Fall 2007 Vistas Newsletter, Solano Land Trust

8/3/2019 Fall 2007 Vistas Newsletter, Solano Land Trust

1/8

Presidents Messa

Heritage Feast

Executive DirectoPerspective

Rush Ranch Histo

Farm-to-Table Se

Oaks at King-Swe

Volunteer ProleJim Walsh

Activities & Even

l. 14 #3

Fall2007

Rush Ranch Nature Center opens soon!Marilyn Farley, Executive Director

Continued on page 2

olar panels contribute the to the Centers off-the-grid energy needshoto: Ken Poerner

olano Land Trusts new Nature Center at Rush Ranch will soon be ready or use by the public! Pleasewatch our web site or an announcement o a grand opening. Attendees o the Heritage Feast on

eptember 29 will get a sneak preview!

Were currently working on the nal touches. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA) has approved an additional $457,000 grant (NOAA and the Coastal Conservancy each contributed

500,000 or the buildings construction), which includes $194,000 or remaining construction costs.

The balance o the grant will be used as ollows:

$210,000 or interpretive exhibits to educate the public about the marsh

$35,000 or courtyard landscaping

$17,500 or urnishing the Nature Center and visiting scientists quarters.


2/8

Presidents MessageBob Berman, President

Continued from page 1

Nature Center

Since our ormation

in 1986, Solano Land

Trust has permanently

protected 19,104 acres oSolano Countys natural

areas and armlands.

As we go about our

work, it is important to

recognize that SLT is part

o a growing land trust

movement in the United States.

The Land Trust Alliance (LTA), a national non-prot

organization, publishes a census every ve years o

lands protected by local and state land trusts. It isthe nations tabulation o land preserved through

private, voluntary land conservation. The latest

census ound that:

Total acres conserved by local, state, and national

land trusts increased 54 percent to 37 million acresbetween 2000 and 2005.

The pace o conservation by land trusts more than

tripled between successive ve-year periods.

The number o land trusts grew to 1,667, a 32

percent increase over ve years.

The west is the astest growing area or both acresconserved and new land trusts.

The highest number o land trusts is ound in

Caliornia.

Proessionalism o land trusts is increasing, withmost land trusts agreeing to more stringent rules

o conduct and securing larger annual budgets withstewardship endowments.

LTA also reported that ballot initiatives providing

new unding or conservation are becoming more

common. In 2006, $6.7 billion in public unds was

approved in 133 ballot initiatives across the country,

including Caliornia.

SLT is proud to be a part o this growing

movement, and we are dedicated to continuing our

work and spreading the word regarding the value

o protecting land. The LTA census conrms that

the public also understands the value o preserving

natural areas and armlands.

Heritage FeastJoin us or Solano Land Trusts Heritage Feast at Rush Ranch on Septemb

29 rom 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Wear western garb as you:

Ride a horse-drawn carriage along the Suisun Marsh.

Savor organic walnuts rom Dixon Ridge Farms.

Mingle with Benjamin Rush, Miz Cordelia, the sheri, the docto

the mountain man, the mayor and his wie, the school marm, ao course, the madam!

Select rom a rich variety o wine, art, trips, outings, and much mo

at live and silent auctions.

Dine on local meats and produce prepared by Benicia Yacht Cl

Che Manny Rodriguez.

Dance to the music o the Phirehouse Philharmonics.

There is still time to purchase your tickets by using the enclos

envelope, ordering online at www.solanolandtrust.org, or contacti

Development Director Susan Wilkinson at (707) 432-0150 x205 or susan

solanolandtrust.org.

Event sponsors include the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, T

Wiseman Company, MV Transportation, Conservation Partners, Sheld

Gas Company, and Katherine Homan.

The multi-purpose room, courtyard and enclosed patio will be availa

to nonprot and government agencies, businesses, and private part

(including weddings) later in 2007. The SLT board o directors is expec

to approve rules and a ee schedule at their September meeting. Nonprogovernment agencies and schools will be asked to make a minim

donation or use. The rates or other groups will be available at ww

solanolandtrust.org.

Scientists with the National Estuarine Research Reserve doing resea

at Rush Ranch will be the primary users o the scientists quarters. Oth

may reserve the two-bedroom, ully-urnished residence up to 30 day

advance. We expect to have it available in late 2007.

There is still time to buy a brick or theRush Ranch Nature Center courtyard!

Be included in the original courtyard construction phase

Leave a permanent legacy with a personal message

Support Solano Land Trust

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year. See our web

site or the order orm and send it in today!


3/8

Marilyn Farley, Executive Director

Executive Directors Perspective

Volunteers are critical to the success o Solano Land Trust, and I am continually

amazed at their high level o commitment. They truly make a dierence in

our community. For example:

Jepson Prairie docents organize and teach an annual training program

about vernal pools and lead spring wildfower tours. Theyve been doing it

since beore SLT existed! This year, the National Parks Service selected them

or a technical assistance grant, with NPS advisors helping them to develop a strategic plan and

improve visitor management.

Rush Ranch Educational Council docents have been educating visiting schoolchildren about Patwin

Native American culture since at least 1990. They also coordinate the annual Rush Ranch Days

and other events.

Access Adventure has attracted a horde o dedicated volunteers in the last two years. Led by Mike

Muir, the great grandson o John Muir, Access Adventure oers carriage rides to people with mobility

limitations. Volunteers also learn to care or the huge drat horses now residing at Rush Ranch.These partners are the tip o the iceberg. SLT has many other volunteers and volunteer opportunities.

This all, we plan to launch our own docent-training program. Teri Engbring, our new volunteer and

ducation coordinator, is developing a curriculum that will include general orientation, as well as more

n-depth training or people who want to lead work parties, outings, and wildlie tours. The schedule

will be posted later this all at www.solanolandtrust.org.

Can you help? Would you like to become a docent with the popular Jepson Prairie or Rush

Ranch programs? Do you have a skill or a passion that youd like to share? Contact Teri Engbring at

[email protected] or (707) 432-0150 x200 to explore your opportunities with SLT.

Volunteers ollow their hearts:

Retired Faireld reghter Doug Wirtz has amassed a beautiul photo

collection o the fora and auna at Jepson Prairie, and other SLT sites.

A local Latter-Day Saints church gathered about 150 volunteers at Rush

Ranch to paint the barn and ences, plant oak trees, and collect tules or

the Patwin school program.

Armijo High School student and Future Farmers o America (FFA) member

Sarah Doolittle jumped in to teach visiting international students aboutlivestock. We hope to work with her FFA chapter later this year to raise

animals at Rush Ranch.

Nineteen volunteers rom Vallejos First Baptist Church cleaned up two

miles o re damage on a Lynch Canyon trail.

Faireld resident Pat Moran has come in almost weekly or two years to

help maintain our donor database.

Long-time volunteer blacksmith Virgil Sellers is rebuilding our power

shed and has spent hundreds o hours restoring foorboards rom the old

ranch house or the Nature Center.

Docent and volunteer Jim Steinerteads a tour at Jepson Prairiehoto: Solano Land Trust


4/8

Honoring the past:The Rush family at Rush Ranch

Don Taynton, Board Member, Rush Ranch Educational Co

Don Taynton, Rush Ranch Educational Council (RREC) docent and board member, began researching the

family and their tenancy at the ranch for the Rush Ranch Handbook, an invaluable document prepared

published by RREC that covers the ranchs natural and cultural histories. Dons greatest source was Tom and Fred Jake Rush, great grandsons of Benjamin Rush, who sent him newspaper articles, documents,

personal memories.

You could say that Rush Ranch had its start when Hiram and Sarah Rush let Ind

and came to Caliornia by wagon train in 1849. In about 1860 the amily move

Suisun City, and in 1864 Hiram started purchasing the land in the Portrero Hills

became a part o Rush Ranch.

Hiram met an untimely death in 1869 when his buggy tipped over on a hill a

ranch. At the time o his death, Rush Ranch consisted o approximately 2,000 ac

all o which were east o the present Grizzly Island Road. Benjamin Rush was jus

but had already attended Heald Business College and was working as a bookkein San Francisco. In about 1874 Ben returned to the ranch to help his mother w

management, and together they continued purchasing land. By about 1888 they

acquired 5,100 contiguous acres that became known as Rush Ranch.

The ranch headquarters, which consisted o a substantial residence, barn,

other buildings, was about a mile east o the present Rush Ranch. Photograph

these buildings are on display in the Rush Ranch Kit House. In the late 1940s, t

dilapidated 80-year-old buildings were intentionally burned.

The amily raised cattle, sheep, horses and some crops. Under Bens infue

the ranchs operation was changed rom raising cattle and sheep or bee and mutton to that o ra

livestock or breeding. He became a scientic breeder concentrating on Durham/Shorthorn cross

cattle and more exotic breeds o sheep. He was also interested in breeding and raising harness ho

including speedy trotters that were sold or as much as $8,000. The present 2,070 acres o Rush Ra

then known as Tule Ranch, was used principally or raising his prize horses.

In 1876 Ben married Anna McKean rom Astoria, Oregon, and they had seven children. Ben develo

interests other than ranching. He was Solano County Sheri rom 1894 until 1899; served six yea

the rst president o the Solano County Agricultural Society; and, in 1906 was elected to the Calio

State Senate where he served or 24 years.

Probably about 1910, because o Bens other commitments, his son Richard took over the a

management o the ranch. Ben died in 1940, and under the terms o his will, banks managed a ne

established trust that sold all but the 2,070 acres o what is now Rush Ranch. Richard and two o

sisters lived on the remaining acreage, providing their livelihood until 1956.

According to Jake Rush, the ranch fourished or over 100 years. He said his amily practiced g

stewardship by rotating livestock in pastures to keep them rom overgrazing. This made much m

pasture available or the animals and enabled the stewards to run more livestock and increase t

prots without damaging the land and environment.

Solano Land Trust purchased Rush Ranch, its rst acquisition, in 1987.

The Rush Ranch Handbook contains a more detailed account o ranch and amily history

well as the environmental signicance o the Suisun Marsh. (You can purchase a copy or $1

the SLT oce.)

The dapperBenjamin Rush


5/8

Farm-to-table: How products from local farmsand ranches get to the tableFourth in a series: Putah Creek Ranch - McNamara Easement

Wendy Low, Land Transaction Specialist

olano Land Trust holds conservation easements on many types of Solano County farms and ranches. This

rticle is the fourth in a series showcasing the owners of these properties and informing readers where they canurchase the products.

Across a line o old olive trees along Putah Creek Road, the driveway leading onto Putah Creek

Ranch passes a vintage bungalow and a tail-water pond. The 324-acre ranch supports a mix o organic

walnut orchards and irrigated eld crops such as grape rootstock and tomatoes.

It is also the headquarters or Center or Land-Based Learning,

non-prot ounded by Craig McNamara (see Vistas, Summer

004). Landowners Craig and Julie McNamara placed an easement

n 283 acres o the 324-acre property, protecting the agricultural

nd creekside areas while excluding the corner where the Center is

ocated, to allow or its uture expansion and separate ownership.As we looked at our piece o land, we realized that while we

ould probably sell several estate properties or a million dollars

ach, it was important to keep it in agricultural production, as well

s having the educational program. said McNamara.

Craig McNamara came to arming rom a very unusual

ackground. The son o ormer Secretary o Deense Robert

McNamara, Craig came o age during the national crisis o the

Vietnam War, made intensely personal by his athers leadership

ole. He let Stanord to travel throughout Latin America, where the

ramatic relationship between land, agriculture and political power

nspired him to pursue a career in agriculture and bring produce

o U.S. inner cities. He returned to school, studying plant and soil science at UC Davis. Ater searching

or arm ground across the country, he came back to the Davis area to settle in the prime soils near

Winters, where he got his start selling his ruits and vegetables at a arm stand. In 1980 he and Julie

ought the walnut arm where they still live, and in 1986 purchased nearby Putah Creek Ranch.

Craig ounded the Center or Land-Based Learning in 1993. Under the FARMS Leadership and SLEWS

rograms, the Center hosts a variety o tours, workshops and educational eld days or students related

o sustainable agriculture, natural resource conservation, and ecological restoration.

In 2003, students rom Grant High School who had participated in the FARMS Leadership program

egan selling their own salsa and marinara sauce at Davis and Sacramento ood co-ops. At rst, the

tudents contracted out or the ingredients and preparation. The next year, the students got directly

nvolved in the arm-to-table process, growing their own herbs and assisting in planting and harvesting

heir own tomatoes. Campbell Soup Company processed the tomatoes in Dixon, and Sonoma Gourmet

ottled the sauces according to the students own recipes. The label o their product is E.A.T. rom

he Garden (E.A.T. stands or Ethnic American Treasures).

Craig leases out a portion o the walnut orchards to Martinez Orchards. The organic walnuts are

istributed by Dixon Ridge Farms, whose operations are just across Putah Creek Road. They sell walnuts

o national distributors who provide bulk walnuts or Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and many co-ops.

Craigs infuence as a arm leader has been ar-reaching. Among his many roles, he serves on the

UC Davis Deans Advisory Council and has enjoyed working with state leaders as a member o the

Caliornia State Board o Farming and Agriculture since 2001.

To see photos and

description o how

walnuts are grown,

harvested, and process

by Dixon Ridge Farms

and their growers, see

www.dixonridgearms.c

Where to fnd

Dixon RidgeFarms organicwalnuts:

SLTs Harvest Feast o

September 29!

Chez Panisse, Berkel

The Natural Grocery

Company, El Cerrito& Berkeley

Trader Joes,

Faireld & elsewhere

Whole Foods Market

Berkeley & other

Bay Area locations

Photo courtesy of Craig McNamara

For more inormation

about Center or Land-

Based Learning, go to

www.landbasedlearning


6/8

Oaks grace the King-Swett RanchesJames Walsh, Solano Land Trust d

Have you ever looked at the hills clustered between Faireld, Benicia and Vallejo and wond

what was beyond the reeway? For years I did, but no longer have to. As a Solano Land T

docent, I have the pleasure o leading hikes on the SLT-owned lands known as the King, Eas

and Vallejo Swett Ranches.

These open, rolling hills that are green in the spring and golden in summer, also have wooareas with several types o oaks. Here are a ew clues to help you tell the oaks apart.

The predominant oak species is the coast live oak, a tree that can grow up to 70 ee

and is oten wider than it is tall. It is the only evergreen oak on the property, meaning it doe

lose its holly-like leaves in winter. The bark on old trees can be deeply ssured, but on yo

trees it is smooth and gray. The acorns are about one-inch long with a scaly cup that co

about one quarter o their length.

The other large oak is the valley oak, which can reach 70 eet or more. These trees

ound only at Eastern Swett. It has massive limbs and a typically straight trunk with a gray-check

bark. This tree develops oak balls, corky growths the size o baseballs. Its leaves are green ab

and pale below, about our inches long and three inches wide, and have deeply cut lobes. The acare one and one-hal to two and one-hal inches long with a bowl-shaped cup covering one-thir

the acorn.

The last oak ound on the properties, but represented by only one or two specimens, is the

oak, which grows to 50-eet tall and looks like a stalk o broccoli. The leaves are blue green and

shaped with lobes not as deep as

the valley oaks, and are up to our

inches long and two inches wide.

The bark is gray and checkered.

Acorns are about one-inch long

with a sharp point and a thin fatcap.

For anyone who has admired

these hills, and the oaks that

grace them, I encourage you to

join me or another docent on a

hike. The birds are plentiul, and

there are excellent views o the

San Francisco Bay.

Help protect SLTs oaks romthe pathogen that causesSudden Oak Death!

Stay on established trails and

heed trail closures

Clean your shoes ater hikes

Bicyclists: Clean your wheelstoo!

Equestrians: Remove mud anddebris rom horses hooves

beore leaving site

Oak woodlands at King RanchPhoto: Bud Turner, WildLight Photography

Docent-led scenic hikes at King-Swett Ranches

First Saturday o the month:Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Free

Explore Solano Countys largest protected open space on a vigorous docent-led hike on uneven terrain (may

not be appropriate or children). 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. Contact Sue Wickham at

(707) 432-0150 x207 or [email protected].


7/8

Volunteer profle: Jim WalshTeri Engbring, Volunteer Coordinator

J im Walsh is the

v o l u n t e e r w h o

unlocks the gates and

welcomes the public

to the King and SwettRanches or docent-

led hikes. J im has

been guiding monthly

tours o the 3,930-acre

site, and sharing his

appreciation or open

space and wildlie, or

nearly three years.

Jim is a transplant

rom urban New Jersey.He moved to Caliornia

with Coleen, his wie o

27 years, in 1984. He

as always loved the outdoors, which explains his career in landscaping. His current employer, TruGreen

andcare, is supportive o his signicant community service. He is an avid birder, active with Audubon

nd a participant in the Solano Breeding Bird Atlas. On his hikes, he shares his knowledge o birds,

ative plants, trees, and other wildlie.

Jim meets his guests in the morning on the rst Saturday o each month. There is no standard tour.

nstead, he discusses the highlights and challenges o each o the three properties and decides with

he group where they will hike that day. A personal avorite stop is an ancient Caliornia bay laurelearly 12 eet in diameter.

These hikes are my pastime and my passion. I love to get out and enjoy these great properties,

o share the awesome views rom the ridge tops, and let people see the wealth o lie behind the hills

hey see rom the Interstates, says Jim.

Marilyn Armbruster, a guest on his August hike wrote in: Today was wonderul. We saw beautiul

istas, birds, red-legged rogs, and oak and willow trees. Jim has such an enthusiasm or the land it is

nectious.

To prospective Solano Land Trust volunteers Jim says, This is a great way to meet people and

xplore Solano Countys treasures. I you want to learn more about volunteering or guided activities

with Solano Land Trust, please call me, Teri Engbring, at (707) 432-0150 x200.

ocent Jim Walsh leads hikes at Vallejo Swett Ranchhoto: Teri Engbring

Sep. 23, Oct. 21, 11 a.m. 5 p.m.

Support the agricultural community in

your own backyard!

2nd Annual Suisun Valley Fun

Family Farm Days


8/8

Jepson Prairie ReserveTake a sel-guided tour in the Docent Triangle seven days

a week during daylight hours. Docent-led wildfower tours

will resume next spring. For more inormation contact SLT at


King and Swett RanchesKing and Swett Ranches are part o the Sky Valley Cordelia

Hills Open Space and are currently open to the public during

sta- or docent-led activities only.

Docent-led Scenic HikesPlease see page 6 o this issue

Lynch Canyon Open SpaceLynch Canyon is open to the public Wednesday through

Sunday rom 8:00 a.m. to posted closing time. Trail maps

are available at parking lot kiosk. As a Solano County

Park, there is a $5 per-day, per-vehicle parking ee. Annual

parking ees are also available by calling (707) 784-7905.

Scenic HikesFourth Saturday o the month:

Sep. 22, Oct. 27, Nov. 24. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Free

Join Dave Warner or a popular Lynch Canyon hike. No

potable water on site, bring your own. Other guided hikes

are scheduled throughout the year. Contact Teri Engbring at


Volunteer Trail Care DaysSecond Saturday o the month:

Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8. 9 a.m. Free

Water, snacks and parking ee available or volunteers.

Great team building and service learning opportunity. For

inormation contact Teri Engbring (see above).

Rush Ranch Open SpaceRush Ranch is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday

8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Suisun Hill Trail (across the ro

rom Rush Ranch) is open seven days a week, dawn to

Night Photography WorkshopMonday, September 24. 3 p.m. until late

Pre-registration required - $100

Proessional photographer Tim Baskerville will lead a

photography workshop under a harvest moon. Contact T

at (707) 645-9860 or [email protected].

Rush Ranch Heritage FeastSeptember 29, 2007, 5:30 to 10 p.m. - $50 per pers

Join us or Solano Land Trusts Heritage Feast with loca

grown oods, silent auction, horse-drawn carriage rides,

ranch dance. Contact Susan Wilkinson at (707) 432-015

x205 or [email protected].

Access Adventures: Challenging the

Limits of DisabilityMichael Muir leads a recreational horse-drawn carriage

program or people with disabilities. For more inormat

go to www.access-adventure.org, or contact Mike at in

access-adventure.org or (707) 426-3990.

Volunteer WorkdaysFirst Saturday o the month:

Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1. 9 a.m. - Free

Help with ranch and trail maintenance. No experience

necessary. Contact Ken at (707) 580-6277, or Teri at

(707) 432-0150 x200.

Blacksmith Shop Demonstration & Access

Adventure Carriage RidesThird Saturday o the month

Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free

Watch or participate in the art o blacksmithing and exRush Ranch on a horse-drawn carriage. No reservations

required. Contact Teri Engbring at (707) 432-0150 x200

[email protected].

For latest news on all o our events go to

www.solanolandtrust.org!

We are using a new database forVistas addresses.

If your address contains an error please notify susan@

solanolandtrust.org. We are also compiling email addresse

Please send us yours to the email listed above. Thank you.

Preserving Farmlandsand OPen sPacethrOughOutsOlanO cOunty

Solano Land Trust

1001 Texas Street, Suite C

Faireld, CA 94533(707) 432-0150

NonPro

Organiza

US Posta

PaidFairfel

CA 945

Permit # 0

BOard memBers

Bob Berman,President

Ian Anderson,Vice President

Darrin Berardi,Secretary

Frank Morris,Treasurer

Sean Quinn,Immediate Past Pres.

Frank J. Andrews,Jr.

Jeff Dittmer

Jane Hicks

John Isaacson

Russell Lester

Jon Monson

John M. Vasquez

staFF

Marilyn Farley,Executive Director

Teri Engbring,

Volunteer and Education

Coordinator

Rob Goldstein,Land Transaction Specialist

Wendy Low,Land Transaction Specialist

Kirsti Muskat, Bookkeeper

Cathy OConnor,Finance Ofcer

Ken Poerner, Land Steward

Ben Wallace, ConservationProject Manager

Sue Wickham,Project Coordinator

Susan Wilkinson,Development Director

Aleta George,

Editor, SLT VistasLogo design based onoriginal art by Don Birrell

Fall 2007 Vistas Newsletter, Solano Land Trust

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Transcript of Fall 2007 Vistas Newsletter, Solano Land Trust