SLT is a private not for profit organization with the mission of… We are part of a national network of land trusts with similar missions SLT has been protecting natural areas and conserving working farms and ranches in this county since 1986 .
We are successful because of our wide-ranging and diverse community. Our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, Board members, educators, landowners, grazers, volunteers and businesses work in partnership to enhance the quality of life in our community. Our community is made up of: -over 200 volunteers that lead hikes, teach kids and help us in the office -our 13 member board consists of business, farm and environmental members -10 staff Over 30 business partners Hundreds of members and donors Farmers and grazers, who we work with to manage our land Teachers from local schools bring kids to our properties to learn about natural and cultural history Other visitors include outdoor clubs and scientists And we work with countless organization and agencies to leverage funds and other resources to protect land here in Solano
Last year – we had almost 10,000 visitors to our properties. 3900 LC; 4000 RR; 1500 Jepson; 300 KS (9700 visitors) We work hard to be good stewards of our lands We pay property taxes
We all love the green hills and rural feel of Solano County. It’s part of what makes our area unique. By protecting the agriculture and open spaces in Solano County, we are protecting this area for future generations. By taking care of our local lands, we are helping keep our air and water clean. And, by giving folks the opportunity to get outside and get some exercise, we are fighting the obesity epidemic that has hit us hard here in Solano County. And we firmly believe that farmers are the best stewards of farmland, so we work with them to preserve ag land in the county.
We have over 40 miles of trails on our properties Lynch 10 Jepson 6 King Swett 20 Rush 5 Total 41
Our lands are places to go that are close to home yet amazingly far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Just off I-80 in the hills between Vallejo and Fairfield, the 1,039 acre Lynch Canyon provides nearly 10 miles of trails. It’s owned by SLT & managed by Solano County under a historic partnership entered into in Dec. 2006 to open this land – once destined to be Solano Garbage Dump – to the public. We need Solano County’s support to keep this park open. It could be part of a long-term plan to have a direclty funded park and ag protection system. When it’s very clear you can see GG Bridge, Mt Diablo, Mt Tam and the Sierra Nevadas Open Wednesday-Sunday with a $5 parking fee.
4,000 acres of hill country and grazing lands stretching from Vallejo’s eastern flank, past the Hiddenbrooke subdivision and all the way to Highway 680. The area has steep ravines, earthquake faults, and heavily-wooded riparian corridors. And the view is amazing! On a clear day, you can see Mt Diablo, the entire suisun marsh and rio vista PG&E partner of their HCP
Just five minutes south of Suisun along Grizzly Island Rd. you’ll find our 2,000 acre Rush Ranch. The Rush Ranch Education Council just hosted the 19 th annual Rush Ranch Open House. They estimate over 1,000 were in attendance. We’re working to make residents of our communities aware of this treasure. Many first-time visitors have lived in Solano County all their lives & are amazed that this resource is so near and so spectacular. Enjoy the peace and quiet. Refresh your soul. Get your exercise.
Springtime is the time to visit the Jepson Prairie and experience an abundance of wildflowers and the quaint creatures that inhabit our vernal pools. This is probably one of the rarest habitats on earth – yet it’s just out Vacaville’s back door on the far side of Travis Air Force Base. 1566 acres Open daily for self led tours And the Jepson Docents, on of our partner groups, lead tours every Saturday and Sunday at 10am from mid-March to mid-May
Last year over 8,000 adults and children visit our properties during community events, in family groups, as part of school field trips, or on one of our docent-led hikes. We are working with the Fairfield Hotel Association to help them promote opportunities for tourists visiting Solano County And obviously, our residents have many opportunities for recreation on our properties. With rising gas prices, recreational opportunities near home are becoming more valued.
Our lands are full of activities and natural treasures From 40 miles of trails to hidden picnicking spots with great views, you will be amazed at what you discover Schoolchildren learning about our natural and cultural history Hiking, biking, walking and equestrian trails Picnicking spots Community events and activities Wildlife and plants Eagle Scout projects and 4H programs Artists, photographers and classes Our Nature Center with pictures and information about the history of Rush Ranch
Solano Land Trust partners with the Solano Resource Conservation District and the Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District to bring school children to our properties as part of the Watershed Explorers program. And our partners, the Rush Ranch Educational Council (RREC) offer the Patwin Native American Indian Program at Rush Ranch. For years, this Council has offered weekly classes to 3 rd and 4 th grade students, which they tie to the state CA history curriculum.
Mountain bikers are welcome to traverse over 10 miles of trails on our Lynch Canyon property. We also welcome equestrians at Lynch Canyon. This is the perfect spot for horseback riders and the only public open space in Solano County where they can go. Both groups have a representative on our Lynch Canyon users group which is dedicated to helping the County and SLT make sure that things are working well for all users.
The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are planning day camps at Rush Ranch this summer. Eagle scouts looking for projects frequently find them on our properties. Here Will Kane starts his bird-house project off site. Then installs it at Lynch Canyon. This summer, we have another Eagle Scout project. Kyle Jenks will build an interpretive sign for Lynch Canyon that will provide information about everything from trail maps to flora and fauna.
Hikers enjoy docent led hikes on the King and Swett ranches, here with long-time docent Dave Warner. We also sponsor events. In the past years, we have had over 300 participants in our Lynch Canyon Trail Run and Community Hike at Lynch Canyon. This was cosponsored by the County, Deloitte, Kaiser Permanente, Valerjo Benicia refinery, the Vallejo Convention & Visitors Bureau, Potrero Hills Landfill, Jelly Belly and many others.
The Plein Air artists love to paint at Rush Ranch. Painting classes from Solano Community College – as well as science classes – are regular users of our properties. Many birders visit our properties to listen and look for bird sights and sounds. Birding is the most popular outdoor activity in the US. Our lands are home to raptors, including golden eagles, wading birds like the snowy egret, many migrating species, and some rare ones, like the clapper rail.
Our properties also offer opportunities for individuals and groups to picnic. There are also many different plants, including a myriad of wildflowers in the spring. This is a rare Suisun Aster
The Rush Ranch Open house is always a fun time, with square dancing, weaving, carving falconry and farm animals demonstrations and more We partner with the Rush Ranch Educational Council to open the historic blacksmith shop at Rush Ranch to visitors one Saturday a month. The 2008 event had over 1,000 attendees
We partner with Access Adventure to give disabled adults and children a chance to experience carriage rides and much more at Rush Ranch.
Voluntary partnerships between the land trust and local farmers and ranchers Help keep agriculture financially viable Safeguard Solano County’s 200-year agricultural heritage Helps ensure that our community has access to safe and local food The farmer/rancher continues to own and manage the land and retains their property rights to the land The agricultural value of the land is protected for future generations Donating an easement can provide significant tax benefits
SLT’s first ag easement was donated by Magnus Bennedsen in 1998. This easement made it possible for the Tenbrinks, the current owners, to purchase the land. They grow award-winning grapes, walnuts, heirloom tomatoes and other vegitalbes and are trailblazers for marketing local produce. Now, it is more common for SLT to find grant funds to purchase the easements from willing farmers. Easements provide the farmer with a cash infusion which can be used to grow his agricultural enterprise. We have so much interest in this program, that we have farmers lined up who want to work out conservation agreements with us Partner w/ Dixon and Davis on Greenbelts.
In the recent General Plan update, agricultural studies pointed to Suisun Valley and the Dixon Ridge as highly productive ag land. We also focus on protecting agricultural land in these areas.
![Outline ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)