MAY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES AT THE SOLANO LAND TRUST

MAY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

VACAVILLE, CA

Join the docents and staff of Solano Land Trust to explore the outdoors and experience the beauty of Solano County! For information on meeting locations, directions, and registration, visit our events page at solanolandtrust.org/events-news/. For additional questions, call Di Holokahi at 707-420-1041. May opportunities include:

Sat. May 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vallejo Swett RanchesNature Hike: Explore the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo. Solano Land Trust docents will share insights about birds, butterflies, and the other wildlife which call the Vallejo Swett Ranches home, and you will get a vigorous workout! Space is limited. Hike level: Moderate to moderately strenuous. Registration is recommended.

Fri. May 8 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Lynch Canyon Open Space

Community Science Volunteer Outing – Nighttime Frog Monitoring: Join Solano Land Trust staff for a Community Science volunteer opportunity! On May 8th, Solano Land Trust will be doing evening frog surveys at the Lynch Canyon Reservoir by kayak and/or canoe! Monitoring is focused on identifying if there is a presence of bullfrogs in the reservoir.Participants can also stay on shore and monitor if they aren’t comfortable being in a watercraft. Those interested must RSVP by Monday, May 4th if they want to be in the watercraft to ensure enough kayaks and safety gear. No frog monitoring experience is necessary, participants will learn while volunteering. Headlamps and flashlights strongly encouraged as it will be nighttime. A specific type of flashlight is required for frog monitoring and those will be provided, but if you have a flashlight that matches those requirements (focused beam, white light, and ~400 lumens), please bring it as well. Dress in layers and bring water. There will also be water on site, as well as life jackets.Meet at the Lynch Canyon front entrance gate at 7:30pm. Gate will close at 7:35, so please be on time.Contact Olivia Freitas at olivia@solanolandtrust.org with questions.Registration is required.

Sat. May 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vallejo-Swett Ranch

“Very Important Trail” Outing with Bay Area Ridge Trail: Solano Land Trust is currently working with partners in hopes of opening a new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail across their Vallejo-Swett Ranch property. The trail will connect the Blue Rock Springs Park and Hiddenbrooke Ridge Trail sections.

This guided hike with Solano Land Trust and the Ridge Trail will give you a sneak-peek of a potential future Ridge Trail section. Please visit solanolandtrust.org/events-news for full full details on this special outing.

Meet at Blue Rock Springs Park. Cancels for rain or extreme weather. Parking fee is $6 for Vallejo residents, $8 for non-residents.

Registration is recommended.

Sat. May 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park

Nature Hike: Explore the hills between Suisun Valley and Green Valley and see sweeping views of Solano County and beyond. The park’s scenic blue and live oaks, chaparral, native wildflowers, and fascinating geology make this a beautiful hike full of unique plants and birds to see. Make sure to pack water, snacks, sun or rain protection as needed, and walking sticks if you use them. Moderately strenuous, 4-6 miles. Cancels for rain or extreme weather. Parking fee is $5.

Please note: Park hours are extended to 8am-8pm May 1 through August 31.

Registration is recommended.

Sat. May 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lynch Canyon Open Space

Volunteer Service Day: Join the Solano Land Trust Trail Crew every second Saturday of the month in partnership with Solano County Parks to work on trails and projects at Lynch Canyon Open Space! Help take care of Lynch Canyon’s 1,000-plus acres. Projects include improving trails, fixing fences, weeding, and more. No experience necessary. Participants learn while volunteering.Lynch Canyon is an open space park owned by Solano Land Trust and operated through a partnership by Solano County Parks.

Registration is recommended.

Sat. May 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Rush Ranch Open Space

Get the Rush: Get the Rush is a series of fun, free activities for the whole family, offered on the third Saturday of each month at Rush Ranch. Guests can try blacksmithing at the forge, enjoy wagon rides with Access Adventure, explore pop-up shops, visit exciting exhibit tables, and take guided hikes through the marsh!

Rush Ranch is open to the public 7 days a week year-round. Open hours are 8am to 5pm November 1 through February 28, and 8am to 7pm March 1 through October 31.

Registration for the Marsh Walk is recommended.

Sat. May 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rush Ranch Nature Center

Community Science Volunteer Outing – Bumble Bee Field ID Class: Join Dr. Jaymee Marty in partnership with Solano Land Trust for a Bumble Bee ID Class at the Rush Ranch Nature Center! Dr. Jaymee Marty will teach you how to identify California native bumble bees, including Crotch’s bumble bee, an endangered species found on the open lands of Solano County. You’ll spend one hour in the Nature Center learning about bumble bee ecology and identification basics. Dr. Marty will also introduce the California Bumble Bee Atlas project and will explain how to get involved. Then you’ll go out and search for bees in the native plant garden and throughout the property to identify!No experience identifying bumble bees is necessary—training will be provided.Contact Olivia Freitas at olivia@solanolandtrust.org with questions.Registration is required.

Sat. May 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lynch Canyon Open Space

Nature Hike: This hike at Lynch Canyon will take visitors westward along Middle Valley Trail leading to Prairie Ridge. Expect a five-mile hike at a moderate but even pace over uneven ground. There are steep climbs over several hills with the longest at Prairie Ridge, but the views are worth it! Please note there is a parking fee of $5 at Lynch Canyon (cash or check).

Registration is required.

Sat. May 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park

Volunteer Service Day: Every fourth Saturday of the month, join Solano Land Trust Trail Crew in partnership with Solano County Parks to work on projects at Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park! Projects include improving trails, fixing fences, weeding, and more. No experience necessary. Participants learn while volunteering.Please note: Park hours are extended to 8am-8pm May 1 through August 31.

Registration is required.

Saturdays and Sundays, March 14 through May 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Jepson Prairie Preserve

Wildflower and Critter Walks: Vernal pool season is back! Join Solano Land Trust and the docents of Jepson Prairie Preserve for the celebrated Wildflower and Critter Walks. Every Saturday and Sunday, March 14ththrough May 10th, certified “dipper” docents will display the crustaceans and salamanders that inhabit the vast temporary pools that form above the claypan. Docents will then tour visitors through the millions of colorful wildflowers that grow over the uplands of the property. Located at 4845 Cook Lane in Dixon, Jepson Prairie Preserve and its adjacent properties compose one of California’s best and largest remaining protections of vernal pool and native bunchgrass prairie ecosystems. More than ten endangered species live on the land, and the Delta green ground beetle, Conservancy fairy shrimp, and Solano grass are rarely found outside the property. The pools also attract migratory birds such as stilts, avocets, and snow geese.One docent-led tour per day goes out, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending around noon. The property is also open for self-guided tours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but docents give much more depth and can access parts of the property closed to the public. Trails are very wet and waterproof footwear is encouraged. It’s also often windy, so layering is recommended. For more information visit solanolandtrust.org/events-news. For groups of five or more, please RSVP to info@jepsonprairiedocents.org. A minimum $5 donation is encouraged to attend this tour. The Jepson Prairie Preserve Handbook is available for purchase onsite.