Big Day Of Giving May 2nd 2019

Thursday, May 2nd

Big Day of Giving

24-hours to Give Big

Giving Local Makes a Difference

Please help us protect land and share natural parks with people in our beautiful home. Together, we can preserve Solano County's unique heritage, and provide inclusive access to nature for all to enjoy.

It feels good to be part of a cause greater than ourselves. Please participate in this 24-hour campaign to help us protect land and serve our community!

Nature Hike at King-Swett Ranches May 4th 2019

May 4th @ 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.

Rush Ranch Open House Saturday April 27th 2019

Join Us On Saturday, April 27, 2019, From 10:00am to 3:00pm!

Together Solano Land Trust and the Rush Ranch Educational Council have been sharing Rush Ranch with the community ever since. Come celebrate with us!

Entry is free! Any dollars you spend on lunch, raffle tickets, or arts and crafts will benefit the Rush Ranch Educational Council, an all-volunteer organization that provides fun and educational programs for the ranch.

Click here to download the flyer.

Rush Ranch is at 3521 Grizzly Island Road, off Highway 12, two miles south of Suisun City. 

Click here for a map and directions. 

Solano Overnight Hike April 27 @ 8:00 am - April 28 @ 4:00 pm

April 27 @ 8:00 am - April 28 @ 4:00 pm $45

Join the Ridge Trail, Greenbelt Alliance, Solano Land Trust, and the Greater Vallejo Recreation District for the second Solano County hike and overnight! Participants will attend a 2-day supported hike from Newell Open Space Preserve to the Benicia State Recreation Area staying at McIntyre Ranch overnight on the journey south. The hike will feature panoramic views of San Francisco and Suisun Bay, a docent-led tour through the Vallejo-Swett Ranch, and the opportunity to socialize with other trail enthusiasts!

What you can expect:

Saturday, April 27

• Park your car at Benicia State Recreation Area handoff camping gear to be brought to McIntyre Ranch
• Get shuttled from BSRA to the start point at Newell Ranch
• Hike 12.5 miles to McIntyre Ranch
• Enjoy a catered dinner at McIntyre Ranch from Kinder’s BBQ

Sunday, April 28

• Wake up at McIntyre Ranch and enjoy a pancake breakfast
• Create your own sandwiches for lunch that you can pack with you
• Hike 7.2 miles to Benicia State Recreation Area where your camping gear will be delivered back

Please note: this hike is approximately 19.7 miles over 2 days walking across a variety of terrains like sidewalks and rocky trails. The hikes are rated as “moderate” but due to the length of them, the severity can increase.

For additional questions please email events@ridgetrail.org.

NEW MONTHLY HIKES

More opportunities to get out on the land

We want to help get you outside!

Solano Land Trust recently expanded the docent team with graduates from our docent-training program. With the added capacity, we will begin to host a docent-led hike every Saturday at one of our protected properties. Now you will have more opportunities for interpretive hikes on our lands!

You never know who will be inspired on the lands you’ve helped us conserve. Just ask docent Jim Hanser. Jim was never a nature enthusiast until after he retired from Kaiser Vacaville. When he joined one of the first docent-led hikes offered at Rockville Trails Preserve, he was hooked. “I thought it was a beautiful place, and now I have a new interest in oaks, lichen, and wildflowers,” said Jim.

He took his first docent training at Jepson Prairie Preserve and fell in love with the vernal pools, flowers, and creatures in Olcott Lake. Since then he has taken all the docent training that Solano Land Trust offers and is a docent for all the properties. “I can’t explain my newfound love for nature. Now I’m outside every day, at least for a few hours,” he said.

Here’s the schedule for the monthly hikes:

•  First Saturday at King-Swett Ranches: Docent James Walsh has been leading this stimulating hike for years. He and others will lead a strenuous hike on various trails, each of which offers views and hills that go on forever. Be ready to sweat at King-Swett!

•  Second Saturday at Rockville Trails Preserve: This property offers expansive views of Solano County, and plenty of majestic oak trees and lichen to admire.

•  Third Saturday at Rush Ranch: Docents include themed hikes as part of Get the Rush! Each hike will explore a different topic such as the history of the people who have lived at the ranch, or all the magical wonders of the Suisun Marsh.

•  Fourth Saturday at Lynch Canyon Open Space: This property offers views, a good workout, quiet serenity, and is known for its raptor sightings.

Thank you for protecting these lands that inspire our community and our wonderful docents. We will continue to offer specialty hikes and walks such as the Jepson Prairie tours every spring, the seasonal birds-of-prey outings, yoga on the land, and explorations designed for kids and their families.

Get outside on Saturdays to get to know our properties and share in the enthusiasm of all our docents.

Get more information about times and meeting places on our Activity Calendar.

Photos courtesy of Lynn Garrison, Dave Reider, Kathy Goding, and Solano Land Trust.

HELP YOUNG PEOPLE RUN

Opportunity to fund race scholarship for youth

There's nothing but good vibes at the Lynch Canyon Trail Run and Community Hike, which takes place this year on Saturday, June 1.

This year, you have an opportunity to help youth join in the fun of the run by contributing to the Lynch Canyon Trail Run Scholarship. Twenty percent of registrants have already chosen to help get young people out on the trail!

The Lynch Canyon Trail Run, deemed, “Solano County’s toughest trail run,” is enjoyed by first-timers, sponsored athletes, and repeat and new runners from 8 to 80 years old. Many participate for the physical and mental challenge, to overcome obstacles, or to get a mental reset in the beautiful natural setting. Thanks to your support, Lynch Canyon is open to the public and able to host this popular event, now in its 12th year. The community walk is free, and no advance registration is required.

Lynch Canyon Trail Run Scholarship

The new scholarship was inspired by Jim Dobyns, a home and hospital teacher for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. “Young people spend so much time in front of screens. It’s great to get them outside where they can feel the sunshine, breathe the air, and move around,” he said.

Jim ran a half-marathon at the Lynch Canyon Trail Run last year for the first time and appreciates the camaraderie. “Everyone is really supportive and it’s inspiring to be around that community,” he said. “Even if you’ve never done it before, just walk it and be part of it. There’s nothing more natural than fresh air and sunshine. It’s good for you.”

We are partnering with local nonprofits to reach youth, but if you know of an individual or organization that can benefit from the scholarship, send an email to race founder and organizer Chris Abess.

We hope you join us at this fun event! Whether you can come or not, please consider helping a young person participate who might not otherwise be able to go. When registering online for the half-marathon, 10K, or 5K you are given a chance to donate $25 (optional) to a scholarship. To support the sponsorship fund without running the race, please contact Michelle Dickey. You can also contact Michelle for sponsorship opportunities.

Event proceeds benefit Solano Land Trust. Thank you.

Photos by Tom Muehleisen and Daniel Smith.

Bird of Prey Hike with Northern Harrier Presentation by Dr. Shannon Skalos April 6th

April 6 @ 9:45 am - 1:00 pm

We are happy to announce an end of season event which will be held on April 6, 2019, at Rush Ranch.  Larry Broderick will lead a Bird of Prey Hike, followed by a presentation on the Northern Harrier, by Dr. Shanon Skalos from U.C. Davis. A chili and cornbread lunch will be provided.

Registration Recommended.

In lieu of the $10 fee, donations will be accepted for The Suisun Wildlife Center.

Some items on their wish list are:

Paper Goods

-paper towels

-xerox copy paper( 8 1/2 x 11)



Garbage bags

-large yard

-large kitchen

-compactor bags



Cleaning Supplies

-glass cleaner

-cobweb duster/ broom/ dustpan

-unscented laundry detergent

-bleach ( unscented),

Sheets, pillowcases, baby blankets ( especially flannel or fleece)

Food items

-Grapes and apples

– Unsalted Nuts in the shell ( walnuts, almonds, pecans)

– Eggs

– Meat ( including freezer burned or out-dated beef or chicken, no processed meat)

– Shrimp and seafood

– Birdseed

– Mouse Food

– Liquid Bird Vitamins/ Calcium Powder

Miscellaneous Items:

– Heating Pads

– Electric Fans

– Heavy Duty hoses/ nozzle

– Pet Carriers ( no cardboard unless new, please)

Gift cards from grocery stores, pet stores, gas stations, Walmart, Amazon, Costco, and Home Depot are welcome.

Cash donations welcome.