See a Salamander Grow From a Single Cell in this Incredible Time-lapse |...

Witness the ‘making of’ a salamander from fertilization to hatching in this six minute time-lapse.

Craig McNamara Of Sierra Orchards Interview (part 1)

Craig McNamara of Sierra Orchards Interview (part 1)

Wooden Valley Winery

This generation of Lanzas has a vision for Wooden Valley Winery and Vineyards – to establish Suisun Valley as a world-class wine region. And as the family’s fourth generation matures, the future certainly looks bright for Mario and Lena’s great-grandchildren.

For the Lanzas, it’s all about family. They've maintained the tradition of gathering on a regular basis with close friends and relatives for delicious food and wine, to enjoy the results of their hard work. Visitors and Wine Club members are now included in that tradition, with winemaker dinners, harvest celebrations and special seasonal events throughout the year.

Citizen Science Friday March 8th 2019

March 8 @ 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Get involved in science on our lands! Solano Land Trust staff will teach you all you need to know.

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration required two or more days in advance. Contact Jasmine at: jasmine@solanolandtrust.org or 707-709-9028. Meeting place provided upon registration.

WHAT TO BE PREPARED FOR: (1) This is an outdoor experience involving physical exertion. There is usually no shade. Be prepared to be moving outdoors for approximately four hours. Depending on the citizen science goals for the day, you may be hiking, doing physical work, and/or recording observations about plants and animals. You may be using hand tools like clippers; lifting, carrying and lowering supplies; bending over, squatting and kneeling on dirt, grasses and weeds; and sweating. (2) Ages 12 and up who are comfortable with this kind of physical exertion are welcome—those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and must have a liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. (3) Tools are provided.

WHAT TO BRING: (1) A backpack with plenty of water and snacks. (2) Sturdy work gloves. (3) Eye protection (e.g., sunglasses). (4) Boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with tread for rough, steep, and slippery terrain. (5) Long, sturdy pants and layered clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. (6) Protection from the elements—sun (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), wind, fog, rain. (7) Optional: bug repellent, your favorite gardening tools, and binoculars to enjoy the birds!

March 2nd 2019 Birds Of Prey Hike

March 2 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $10

Solano Land Trust and Solano County Parks are proud to present the first Lynch Canyon birds of prey hike of the winter migration season. Lynch Canyon is home to golden eagles and hawks. It is also a magnet for migrating and over-wintering birds of prey.  It provides them with over 1,000 undeveloped acres where they can hunt and rest. Some feathered visitors come from as far away as the Arctic Circle. This hike will be between 4-6 miles. Meet in the parking lot.

COST: The guided hike is $10 per person. You can pay online when registering, or bring cash/check, payable to Solano Land Trust.

*NOTE: There is a separate parking fee of $6 at Lynch Canyon, cash or check, payable to Solano County Parks.

REGISTRATION: Space is limited. Pre-registration required.

We're Hiring!

Do you know of anyone who wants to be part of a winning team and help create a legacy in Solano County?

Solano Land Trust has three positions open: 

-Comprehensive Campaign Manager

-Seasonal Field Steward

-Manager of Land-People Connections.

Click here to check out the job description on our website.

Please help us spread the word!

BEST VIEWS IN SOLANO

Views can be inspiring and offer perspective on day-to-day hassles. Doesn’t it feel good to know that your support of Solano Land Trust helps people find inspiration?

Take a moment to imagine people of all ages and walks of life climbing trails, breathing deeply, and attaining that sweet spot of perspective.


Check out our list of  favorite views on Solano Land Trust properties:

Suisun Hill, Rush Ranch - The Suisun Hill Trail that starts on Grizzly Island Road opposite the driveway to Rush Ranch takes you to the top of Suisun Hill. The view looking south to Mount Diablo leads your eye across the ranch and the Suisun Marsh. One staff member says she’d love to hike Mount Diablo but doesn’t have to because Suisun Hill is in her own backyard, figuratively speaking. That makes her reflect on how grateful she is to be in nature within ten minutes. Be sure to keep an eye out for birds of prey when on Suisun Hill.

North Ridge Trail, Lynch Canyon - Climb to the top of the North Ridge Trail for rewarding views of the Napa River, North Bay wetlands, San Francisco Bay, Mount Tamalpais, and even the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. The trail is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and has picnic tables where you can sit and catch your inspiration while catching your breath.

Tower Trail, Lynch Canyon - It seems that everyone stops at the bench that overlooks the reservoir on the Tower Trail. And just as often they pull out a phone to take a picture of the reservoir below or the classic selfie. There’s something about this spot that people like, beyond the fact that it’s a good place to catch your breath. Look to the towers and see if you can spot a golden eagle.

Big hill overlook, King Ranch - If you have an opportunity to go on a docent-led hike at King Ranch, do it (first Saturday of most months). There are several views that are spectacular. Perhaps the most dramatic is from atop the windy mesa. From this perch, you really get a sense of the vastness of Suisun Marsh and realize how lucky we are that people have worked to protect it for over a century.

Harmonia Hill, Rockville Trails Preserve - From a rocky outcrop at the eastern edge of Harmonia Hill, you can look out over Suisun Valley and further on to Suisun and the Montezuma Hills. On a clear day, you can see forever - well, at least to the Sierras.

Hills at Eastern Swett - On a docent-led hike, you can climb the hills with no names for views that block out housing developments, roads, and cities. The signs of society are in the valleys and hidden from view, and all you see are hills for miles. In the springtime, it’s miles of emerald green, which is so good for the eyes.

Tell us what views you love and why.

Photos courtesy of (in order) Aleta George, Edwin Osada, Aleta George, Solano Land Trust, Nicole Braddock, and Solano Land Trust.

Fighting Fire With Fire

Using fire to manage grasslands

Fire has come to the forefront of our consciousness as Californians. In Solano County, fires directly threatened several communities in 2018, and we all spent months under the oppressive, surreal haze of poor air quality from large fires throughout the state. Reducing fire risk is a priority for all of us, and you may be asking yourselves, can we really fight fire with fire?

Historically, yes. Long before European settlement, indigenous Californians used fire as a tool to manage vegetation and improve habitat for the plants and animals they needed to survive. Light- to moderate-intensity fire can refresh an ecosystem, removing dead plants and releasing nutrients. Following light to moderate fires, it is common to see a flush of new growth, which can attract deer and other animals. Fire can also help control invasive grasses.

Controlled burns

Not all fires are created equal. Fire intensity refers to the energy produced by a fire, and severity refers to the damage left after the fire. Scientists agree that modern fires, with heavy fuel loads resulting from fire suppression policies, are burning more intensely and creating more severe burns with lasting ecosystem effects.


To reduce fuel loads, land managers practice methods such as removing woody material with machinery or using grazing and browsing animals. Another way that fuels can be reduced is through prescribed or controlled burns. Prescribed fire is a tool that is carefully planned and designed to meet management objectives.

Rush Ranch green

Solano Land Trust has a history of using fire as a management tool. If you have ever visited Rush Ranch, you may have witnessed controlled burns that have been part of a training program in partnership with the Montezuma Fire District.

In 2018, three unplanned fires affected Solano Land Trust properties (Rush Ranch, Lynch Canyon, and Paradise Valley). In each case, the fires began on the shoulder of public roads and were carried by the wind onto Solano Land Trust properties. Fortunately, all the fires were of low intensity and severity. You may notice how well vegetation is recovering from those fires. In some ways, these unplanned fires were a test of vegetation management. If fuel loads had been higher, the fires would have been more severe.

Your support of responsible land management practices, such as cattle grazing, ensures we can continue maintaining the resiliency of our lands.

By Jasmine Westbrook, project manager. Photos courtesy of Ken Poerner, Tim Malte, and Tom Muehleisen.