knew of other organizations that promote land conservation through art, and she had witnessed their success in bringing public awareness and much needed funds to the cause of land conservation. She envisioned similar strategies for Solano Land Trust, and proposed ways we could work together. Since then, a growing number of artists and photographers have joined Susan’s movement. Now over two-dozen professional artists are creating a body of work called Seeing Solano: Solano Land Trust Through the Eyes of Artists, now exhibited at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum through December 31, 2011. All the paintings and photographs in this growing collection are inspired by protected lands in Solano County including tidal marshes, oak woodlands, vernal pool grasslands, and working farms and ranches. Season after season, Susan is taking fellow artists to Lynch Canyon, King-Swett Ranches, Rush Ranch, Jepson Prairie, and other places protected by Solano Land Trust. “I really enjoy introducing artists to places I am so proud to say are here in our county,” says Susan. “Everyone who comes out with me says the same thing the first time they see our beautiful open spaces.‘Wow!’” Susan’s goal is to develop an ever widening audience and, hopefully, a collector base. “It’s a winwin partnership,” she says. “By the time Solano Land Trust’s Heritage Feast & Art Auction arrives on October 13, 2012, we should have quite a show to present!”
Gregory Vasgerdsian Jepson Dusk Oil on canvas, 9" x 12"
Susan Schneider Tadpole Shrimp, Jepson Prairie Casein on paper, 22" x 30"
Adriana Arriaga King Ranch I Digital photograph on canvas, 16" x 20"
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Rush Ranch docent passionate about volunteering and teaching children
Patricia Cooper, Rush Ranch Educational Council Docent
Volunteering is in my blood. In high school I was a member of the “S” Club, and after high school I was in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Once I had my own children, I took an active role in their band and baseball activities. I enjoy teaching and supporting children, who are the future of our country. Their minds are like sponges and their eagerness to learn is refreshing. In 2007, I read an article in the Daily Republic that Rush Ranch Educational Council (RREC) was looking for docents to teach third grade schoolchildren about the Patwin Indians, the local Native Americans who once lived and prospered in Solano and surrounding Counties. I wanted to get involved with my community and give back, so I attended the next RREC board meeting where I met board members and docents involved in the program. They welcomed me graciously and encouraged me to attend Patricia Cooper, a Solano County resident since 1972, a Tuesday program to see firsthand what RREC taught the children. I became a docent teaches local school children at Rush Ranch Photo: Al Ojeda and had Joel Mooney as my mentor. He provided me with written literature and taught me the information needed to teach the “Village Life” station (one of six educational stations that are taught). As I work full time outside of the county, I am not available to teach every Tuesday. It was great to learn that RREC did not expect me to teach weekly. Docents have the flexibility to notify the scheduler which days they are available to teach. Allowing docents this flexibility has improved the retention of docents. The opportunities to get involved with RREC are numerous. RREC is always trying to recruit new docents for the Patwin program. Currently, we turn schools away because we don’t have enough docents to expand the Patwin program. There are also other ways to get involved. You can lead (or assist with) spring wildflower or birds of prey hikes; host the annual native bee talk, stargazing events, or the Native American flute-making program; learn and demonstrate blacksmith skills; or help with the annual open house event. We also need a typist to assist with updating various booklets. Go to www.rushranch.net for more details on how to volunteer.
Virgil Sellers and other Rush Ranch Educational Council docents teach students about trading
Photo: Karen Vittorio
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Thank you volunteers!
Thank you for donating your time and energy this past year to Solano Land Trust and our program partners: Access Adventure, Jepson Prairie docents, Rush Ranch Educational Council, SF Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Solano County Parks, and the UC Natural Reserve System. Because of you, and our all-volunteer board of directors, we are able to reach goals far beyond what we could accomplish on our own. We appreciate you!
Chris Abess C.J. Addington Don Albenico Mei-Ling Albert John Allison John Amara Lars Anderson Frank Andrews Jen Antes Nate Baker Diane Ball Roger Banes Pat Barnes Deb Bartens Sandy Bateman Eric Bates Shawn Bawden Little Bear James Beavers Debbie Bell Karen Bell Sarah Bennett Heidi Bennion Carol Berman Ilene Bernstein Mark Bibbo Julia Blair Randie & Robert Boardman Jane Bogner Andrew Boult Ryan Boynton Brianne & Melissa Bradford Bettie Braito Chris Brennan Ann Breznock Larry Broderick Don Broderson Genesis Bross Deborah & John Buchanan Michelle Buchanan Megan Bucko Gerardo Bueno Terrie Burns Marime Burton Camille Bush Marianne Butler Juan Cabada Paul & Kristine Cabugao Kim Cambron Nancy Campbell Jim Carr Carole Lynnie Carvalho Bob Casillas David & Joanne Castro Karen Castro James & Nancy Chang Georgia Chris Catherine Christo Stephanie Chun Adam Clause The Clawson Family Terry Colborn S. Robert Colby Chuck Coleman Alan Colombano Camra Comier Sharon Commisso John Conway Barbara Cooper The Cooper Family Amy Coughan Tony Craig Christina Craig-Veit Mary Beth Crittendon Michael Cunningham Joel Curttal Aaron Damman Susan Danaher Ken Davis Dave & James Dean Lore Dias Paul Dieter Monica Carmel DiFalco Yolanda Dillinger Nellie Dimalanta Gene Doherty Jean & William Dolter Allyson Doolittle Bill Drake Candace Drake Russ Dugoni Jim Dunbar Brenda & Jon Duncan Jennifer Dunmire Joanne Dupper Sue Edwards Lisa Edwards Kirk Ehmsen John Eisenbart Arin & Ethan Ekandem ErinEkin Linda Elkins Mike Elliott Aubree & Clay Ellison Lou Encalada Teresa Engbring Harry Englebright Kyle Ensley Jennifer Erickson Katie Eskra Richard Esparza Mark Evans Malcolm Evett Sarah Faaborg Wendy Fanucchi Ann Farber Marilyn Farley Mary Lou Fazel Joseph Feller Wendy Ferrell Antara Finney Karen Flaharty Jorg & Mimi Fleige Cord Flora Deanna Forbes Charles Ford Harriet Foster Michele Frost Jerah Frye Don Fulton Agnes Gacayan Ashley Gage Ed Gallagher Connie Weir Gaona Scott Gardner Michelle Garrett Maureen Geiger Aleta & Dave George Jim Gerlacher Karen Gerlacher Cera Ghavimi Craig Gillespie Rebecca Goodwin Eldrith Gosney Jessie Govindasamy The Grabowski Family Sheila Grant Patty Graves Steve Graves Lisa Greenstein Joanne & Steve Greger Nanciann Gregg Susan Grossman Meg Grow Christine Gruhn Breann Gualandi Laurie Guest Ramona Gutierrez Doug Hampton Vince Hangman Gary Hansen Deni Harding Philip Harris Dilenna Harris The Harris Family Steve Harvey Susan Hassett Jane Hawkes Brad Heckman Ursula Heffernon Mike Heil Nash Henderson Cynthia Hermann Kathy Hicks Amanda Hicks Buzz Higgins Kathleen Higgins Tim Higgins Lindsey Hinton Joseph Hoberg Pat Hodel Kathy Hoffman Jennifer Hogan Katie Holzer Judi Honeychurch Dorothy Hope Karen & Mike Houston Ali Huda Russell Huddleston Bing Huey Jon Hussey Helga Imkamp Linda Inderbitzen Maggie Ingalls Tineke & Torsten Jacobsen Peter Jacobsen Margarite Jacoby Hylah Jacques Shirley Jensen James Jerrell T.J. Johnson Karen Johnson Julie Jone Amy Jong Debra Kalfas Emerson Kanawi Cricket Kanouff Greg Kareofelas Kristin Karlsrud Willy Karmazsin Ryan Keiffer David Kelly Brendan Kelly The Kenaston Family Gloria Kennard Rachel Kertesz Cathy Khan Judy Kiefer-Meyer Karen Killebrew Charles Kingeter Deena Kirby Pam Kirkbride Doris Klein Diana Krevsky Marta Kroges Travis Kroges Duane Kromm Byron Laird Louise Lamb Jody Lane Ron Lanza Linda Lazzeretti Emily Lebrocquy Anna Lee Linda Leece Tom Lessig Summer Lester Jenny Lester Moffitt Rhonda Letcher Kira Levin Chloe Lewis Karlyn Lewis David Lindsay Doug Lindsay Jim Litsinger Betty Livingston Daniel Lopez Sarah Lucero Lester Lyles Janet Mackey Laurie & Mathew Mackey Timothy Malte Rebecca Mannion Mindy Marker Sean Marquis Mort Marsh Chase Martin Deborah Martin Sue Martin Joe Martinez Linda Matlock Robert & Barbara Matranga Connie & Don Mauldin Katherine Mawdsley Bill Mayben Lillian McCallum Judy McCaskey Stephen McCord Mindi McCuen Monatte McGee Sam McGee Jodie McIntosh Kevin McQueen Lindsey McWilliams Eleanor Meadows Lauren Mellomida Jean-Claude Mercier Ginny Miller Renee Mitchell Jane Mitchell Michael Moir Eileen Mols Jane Moody Joel Mooney Aujenae Moore Steph Morgado Frank Morris Elizabeth Moses The Mosher Family The Mott Family Steffni & Thomas Muehleisen Pam Muick Michael Muir Carla Murphy NateMurphy Rebecca Murphy Gabriella Nathan-Funk Pat Negroni Pam Nelson Devin Neufeld Dennis Noland John O’Hara Elena & Marie Okun Morris Older Rachael Olliff Grant Ornbaun Fernando Ortiz de Zavallos Cathy O’Shea Cristina Padua-Hughes Marion Panzer Brian Parker Robert Parker Ann Parkinson Carole Paterson Jane Patterson Steve Pelandini Carol Peroie Greg & Sharon Peterson Joyce Pexton Jimmy Pierson Ellen Pimentel David Pinkham Alan and Alice Plutchok Jack Pratt Steve Pressley Nicole Proiette Raymond Prothero The Putnam Family Lisa Quintero Corky Quirk Samantha Ramirez Dawn Ramm Kristina Reese David Reider Jim Reikowsky Todd Rewick Craig Reynolds Mary Ann Rich Jen Riley Jon Riley Sydney Riley Dakota & Esther Roberts Kimberly Robinson Ron Roche Martha Rocka Avalon Rodriguez Omar Rodriguez Steve Rodriguez Victoria & Walter Rogers Nan Rohan Vickie Root Bonnie Greene Ross Ephrem Rukundo Margie Russell Michael Rydjord Erica Salas Miro Salazar Monieka Saldana Carolyn Sanchez Rupi Sandhu Michelle Saraceno Brett Saunders Crystal Scarlett Bridgette Schandelmier Dorothy Schenk Suzanne Scherff Mary Schiedt Susan Schneider Stuart Schroeder Janet Schunk Pam Seifert Virgil & Pat Sellers Lisa Serafini Mike Seto Mark Shaw Kristina & Lisa Shipley Monte Simmons Jessica Simon Danielle Simpson Patty Small Belinda Smith Ed & James Smith Brad Smith Barbara & Craig Smithson Jeong Song Linda Sonner Carol & Grayson Sorrels Maurice Sparks Jim Spering Barbara Steinberg Jim Steinert Michelle Stevens William Stewart Deborah Stewart Rikk Stockert Abigail Stockinger Stephen Stringer Jill Strohn Steven Strunk Sarah Stuerzl Lloyd Stueve Earl & Maylien Swenerton Thomas Taba The Takeuchi Family Dianne Tanaka Ben Taylor Courtney Taylor Erica Thomas Scott Thomas Rebecca Thomason Carol Thompson Robbin Thorp Chuck Timm Dan & Mika Tolson Bud & Lenny Tonnesen Sandy Tory AnneTrott Yianni Tsagarakis John & Skylar Tusting Luciano Valero Marty Van Holten Kitty Van Newkoop Liz Vasquez Karen Vittorio Judith Waelbrock GeneveiveWalden Penelope Walgenbach Ronald Walker Roy Wallace Jim & Coleen Walsh Warren Watkins Jessica Webb Keith Weissglass Tim & Roxane Wellman Caroline West Tom West Ben Wheeler Daniel Whiteley Sharon Wilkinson Dave Williams Phyllis Williams Yumi Wilson Doug Wirtz Doris & Rollye Wiskerson Carol Witham Scott Woodward Allison Wright Chris Wuoltee Janet Wyllie Zarah Wyly Marcus Yee Lucille Young Bonnie Yu Denise& Marshall Zavat Celia Zavatsky Jarrod Zerangue
If you volunteered this past year but your name is missing or misspelled, please accept our apology and notify [email protected].
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Lynch Canyon Open Space
Board memBers
Darrin Berardi, President Linda Seifert, Vice President Jeff Dittmer, Treasurer Michael Fortney, Secretary Bob Berman,
Immediate Past Pres.
Due to lack of funding for operations and maintenance, Lynch Canyon is closed until March 17, 2012. The public is invited to join docent-led or staff-led events:
For updates on events and directions to our properties go to
Birds of Prey Tour
Sunday, Nov. 13, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(A donation is suggested but not required) Join raptor expert Larry Broderick for a brief presentation on birds of prey, followed by a 3-4 mile moderate hike to watch for golden eagles, redtailed hawks, and other raptors. RSVP to Natalie (see box).
www.solanolandtrust.org
Most events are free and no reservations are required unless otherwise noted. For more information contact Natalie at [email protected] or (707) 432-0150 x 200 Citizen Science Friday Location TBD
Friday, Nov. 18, Dec. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join staff scientist Sue Wickham to restore, maintain, and monitor Solano Land Trust properties. Learn about the science of land restoration and conservation while helping with projects. For ages 10 and up (youth must be accompanied by an adult). RSVP to Sue at (707) 432-0150 x 207 or [email protected].
Jim Campbell Elizabeth Fry Jane Hicks John Isaacson Albert M. Lavezzo Russell Lester Sean Quinn
Land Stewardship
Saturday, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to Noon
Help Solano Land Trust and Solano County with park maintenance. Meet at the Lynch Canyon parking lot. No RSVP required.
staFF
Nicole Byrd,
Executive Director Associate Director Office Manager & Stewardship Coordinator
Rush Ranch Open Space
Rush Ranch is open seven days/week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Suisun Hill Trail is open from dawn to dusk.
Deanna Mott,
Anne DeLozier,
Holiday at the Ranch exclusively for Members & Business Partners
Thursday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Don’t miss our annual holiday at the ranch party. Enjoy appetizers, door prizes, good company, and holiday cheer. Bring the little ones for a special appearance by Santa! Not a member or business partner yet? Join today at www.solanolandtrust.org. RSVP to Natalie (see box).
Natalie DuMont,
Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Tracy Ellison, Conservation Project Coordinator
Jepson Prairie Preserve
While the vernal pools are filling with rain for next season’s show, wintering waterfowl arrive. The road through the preserve is open during daylight hours. No facilities.
Robert Garcia,
Field Steward
Janet Mackey, Interim Monatte McGee, Jessie Olson, Ken Poerner,
Raptor Workshop and Tour
Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 to 5 p.m.
(Donations suggested but not required) Join raptor expert Larry Broderick for a presentation and hike during the winter migratory season. He’ll give an in-class presentation about raptor identification and then lead a hike to Suisun Hill where eagles, falcons and hawks seek out ground squirrels. RSVP to Natalie (see box).
Conservation Project Manager, Land Transactions Rush Ranch Steward Restoration Planner Land Steward Conservation Project Manager Project Manager
King and Swett Ranches
The King and Swett Ranches are currently open to the public only during staff- or docent-led activities.
Guided Hike
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join guide Jim Walsh for a rigorous hike to explore this beautiful open space. Meet at the park-and-ride on the Hiddenbrooke side of the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit off I-80. No RSVP required.
Ben Wallace,
Get the Rush!
Saturday, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to Noon
9 a.m.: Easy docent-led walk to learn about the marsh and local human history. 10 a.m.: Interactive blacksmith demonstration and Native American culture display with interpretation by Little Bear. 11 a.m.: Horse-drawn carriage rides around the ranch (limited ability and able-bodied people are welcome). These events made possible by the volunteers of Access Adventure, Rush Ranch Educational Council and Solano Land Trust.
Sue Wickham, Aleta George,
Editor, SLT Vistas Graphics, SLT Vistas
WG Design Group,
Logo design based on original art by Don Birrell
Land Stewardship
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to Noon
Join Land Steward Ken Poerner for outdoor volunteer opportunities. Meet in Rush Ranch courtyard. No RSVP required.
Mushroom at King
Photo: Nicole Byrd
Solano Land Trust 1001 Texas Street, Suite C Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 432-0150
Non–Profit Organization US Postage Paid Fairfield, CA 94533 Permit # 00234
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Preserving Working Farms and natural areas in solano County sinCe 1986
