President’s Message ´

Executive Director’s ´Perspective

Farm-to-Table Series ´

Renewing ´Vernal Pools

New Board Member ´

Donor Profile ´

Raising Funds ´& Awareness

Thank you ´Supporters!

Activities & Events ´

Vol. 14 #2

Summer 2007

Lynch Canyon now open to the public!Aleta George, Editor

Through the years, Lynch Canyon has shared its bounty with Native Americans, early Californios, and generations of ranchers. Now Solano County residents and visitors can enjoy the bounties of Lynch Canyon thanks to Solano Land Trust, the Solano County board of supervisors, and Solano County Parks Department.

At the May 11 grand opening ceremonies, guests were greeted with fog swirling overhead and wind pulsing across grasses where cows grazed. About 200 people gathered for the ceremony in an open field where the Solano County honor guard and mounted Sheriff ’s posse started things off with an official air.

Emcee Bob Berman, SLT ’s board president, introduced the many public officials and agency representatives in attendance. Speakers included Solano County Board of Supervisors

Duane Kromm, Marilyn Farley, Lois Wolk, Bob Berman, and John Vasquez cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.Photo: Dee Swanhuyser

Barbara Kondylis and John Vasquez, Tri-City Board Chair Bill Whitney, Congressman Miller Representative Kathy Hoffman, and keynote speaker, Assemblywoman Lois Wolk.

“Lands like Lynch Canyon revitalize and nourish our souls, raise property values, and attract tourism and businesses. They are a good investment and provide a high quality of life,” said Wolk.

Neil Havlik, SLT ’s first executive director, was on hand to recall the early stages

Continued on page 2

2

President’s MessageBob Berman, President

Continued from page 1

In March 2007, I attended

the 3rd annual California

Council of Land Trusts

(CCLT) conference. The

CCLT acts as a unified

voice for more than 150

lands trusts in California.

A focus of the

conference was the

implementation of

Proposition 84, a $5.4 billion general obligation bond

approved by voters in 2006 to protect California’s

natural resources. Land trusts are excited about using

these funds to protect resources in their communities.

For example, $450 million is to be directed toward

wildlife and forest conservation projects. This includes

monies for the California Farmland Conservancy

Program, an organization that SLT has worked with to

fund a number of conservation easements. If you are

aware of any Solano County conservation projects that

could directly benefit from Proposition 84 funding,

please call SLT or discuss it with a board member.

The issue of how growth and development impact

global climate change was a topic of much interest.

One area of concern is pending sea level rise and

associated flooding of low-lying areas. The 2006

California Climate Action Team Report projects that

mean sea level will rise between 12 and 36 inches

by the year 2100. Certainly many areas of Suisun

Marsh could be dramatically affected, with major

consequences for wildlife and their habitats in all

regions of Solano County.

The conference also featured success stories of

land trusts. One story highlighted the protection of

the 1,800-acre Homer Ranch west of Sequoia and

Kings Canyon National Parks. Richard Homer wanted

to preserve the traditional way of life that his great,

great grandparents helped to establish in the late

1800s. Working with the Sequoia Riverlands Trust,

this land is now permanently protected. We in Solano

County have several such success stories and SLT is

eager to continue our work with Solano landowners to

protect our precious land.

Lynch Canyon

of property negotiations that began in the 1980s, but the acquisition wasn’t completed until 1996.

“This property was bought primarily with public funds, but it took ten years to get it open,” said Berman, who has been with Solano Land Trust since its founding. “It brings us closer to our goals, but the county desperately needs a county-wide open space system.”

Over the grand opening weekend, about 500 people visited the property, with hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers exploring the trails.

Greeting all was Solano Land Trusts’s new volunteer coordinator Teri Engbring, whose position is paid for largely by Solano County with contributions from the Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District, Fairfield Suisun Sewer District and the City of Benicia. She is recruiting, training and coordinating new volunteers for Lynch and other Solano Land Trust properties. She comes to SLT after working for seven years in a similar position at the Yolo Basin Foundation.

Engbring will be working closely with Dan Sykes, Solano County’s new parks services manager. Sykes, who came to Solano from the East Bay Regional Park District, says, “Solano County has some beautiful open spaces. I’m excited to be part of the County’s efforts to provide a way for the public to enjoy and appreciate the land in Lynch Canyon.”

is open Wednesday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to posted

closing time. Closed Monday and Tuesday. As a Solano

County Park, there is a $5 per day, per vehicle parking

fee, to increase to $6 on July 1. Annual parking fees

are also available through County Parks at (707) 784-

7905. For directions and to download a trail map (also

available at the ranch), go to www.solanolandtrust.org.

Lynch Canyon

Marilyn Farley, Executive Director

3

Executive Director’s Perspective

Conserving open space and farmland is good for business. Studies consistently show that businesses, homeowners and tourists all desire proximity to parks, trails, farmlands and open space.

Solano Land Trust is working on a brochure outlining how open space and farmland contribute to economic vitality in Solano County. The key points made in the brochure are summarized here with my thanks to Susan

Wilkinson who is largely responsible for the content.

In the context of open space, that seemingly intangible thing we call “quality of life” provides economic benefits that can be defined and measured. There are at least seven significant ways that open space and agricultural enterprises contribute to quality of life.

Open space helps cities and counties attract investment, boosts tourism, and enhances property values. Natural areas provide environmental and public safety benefits. Parks and working farms provide educational opportunities for children. Agriculture is an important part of our economy.

Companies want to locate where employees want to live, and employees are attracted to areas with quality-of-life amenities. Communities across the country are placing renewed emphasis on their parks, rivers, and farmlands, and considering them assets, not costs.

Travel and tourism is an annual $55.2 billion industry in California. The demand for land that provides recreational opportunities is increasing, and SLT properties help attract tourism dollars.

Open space and recreational opportunities enhance property values. For example, studies show that people pay more for homes near open space.

Protected land provides vital ecosystem services to our communities. Trees absorb greenhouse gasses. Unpaved land allows rainfall

to enter the water table for storage. Natural vegetation on hillsides keeps sediment out of the rivers and creeks and provides erosion control.

Cattle grazing on all SLT lands helps maintain plant and animal diversity and aids in the reduction of dry, flammable vegetation.

Open space provides educational opportunities for children, which in turn helps them to become knowledgeable and productive members of our community.

Agriculture is a central part of Solano County’s heritage, and its future. Sixty-two percent of our land is used for agriculture, contributing $1.3 billion annually to the county’s economy. In Solano County, agriculture and Travis Air Force Base are the two leading revenue producers.

Solano Land Trust is raising money for endowments to care for our properties in perpetuity and ensure our financial stability for the long term. We are partnering with individuals, foundations, the business community and local, state and federal government agencies to accomplish our goals.

We are committed to maintaining and strengthening these partnerships as we know they are critical to the long-term success of our business – and to the quality of life for all in Solano County.

Check out Solano Land Trust’s new and improved web site!

www.solanolandtrust.org

Suisun Valley is a high-

priority area in Solano

Land Trust’s strategic

plan for conservation

easements. Easements

infuse capital into

farming operations and

make farmland more

affordable. Community

members who would like

to help shape the future

of the Suisun Valley can

participate in a series of

workshops this summer

as part of the County

General Plan update

program.

www.solanocountygeneralplan.net/SPA-SuisunValley.htm

Farm-to-table: How products from local farms and ranches get to the tableThird in a series Wendy Low, Land Transaction Specialist

Solano Land Trust holds conservation easements on many types of Solano County farms and ranches. This article is the third in a series showcasing the owners of these properties and informing readers where they can purchase the products.

Tucked back in Gordon Valley, on the northeastern edge of Suisun Valley, Linda and Steve Tenbrink farm 52 acres of walnut and fruit orchards and heirloom tomatoes. Solano Land Trust’s very first conservation easement made it possible for them to buy land they had been leasing because the easement brought the price down to agricultural values.

Local leaders in the farm community (Linda is past-president of the Solano County Farm Bureau and a member of Slow Food USA, and Steve is on the board of directors of the Suisun Valley Wine Grape Growers Association), they have been trailblazers in the marketing of local fresh produce. They take advantage of conventional distribution systems, but also grow heirloom tomatoes specifically for the tomato festival in Fairfield, and for Slow Food heirloom tomato days in Napa and Vacaville.

“Hitting the target dates means that we have to plant lots more tomatoes than they can use,” says Linda. This spring, they planted a stunning 138 varieties of tomatoes, including several of Linda’s favorites such as Black Krim, Cherokee Purple,

Dixie Golden Giant, and Green Zebra.They also sell their high-quality fruit and

heirloom tomatoes directly to restaurants, including Valley Cafe, Rockville Inn, La Barista, and Vintage Caffe in Suisun Valley, and the world-famous French Laundry in Yountville.

Both Tenbrinks have roots in farming. When Steve was young he dreamed of buying a farm once he retired, but he didn’t have to wait that long. When a small property in Suisun Valley came up for sale, the young couple decided to give farming a try. They sold their produce under a tree by the road until buying the Pioneer Fruit Stand in 1984.

While running the stand, Magnus “Ben” Bennedsen approached them about leasing ten acres on Gordon Valley Road. They accepted and planted dozens of varieties of nectarines, peaches, pluots and apricots. After the death of Ben’s wife, Jean, he donated a 52-acre conservation easement to Solano Land Trust. He asked the Tenbrinks if they were interested in buying the 52-acre property, and the conservation easement helped to bring the farm within reach.

After selling the fruit stand in 1996, the Tenbrinks began selling their produce at farmers’ markets. They planted wine grapes, are building their own wine processing facility, and will participate in the Suisun Valley Wine Cooperative’s new tasting room opening soon at 4491 Suisun Valley Road, right next to their former fruit stand.

Linda is planning to become part of a CSA (consumer supported agriculture, in which individuals subscribe to a weekly delivery of produce). The Common Greens Farmers’ Market in Napa is currently forming a CSA that would feature produce from an entire market rather than a specific farm.

If you want to try some of the produce grown by the Tenbrinks at the Bennedsen easement, head out to Suisun Valley this summer for the 2nd Annual Suisun Valley Fun Family Farm Days. And don’t forget the Tomato Festival this August!

Photo: City of Fairfield

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Fairfield 16th Annual Tomato Festival & West Coast Barbeque Championship, Sat., Aug. 18th, 2007 www.fairfielddowntown.com/3events/tomato/tomatofest.html

2nd Annual Suisun Valley Fun Family Farm DaysSun., Aug. 26, Sep. 23, Oct. 21, 2007

www.suisunvalley.com

SLT holds easement on vernal pool mitigation bank

Rob Goldstein, Land Transaction Specialist

5

In eastern Solano County, Solano Land Trust recently assisted a private company working to preserve and restore over 600 acres of a disappearing landscape, vernal pool grasslands.

Once widespread throughout California’s Central Valley, development has converted most vernal pool grasslands to housing. Wildlands, Inc. protected the 600-acre property by placing it under a conservation easement held by SLT. This is good news for the Delta green ground beetle, Conservancy fairy shrimp, and dozens of other threatened or endangered species that call vernal pool grasslands home. Vernal pools form when hard, clay soils don’t allow water to drain during the rainy season. When the pools evaporate in the spring, they become blanketed with a dazzling display of wildflowers. Many of the plants and wildlife found in vernal pool grasslands are specifically adapted to the harsh conditions of the pools, and are not found anywhere else. The Wildlands property is near SLT’s Jepson Prairie Preserve, which attracts many visitors in the spring.

Wildlands, Inc. is one of a handful of businesses operating in the Jepson Prairie region that are trying to earn a profit by conserving natural resources. By protecting and restoring land ahead of time, companies like Wildlands can later sell credits to developers who need to satisfy their permitting requirements. This type of business is called a mitigation bank. At Wildland’s North Suisun Mitigation Bank, the company has created vernal pools by restoring portions of the property once leveled for agriculture. The permitting agencies, such as US Fish and Wildlife Service, require that organizations like SLT hold conservation easements on the banks. By holding an easement on the North Suisun Mitigation Bank, SLT is ensuring that the property will remain in its natural and restored state forever.

SLT welcomes new board member Jon Monson

Jon Monson, Solano Land Trust’s newest board member, grew up in Hemet, California. Whenever he visits his hometown, he’s disturbed that there’s so little open space left. “It is very sad to see that beautiful valley become wall to wall houses,” he says. “The air pollution and traffic are staggering.”

“That’s one of the reasons that I’m so passionate about preserving open space in Solano County,” says Monson. “I have seen poor land-use planning all over the country. We still have open space, and I want to help preserve that for future generations.”

Monson, who is chief executive officer of MV Transportation, Inc., has lived primarily in Solano County since early 1980. When transferred to Los Angeles in 1990, he took another job so that he could move back. He loves the hills, the varied climates, and the interface of agricultural landscapes with the more urban areas.

Monson has spent 30 years in public transportation management, and is an acknowledged expert in transportation designed for people with mobility issues. Since he joined MV, the company has increased revenues from less than $25 million to over $500 million, growing the company from a small firm to a national presence that employs over 10,000 transit professionals.

Monson likes to stay active in his community, and as his term as president with the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce has ended, he is excited to be working with Solano Land Trust. “As a nonprofit, Solano Land Trust is doing what people expect it to do: protect our open spaces.”

6

Open space enthusiast bequests $50,000 to Rush Ranch endowment Michael Muir, Director, Access Adventure

When Gordon Valley resident Ruth Benton added Solano Land Trust to her living trust, she revealed something about herself: She loves beautiful places and she follows her heart’s desires. After Access Adventure’s Michael Muir interviewed Ruth for this profile, he learned that these same qualities have been a thread throughout her eventful life.

Ruth Benton was born in Montana on July 4, 1922. The doctor rode his horse ten miles to deliver Ruth into the world. At six years old her mother died, leaving five children behind. Raised by her grandparents in Chicago, Ruth came to California at age 19.

A fiercely independent woman, Ruth has made her own way in the world. During World War II, she worked as a real-live Rosie-the-Riveter welder in the Oakland and Richmond shipyards. Earning $200 a month, she marveled at the great pay, which was a substantial boost over her typical clerical wages. She saved enough to purchase a lot in the Berkeley Hills. Her uncle pronounced the property “unbuildable,” but Ruth built anyway.

She also designed and developed a beautiful small ranch in the hills overlooking Carmel. In 1992, she moved to the Big Island of Hawaii after retiring from a career as a court reporter,

where she built a spectacular home overlooking the Pacific.In 2005, after moving to the Gordon Valley, she broke her hip and shoulder. During her convalescence,

Ruth was introduced to a unique program hosted by Solano Land Trust, Access Adventure. Using wheelchair-accessible, horse-drawn carriages, Access Adventure provides open space access and recreation and training opportunities for people with mobility challenges.

Ruth was one of Access Adventure’s first participants. Demonstrating her indomitable spirit, she rode in her wheelchair behind a horse through the open space grandeur of Rush Ranch. Ruth says, “When Michael asked me to consider supporting the Rush Ranch endowment to maintain this beautiful, historic property for all time, I realized what a simple thing it would be to amend my living trust.”

Please consider a gift

of your own to Solano

Land Trust. To leave

a lasting legacy for

future generations of

nature lovers, contact

Development Director

Susan Wilkinson at

(707) 432-0150 × 205.

Ruth Benton and Michael Muir at Rush RanchPhoto: Johnnie Burrell

New development director raises funds and awareness Susan Wilkinson joined Solano Land Trust in November 2006 as our first development director. Her job is to raise money for the SLT, including individual, corporate and foundation donations and legacy gifts.

Susan’s marketing and communications background has been of great value in several of our fundraising initiatives, including SLT’s first-ever advertising campaign that ran in local newspapers in the spring. Check out the ads on our new web site.

Our current fundraising campaign is to create a $2 million endowment for Rush Ranch. We’re nearing the end of raising $200,000 to match a challenge from an anonymous donor towards the larger goal. If you haven’t contributed yet, a gift from you before June 30 will be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis. See our web site for the latest total. As part of this $2 million campaign, we are also selling bricks that will be part of the courtyard at our new nature center at Rush Ranch. For $100 to $500, you can personalize a brick! Brick order and donation forms are on our web site.

The next challenge is our Rush Ranch Heritage Feast, to be held September 29. (Save the date now!) The event will include a heritage dinner featuring locally grown foods, no-host bar, silent auction, horse-drawn carriage rides, entertainment, and an old-fashioned ranch dance. For volunteer opportunities contact Teri Engbring at (707) 432-0150 x200 or teri@solanolandtrust.org.

DonorsRoland AdickesBurt AndersonJohn & Ursula AndersonMarv Anderson, California Bail Bonds Frank AndrewsSusan AnichSharon BakerIan & Lisa BaldwinJack & Leslie BatsonBay Area Barns & TrailsJim BartzCarolyn & Richard BeahrsMagnus BennedsenBob & Carol BermanRichard & Elizabeth BertreauxDale & Betsy BlackwellKatherine BlumeBoy Scouts of America,

Mt. Diablo SilveradoEugene & Debra BoyceAnn & Eugene BreznockJohn BriscoeJill ButlerRosalie CapeRandall & Suzanne CarlsonThomas Casselberry, DVMDavid & Joanne CastroCement Masons Local 400Louis ChiofaloBruce & Marian ChmieleskiRichard & Catherine ChristoWilliam & Elizabeth CilkerRichard Collins,

California Vegetable SpecialtiesJoseph ConnollyConservation PartnersLarry & Patricia CoonsJames Cotant & Franklin HernandezAnn CousineauWilliam & Marjory CraigJames & Laura DekloeHedi DesuyoKen & Carol DexterRobert DickoverD.M. & Kathleen DixonJean & William DolterSarah DonovanRoberta DuboisElizabeth DyerRobert & Margaret EldredMary EldredgeElectrical Workers Local Union 180Rita EmeryTeresa & John EngbringHarry Englebright & Evelyn SomjenStephen & Shirley EnserErickson EngineeringMike & Deborah FaaborgMartin FalarskyMarilyn Farley & Duane KrommDavid FeinsteinSusan FeinsteinHarvey FeltStacey FletcherSteve Flitcroft & Catherine BotsfordThomas & Eva Fong FoundationJohn FosterFriends of Armijo, FFA Edward FryTroy GarotMaureen GeigerDavid & Aleta GeorgeRichard GibsonRobert GillR.C. Gill & SonMichael & Susan GjerdePhillip GlashoffValerie Ann GlassCecil Gomez Memorial FundGlen GrantNancy GronertPauline GusaBurrows HamiltonNeil & Ann HamiltonNeil & Elaine HamiltonNeil & Janet HamiltonRichard HamiltonRoss HannaStephen & Rowena Harris

Thanks to all our recent contributors

Neil & Ann HavlikSteven Hayashi & Lillian Fujii Michael HayesBarry & Ellen HechtDaniel & Valeri HicksJane HicksNancy HiestandJoy HoffmanKatherine HoffmanGlen HolsteinHome DepotHudson Business NetworkEldridge HomesIBEW Local 180Inland Empire

Resource Conservation DistrictJelly Belly Candy CompanyT.H.D. & Jeanie JonesM.J. & J.L. JoyeJoyce KaumeyerPeter KeatHarold & Esther KersterCharlotte KimballErnest KimmeFay KingLucille King & Gregory KruckewittMichele KittsDoris KleinElizabeth & James KnightTheodore KoldaJaime KooserMary KoskiGrant KreinbergMargaret KristofCarol La RussaRay & Nancy Lagomarsino R.P. LambertLandPeopleBlaine & Dorothy LaneyCarol La RussaA.J. LazzeriniF.T. LedigJames & Kitt LeeMarilea LinneRobin LeongClarence LewisIrma LibertyPaul LigdaC.E. LillivangJames & Marjorie LitsingerJohn LongM. Clyde LowWendy Low & Glenn KeyserDavid LydickMad About Travel II Billie MangoldThe Marable familyDavid & Kathleen MariannoEstate of Dennis McAlisterWilliam McCoyMargaret McGloneLeonard McKindseyJean McMullinCraig McNamara, Sierra OrchardsMechanical Contractors

Association of Northern CaliforniaDr. Roger MendelsonA. MiccoJon & Karen MonsonGordon & Betty Moore Foundation Robert & Pat MoranHeath MuskatKai MuskatTallin MuskatThe Muskat familyMV TransportationNapa Wood StovesClifford & Cheryl NelsonMoira NicholsNichols-Berman Environmental

PlanningJohn & Emily NogueNorthern California Carpenters

Regional CouncilNorthern California Mechanical

Contractors AssociationMary Ann NortierMaria NunesCathy O’ConnorVernon & Wallis O’ConnorDaniel & Sannie Osborn

Carole & Craig PatersonJoel PerlsteinAnn PetersenSteven & Gretchen PetersonT.A. & R.A. PhillipsJanet PineJune Rohwer PistorPlumbers and Steamfitters Local 343Alan & Alice PlutchokKen PoernerSean & Jan QuinnJohn & Dawn RammRenewable Technologies, Inc.Timothy RidoshNorman & Ann RootRotary Club of CordeliaEmily RuedShuny SagaraMarc & Heath SchenkerElna SchonholtzRob Schonholtz Memorial FundHoward Shaffer & Louise WhitakerSheet Metal Workers’

International AssociationSheldon Gas Co.Sheldon Oil Co.Karen SheldonScott Sheldon, Premier CommercialIgor SkaredoffSierra Club, Solano ChapterJoseph SinclairWilliam & Jane SlawsonMichael StoverPeter StraubBarry & Cathleen SugarmanSummit Properties Stuart & Katherine SwabackerJohn & Catherine SwanSwinerton FoundationJaan & Leann TaageperaJohn & Mary TakeuchiRichard Taylor & Tracy GrubbsSharon TaylorTDC GroupBeeson Terhorst LLPThe Terhorst familyU.A. Local 343 Labor ManagementUBCJA Carpenters Local 180United Labor BankUtility/Landscape Local 355 J.L.MValero Benicia RefineryElizabeth VarnhagenLinda VestWilliam Wallace TrustNeil & Wanda WallaceD.B. & J.M. WarnerMargo WatsonDonald & Dorothy WhitteakerJerry & Sue WickhamSteve Will, Union AsphaltNicholas Van Male & Susan WilkinsonUzelle WilliamsWayne & Susan WilliamsCharles & Hope WingertRichard Wood & Mary BourguignonElwood & Elsa YoumanRalph ZackheimTim & Gabel Zumwalt

VolunteersC.J. AddingtonVera AitemanMehrdad AmirDan AndersonLars AndersonCindy ApakaGary ArcherArmijo Key ClubLiz AyresPhil BabinErin BeaversTim BaileyTim BaskervilleLisa BellTim BigleyKathy BlumeRandie and Robert BoardmanJane BognerAnn BreznockKatrina BrinckmanKenn BrowneSuzanne Bruce

Randy BullardJohnnie BurrellHamilton BurrowsMarime BurtonJim CarrMike CasaglioJoanne CastroJay ChamberlinTed ChampagneRobert Chapla Terry & Carol ChappellTerry ColbornBarbara ComfortCarole ConwayPatricia CooperSusan CotterelNancy CoulsonMickey CrawleySarah DaviesJeff DittmerJean DolterJim DunnMike & Pat EliotMalcolm EvettMart FalarskiMary Lou FazelCharles FordJoe FosterChris FrielDave & Aleta GeorgeRusty GrayRuss GrindleMeg GrowChristine GruhnDoug HamptonDave HansonPhil HarrisPaul HartSusan HassettScott HewettJane HicksKathy HoffmanBill HoneycuttRussell HuddlestonBing HueyCheryl HurdPeter JacobsenBill JohnsonSpencer JohnsonChristine KenastonEsther KersterDeena KirbyDoris KleinNancie LagomarsinoEdla LarsonMonique LiguoriSascha LinCliff LindgrenJim LitsingerLittle BearJennifer LorenzoDennis MaddoxJanet ManaloMarilyn ManfrediRebecca MannionMort MarshDebbie, Bradford,

Brianne & Melissa MartinJeff MaurerKate MawdsleySam McGeeMary McGuireGerry MenutJoel MooneyPat MoranMarsha MorrisMichael MuirAndrea MummertKirsti, Heath, Kai & Tallin MuskatEric MutherPam NelsonMoira NeutermanGrant OrnbaunJames OsbornCathy and Michael O’SheaPratt FamilyAnn ParkinsonBrooks PeddarSandy PersonNeida PetersonKristi Phillips

Tony PhillipsDave ReeseMarianne & Dan ReinmuthMary Ann RichRod (Slow) RiesJeannette RobertsonChrystal & Avalon RodriguezBonnie RossLeslie RussoHarry SandovalMike SavinoDotty SchenkMary SchiedtBryana SchroderTom SeitzVirgil & Pat SellersLisa SerafiniMike SetoMary ShawSherry SheehanScott SheldonDan SilviaDan SimpsonSteve SitumRich SperoniSteve SpitlerJames SteinertDeborah & William StewartDerek & Sandra StubbsEarl SwenertonJohn & Mary TakeuchiDon TayntonNathan TerhorstRobbin ThorpMika and Dan TolsonBart VaioLiz VasquezTony VasquezAmber VierlingSusanne WakefieldGenevieve WaldenJohn WalkerJim WalshDave WarnerMargo WatsonTim and Roxanne WellmanRoss WickhamDave WiskersonRollye WiskersonChris WhiteEd WhittenburgRon WilliamsCarol WithamGary WyattBrian YumaeDarrell ZaballosCelia Zavatsky Mike Zeiss

FundersBay Area Ridge Trail CouncilCALFED Ecosystem Restoration

ProgramCalifornia Bay Delta AuthorityCalifornia Coastal ConservancyCalifornia Department of

Conservation, California Farmland Conservancy Program

California Department of Fish & GameCity of BeniciaCity of FairfieldCounty of SolanoFairfield Suisun Sewer DistrictGordon & Betty Moore FoundationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration & the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

PG&ESan Francisco Bay Estuary ProjectSolano CountySolano County Water AgencyTri-City & County Cooperative

Planning GroupU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceVallejo Sanitation

& Flood Control DistrictWildlife Conservation Board

We want to thank all those who have recently contributed to help us preserve, manage, and educate the public about agricultural lands, wetlands, and open space in Solano County.

7

Jepson Prairie ReserveTake a self-guided tour in the “Docent Triangle” any day of the week during daylight hours. Docent-led wildflower tours will resume next spring. For more information contact SLT (707) 432-0150 ×203 or ben@solanolandtrust.org.

King and Swett RanchesThe newly acquired King and Swett Ranches are part of the Sky Valley Cordelia Hills Open Space and are currently open to the public during staff or docent led activities only.

Scenic HikesSaturdays, Jul. 7, Aug. 4, Sep. 1. 9 a.m. - FreeExplore Solano County’s largest protected open space on a docent-led hike. Long pants, water, snacks and good boots are recommended. Meet at the Park-and-Ride lot at the Hiddenbrooke Parkway/American Canyon Road exit at I-80. For more information contact Sue Wickham at (707) 432-0150 ×207 or sue@solanolandtrust.org.

Lynch Canyon Open SpaceLynch Canyon is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to posted closing time. Trail maps are available at the Lynch parking lot kiosk. As a Solano County Park, there is a $5 per-day ($6 starting July 1), per-vehicle parking fee. Annual parking fees are also available by calling (707) 784-7905 for details.

Scenic HikesFourth Saturday of the month:Jun. 23, Jul. 28, Aug. 25. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - FreeJoin Dave Warner for one of his popular Lynch Canyon hikes. No potable water on site, so bring your own. For information contact Teri Engbring at (707) 432-0150 ×200 or teri@solanolandtrust.org.

Join us for a scrumptious heritage dinner featuring locally-grown foods, silent auction, horse-drawn carriage rides, and ranch dance. More information soon at www.solanolandtrust.org!

Volunteer Trail Care DaysSecond Saturday of the month:Jul. 14, Aug. 11, Sep. 8. 9 a.m. – FreeSnacks and parking waiver available for volunteers. Great team building and service learning opportunity. For information contact Teri Engbring at (707) 432-0150 ×200 or teri@solanolandtrust.org.

Rush Ranch Open SpaceRush Ranch is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Suisun Hill Trail (across the road from Rush Ranch) is open seven days a week, dawn to dusk. For additional information visit www.rushranch.org.

Night Photography WorkshopMonday, Sep. 24. 3 p.m. until latePre-registration required - $100Professional photographer and teacher Tim Baskerville will lead another of his popular night photography workshops under a harvest moon. Contact Tim at (707) 645-9860 or basket@thenocturnes.com.

Access Adventure: Challenging the Limits of DisabilityMichael Muir leads a recreational horse-drawn carriage program for people with disabilities (open to wheelchair users or anyone with mobility challenges). For more information go to www.access-adventure.org, or contact Mike at info@access-adventure.org or (707) 432-0150 ×204.

Volunteer WorkdaysFirst Saturday of the month:Jul. 7, Aug. 4, Sep. 1. 9 a.m. - FreeGet some fresh air while helping with ranch and trail maintenance. No experience or tools necessary. Lunch is provided for participants. For information call Ken Poerner at (707) 580-6277.

Blacksmith Shop DemonstrationsThird Saturday of the month (except July):Aug. 18, Sep. 15. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - FreeWatch or participate in the art of blacksmithing with local blacksmiths. No reservations necessary.

Rush Ranch Heritage Feast September 29, 2007

8 Preserving Farmlands and OPen sPace thrOughOut sOlanO cOunty

Solano Land Trust1001 Texas Street, Suite CFairfield, CA 94533(707) 432-0150

Non–Profit OrganizationUS Postage

Paid Fairfield, CA 94533

Permit # 00234

BOard memBersBob Berman,

PresidentIan Anderson,

Vice PresidentJane Hicks,

SecretaryFrank Morris,

TreasurerSean Quinn,

Immediate Past Pres.Frank J. Andrews, Jr.Darrin BerardiJeff Dittmer John IsaacsonRussell LesterJon MonsonJohn M. Vasquez

staFFMarilyn Farley,

Executive DirectorTerry Chappell,

Field StewardTeri Engbring,

Volunteer CoordinatorRob Goldstein,

Land Transaction SpecialistWendy Low,

Land Transaction SpecialistKirsti Muskat, BookkeeperCathy O’Connor,

Finance OfficerKen Poerner, Land StewardBen Wallace, Conservation

Project ManagerSue Wickham,

Project CoordinatorSusan Wilkinson,

Development Director

Aleta George, Editor, SLT Vistas

Logo design based on original art by Don Birrell

Save the date!