Nature Hike at King-Swett Ranches April 6th

April 6 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Come explore the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo. Solano Land Trust docents will guide you through this area, known as the King-Swett Ranches. They’ll share insights about the birds and other wildlife that call this area home, and give you a great workout! Take advantage of this special opportunity if you can because the King-Swett Ranches are otherwise closed.
You will meet the docent at the Park and Ride and then carpool to the trailhead from there.

REGISTRATION: RSVP Recommended

Please note! Registration opens approximately one month prior to the hike. Double check the date of the hike on the registration link.

WHAT TO BE PREPARED FOR: There is no drinking water at this property. There is usually no shade. A potentially strenuous pace hiking up to 6 miles up and down slippery, steep, and rugged hills that may be full of sticky seeds and thorny plants. Expect rough, rocky, uneven ground. Some travel may be off-trail. Sorry, no dogs allowed.

Meet at the Red Top Rd. Park-and-ride in Fairfield.

WHAT TO BRING: (1) A backpack with plenty of water and snacks.  (2) Boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes  (3) Long, sturdy pants and layered clothes (4) Protection from the elements
(5) Optional: bug repellent, your favorite gardening tools, and binoculars to enjoy the birds!

Note: Only really heavy rain may cancel.

Wildflower & Water Critters Walk Sunday March 31st

March 31 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Jepson Prairie Preserve is one of California’s best remaining examples of a vernal pool ecosystem and native grassland prairie. Dry and dormant most of the year, the prairie is transformed by winter rains into a tapestry of stunning colors, and its vernal pools host a rich diversity of rare aquatic life. Visitors can enjoy an easy guided walk which may include portions of the Preserve that are only accessible with a Jepson Prairie docent. Participants can learn about vernal pools and see the aquatic invertebrate and flowering plants that depend on them. Volunteer docents offer these two-hour tours every Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m., March 9 through May 12 (Mother’s Day).  For groups of 6 or more, RSVP to Kate Mawdsley at wfm-kfm@pacbell.net or   530-758-5093. A minimum $5 donation is encouraged to attend this tour.

2nd Annual Bikes and Brews 03/30/2019

March 30 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm $25

Join us on our 2nd annual docent-led mountain bike tour at this special property that is not yet open to the public. After the ride, you will enjoy appetizers and locally crafted beer. This ride is for skilled riders in good physical condition. Very limited space. Meeting location will be at the Ice House parking lot, on the corner of Rockville Rd. and Suisun Valley Rd. From there, we will carpool/caravan to the entrance of the property.  Locally crafted brew from True Symmetry Brewing Co.

REGISTRATION: Required

COST: $25

Kid’s Hike- Find Something Green 03.25.19

March 25 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Come join the next kids’ hike at Lynch Canyon Open Space Park, hosted by Solano Land Trust, for some fresh air, exercise, and fun! During this hike, participants will observe resident, migrating, and overwintering birds in the area. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot at 9:45 for a 10:00 departure. Free.  Pre- Registration Recommended ( for headcount).

First Day of Spring Hike 03/20/19

First Day of Spring Hike 03/20/19

March 20 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Enjoy the first hike of Spring with Solano Land Trust! Explore the hills between Suisun Valley and Green Valley, and see sweeping views of Solano County and beyond. Enjoying the vistas of Solano County and searching for wildflowers. Moderate to Strenuous, 4-6 miles, rain cancels, 9am-1pm.  Registration Recommended.

**Meet at the big red “Ice House” building on Rockville Road and Suisun Valley Rd.

Docent Contact: Cathy Christo

email: r-cchristo@sbcglobal.net

Phone: 707-745-1913

Animals Cannot Be Blue | Explorer

Sometimes nature plays tricks on us. Animals use color in remarkable ways to attract mates or disguise themselves.

Wildflower & Water Critters Walk March 17th 2019

March 17 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Recurring Event (See all)

Jepson Prairie Preserve is one of California’s best remaining examples of a vernal pool ecosystem and native grassland prairie. Dry and dormant most of the year, the prairie is transformed by winter rains into a tapestry of stunning colors, and its vernal pools host a rich diversity of rare aquatic life. Visitors can enjoy an easy guided walk which may include portions of the Preserve that are only accessible with a Jepson Prairie docent. Participants can learn about vernal pools and see the aquatic invertebrate and flowering plants that depend on them. Volunteer docents offer these two-hour tours every Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m., March 9 through May 12 (Mother’s Day).  For groups of 6 or more, RSVP to Kate Mawdsley at wfm-kfm@pacbell.net or   530-758-5093.

A minimum $5 donation is encouraged to attend this tour.

Get the Rush! at Rush Ranch March 16 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

On the third Saturday of every month, volunteers offer family-friendly activities at Rush Ranch. Timing and activities vary month to month. In April, you and your kids can experiment with science discovery labs, travel back in time by entering a traditional blacksmith shop, and take a guided walk alongside the tidal marsh. Weather permitting, you can also ride around the ranch on a horse-drawn wagon. Wheelchair users are encouraged to board the wagon and experience the ride; the wagons are specially-designed with a wheelchair lift. You can also explore exhibits and wander trails on your own. No pre-registration required.

Date: March 16

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Rush Ranch

3521 Grizzly Island Rd. 

Suisun City, CA 94585 United States

Yoga Hike at Rush Ranch March 16 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

This easy, family-friendly hike will start and end at the Rush Ranch picnic area. Barbara Fredericks will lead some warm-up stretches and a yoga session later on. Participants can enjoy the sun on their face and the wind in their hair while they do yoga. RSVP Recommended.   Meeting location: Picnic area at Rush Ranch. Free.

Date: March 16

Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Rush Ranch

3521 Grizzly Island Rd. 

Suisun City, CA 94585 United States

Solano Land Trust field trip

Solano Land Trust staff, Board members and very fortunate significant others enjoyed a really cool field trip. Hosted by Ian and Margaret Anderson of Bird’s Landing... we got to ride on their wheat harvesters and then had a delicious picnic dinner next to the Sacramento River.

SCIENCE AND DELIGHT AT JEPSON PRAIRIE

Jepson Prairie's unique ecosystem attracts scientists, including four fabulous women

Restoration ecologist Jaymee Marty remembers the day that she saw her first Delta green ground beetle, a rare, quarter-inch-long beetle found only in the Greater Jepson Prairie area.

"The only way to see them is to sit completely still for 20 or 30 minutes. If you move at all, they freeze and blend into the vegetation," she said of the elusive metallic-green beetle she eventually saw on the edge of Olcott Lake at Jepson Prairie.

Jaymee is one of the many scientists and researchers who have brought their curiosity and awe to Jepson Prairie Preserve over the years. Out of the scores of scientists and researchers who have contributed to the understanding and education of the prairie, there are four female scientists - Jaymee Marty, Virginia "Shorty" Boucher, Carol Witham, and Kate Mawdsley  -  who have done so for decades. Read On...