spring 2008 vistas newsletter, solano land trust

8/3/2019 Spring 2008 Vistas Newsletter, Solano Land Trust

1/8

Presidents Messa

Volunteer Prole :C.J. Addington

Executive DirectoPerspective

Partner Prole:

Five Dot Land &Cattle Company

Historical PerspectiReaping Rewards

Science on the La

Activities & Even

l. 15 #1

Spring2008

Continued on page 7

To ow or not to ow:That is the question for the diked marsh at Rush Ranch

Ben Wallace, Conservation Project Manager

The levee on the Marsh Trail at Rush Ranch broke again in January 2006. Land Steward Ken Poerner

quickly led a group of volunteers to patch it up with dirt and mesh fencing. This was a dj vu for

Ken who had already patched major breaks in 1998 and 2001. One of these days a winter storm is

oing to come along and wash away that levee beyond repair, said Ken.

The Great Debate: Managed or Tidal?The levee, the trail that tops it, and the 70-acre diked marsh they encircle have been the touchstone

of debate for nearly a decade. Over the years, state and local agencies have approached Solano Land

Trust with the idea to breach the levee intentionally. This would restore habitat for rare and endangered

pecies by re-creating natural tidal channels and the marsh plain. SLT staff supported the concept, but

with reservations. Perennial

pepperweed, a highly

invasive weed common in

the tidal marsh outside the

levee, threatens to invade

the site if disturbed by

heavy equipment, and weed

control would be more

restricted due to potential

impacts of herbicides to

endangered species.

SLTs partner, the Rush

Ranch Educational Council

(RREC), wants to maintainhe 70-acre diked marsh, seen here as a dark band, is overgrown with cattails andulrusheshoto: Solano Land Trust


2/8

Presidents MessageBob Berman, President

One topic that is

beginning to dominate

the discussion among

land trusts is the issue o

climate change. Although

the debate over whether

or not the planet is

heating (yes, it is) appears

over, the discussion o the

roles and responsibilities

o land trusts is just beginning. One example o a

role or land trusts is related to carbon sequestration.

Carbon sequestration reers to the removal and long-

term storage o carbon dioxide rom the atmosphere

through the use o natural carbon sinks. Right now

the prime ocus or carbon sequestration is orests.

While land trusts have or many years been involved

in the protection o orests or their ecological value,

the eort to ght global warming provides another

reason to protect orests.

At the ourth annual Caliornia Land Trust

Conerence held in early February, the Conservation

Fund reported on the acquisition o 24,000 acres oorest along the Garcia River in northern Caliornia.

One objective o the Conservation Fund is to manage

the orest to restore and increase its ability to capture

and store carbon dioxide.

Admittedly, there are ew orests in Solano County,

so our role in protecting orests in the ght to

combat global warming is small. But trees are not the

only plants that absorb carbon dioxide. Scientists are

now ocusing on the ability and role o other natural

communities, such as wetlands and grasslands, to

absorb carbon dioxide. Over the years, Solano Land

Trust has successully protected thousands o acres o

wetlands and grasslands such as Rush Ranch, Jepson

Prairie and Lynch Canyon. In the uture, we may nd

that an additional reason to protect Solano Countys

natural areas is to help reverse the adverse eects o

climate change.

Volunteer Prole:

C.J. Addington, who has led vernal

pool ora and fauna tours since 1996,

is a key volunteer with the Jepson

Prairie docent program. He is a gifted

high school teacher, and certied by

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to

dip into the murky vernal pools and

pull out rare and fascinating creatures

for guests to see.

When C.J. first visited Jepson

as a UC Davis student completing

his teaching credential in 1990, the

preserve and its unique animalsinspired him. He was particularly

drawn to the vernal pools when

he learned they were populated

with fairy shrimp. As a child he had

discovered these unusual creatures

while exploring in the ancient cisterns

of North Yemen in southern Arabia

where his dad worked as a diplomat.

C.J. grows several species of shrimp in his classroom to give stud

and the Jepson Prairie docents-in-training a close-up view of Olcott fauna. He keeps zip lock bags, waders, and an ice cream scoop in the

of his truck during the wet season, ready to dredge up tiny critters from

puddles on the side of the road. (He never takes mud from locations

federally endangered fairy shrimp may live.) He places the scooped up slu

in lasagna pans, adds water, and after a couple of days under the light

next generation bursts forth.

Honored as Placer Countys 2

teacher of the year, C.J. teaches

school biology and physics in Rose

He donates at least 80 hours each wiand spring to raising critters, trai

docents, and guiding tours. Each yea

looks forward to a new season at Jep

when he hopes to see a constant o

visitors, especially families with kids

a steady inux of new docents who

willing to jump into the rigorous trai

and continue these high quality tou

C.J. Addington dips intoJepson Prairie

Teri Engbring, Volunteer and Education Coordi

C.J. prepares or a dipin Jepsons Olcott LakePhoto: Lars W.J. Anderson

Conditions at Jepson should

be ideal for owers and

wildlife this year! Free tours

will be offered each Saturday

and Sunday morning at 10

a.m. from March 8 through

May 11, led by C.J. and other

dedicated docents.


3/8

Marilyn Farley, Executive Director

Executive Directors Perspective

When you think about Solano Land Trust, what is the rst image that pops

into your head? If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have said, Its

an organization that protects open space and farmland in Solano County.

Well, isnt that true? Yes, it is, but its only part of the story.Now Im more likely to think about how were a meeting ground for

people with a lot of diverse, yet convergent, interests. Children come to

our land to learn about Patwin Native Americans or what a watershed is. Birders come hoping to see a

olden eagle. Others come to see the tiny fairy shrimp. Researchers come to study, record and manage

he environment. Business leaders come for a retreat. The before mobility challenged come for a carriage

ide. Tourists come to hike or see wildowers. Artists come to capture a landscape.

I think these experiences are possible because Solano Land Trust has developed a raft of very

mportant partnerships. These partnerships have historically been with volunteer groups like the Rush

Ranch Education Council and Jepson Prairie docents, or with funders like the Coastal Conservancy.

But in recent years, we have added a number of new partnerships with Access Adventure, Nationalstuarine Research Reserve, and Suisun Resources Conservation District, among others.

Each of these partners has a unique role to play in helping the public access our lands. Our newest

outreach has brought in funding partners from the business community. We have launched a program,

Business Partners in Conservation, to recognize the links and shared values we have with the business

ommunity. Visit www.solanolandtrust.org and click on partners to see details of this program. Just

ecently, the Faireld-Suisun Chamber of Commerce launched its business leaders training program

sing our new nature center at Rush Ranch.

Board member John Vasquez and I are exploring ways that Solano Land Trust can better help

nderserved children experience our open spaces. We are starting to reach out to the health

ommunity and youth organizations to make this happen. Again, the take home message for me is

hat we need partners, and we need to work together to better serve the whole Solano community.

et me know your ideas!

Celebrate Lynch Canyons AnniversaryLynch Canyon is a treasure to explore and enjoy, and the perect place to celebrate nature. To commemorate

the rst year since Solano Land Trust and Solano County opened the site to the public, weve scheduled

a range o activities on Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11. Celebrate Nature, Explore Lynch Canyon

will include guided hikes, birding tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, equestrian and mountain bike rides,

scavenger hunts, and more. Go to www.solanolandtrust.org or call Teri at (707) 432-0150 x200.

Planning is also underway or another major event at Lynch Canyon on June 21. Enthusiastic Lynch

Canyon user and nearby Hiddenbrooke resident Chris Abess is leading a dynamic team o volunteers to plan a

Lynch Canyon Trail Run (10K and hal marathon) and Community Hike (all ages and ability levels). For more

inormation or to volunteer, go to www.lynchcanyontrailrun.blogspot.com.

Have your nex

staff retreat aRush Ranch

New and improved

acilities are available

rent at Rush Ranch. In

the new Nature Center

a meeting room with

partial kitchen and

olding tables and cha

or up to 80 people lo

out on grassy hills, hopaddocks, and the Suis

Marsh. It rents or $30

a day or private and

business users, and les

or nonprots. When

not in use by scientist

and researchers workin

at the ranch, the ully

urnished, two-bedroo

guest quarters can berented or $150 per

night. A 13,750 square

oot outdoor picnic

area can also be rente

or picnics, classes,

overnight camping and

meetings. This large

shaded area behind th

historic barn includes

moveable wooden picntables, large masonry

barbecue, re pit with

covered shelter, and re

or $50-$100 per day o

night. For inormation

contact Teri at (707)

432-0150 x200.


4/8

Partner Prole:

Sustaining agricultural operations is a very important part of Solano Land Trusts mission. To continue

mission, we partner with livestock operators on all of our properties. In addition to agricultural value, graprovides control of invasive species for grassland enhancement and provides a source of income for prop

maintenance. In this issue, meet Five Dot Land and Cattle Company who graze their cattle on the Vallejo S

and Eastern Swett Ranches in the rolling hills between Benicia, Vallejo and Faireld. We hope you enjoy ge

to know our livestock operators in this and subsequent issues.

It is not uncommon to see Adam Cline pull up to the ranch with a horse tr

and his cattle dog, Thelma. Adam told us, Solanos western hills are some of the

cattle country in Northern California. The abundant sunshine and moisture from

Bay make for excellent conditions for growing grass. It is comforting to know tha

preserved Swett Ranches will not be overtaken by development, but will continu

be prime cattle raising ground and wildlife habitat.Adam runs ten leased ranches for Five Dots Bay Area operations. He is well-su

to work on SLTs protected lands with his natural sciences degree from Nort

Arizona University and his experience in running his own cattle operation for sev

years. He moves most of the livestock around the ranches by horseback, which m

wily dogs like Thelma an essential part of the operation.

The cattle at the Swett Ranches represent a good portion of the yearling c

Five Dot produces. These cattle are born in spring and spend the summer at Five D

headquarters ranch in Susanville, California. Then they are weaned and shippe

the Swett Ranches in late fall. The yearlings gain two to three pounds a day du

the winter and spring months. At the beginning of June, on average years, the yearlings are gath

and sorted. Some are sold to natural Angus beef companies that fatten the calves in the Midwest

export the beef to the European Union. Five Dot is one of only a few cattle producers in the Un

States whose calves are eligible for export to the European

Union due to their ability to verify the age and source of all

their calves. All the cattle are never-evers, or natural beef,

free of antibiotics and added hormones. The best calves are

placed in Five Dots own natural premium beef program for

the enjoyment of beef lovers in Northern California.

SLT looks forward to a long-term working relationship

with Five Dot on these ranches as we move forward with

plans for resource enhancement and public access. For a

closer look at Five Dot cows, join docent Jim Walsh on a

hike at the King & Swett Ranches on the rst Saturday of

every month (see back page for details).

Wheres the beef?

Oxbow Public Market is a new,

buy-resh, buy-local armers

market in downtown Napa (www.

oxbowpublicmarket.com). Five Dot

owns the markets bee storeront.

They oer dierent cuts o resh beeand their own line o bee ranks,

sausage, bee bacon and corned

bee. They also cut to order. Check it

out next time you are in Napa. The

ability to order this quality product

online will be coming soon. Go to

www.vedotranch.com or more

inormation.

Five Dot Land and Cattle Companymanage happy cows

Sue Wickham, Project Coordin


5/8

Historical Perspective:

or more than 150 years, the lands of

olano County have been ranched and

armed. The early pioneers recognized thebundant opportunities afforded by the

reas fertile soils and mild climate.

The cattle boom, which occurred from

850 to 1860, was initiated by the Gold

Rush. Prior to this time, livestock was only

of value for hides, tallow and wool. As a

esult of the Gold Rush population boom,

huge market for meat permanently changed the character of Californias cattle industry. By 1860,

Californias beef cattle population had reached approximately one-million head.

During the 1850s, the type of cattle in California also underwent a signicant change. The settlersbegan to introduce improved livestock in order to upgrade breeds. In 1858, B.W. Stevens of Yolo

County displayed at the State Fair One Durham Bull, ve years old, weight two thousand and sixty-

wo pounds, California. Similarly, Jerome C. Davis of Yolo County was awarded the rst premium for

Bull, California-bred. It took only a decade of crossing superior breeds of cattle with Spanish stock

o create a new common breed throughout California.

From 1850 on, cattle, sheep and wheat became primary products in Solano County, with sheep

ccounting for a large portion of the livestock. Many migrating settlers brought sheep with them. Jeff

Dittmers earliest ancestors came to Solano from Germany in 1852. Dittmer is an SLT board member,

nd his father, Bob Dittmer, sold Rush Ranch to Solano Land Trust in 1987. Dittmer runs cattle on land

hat was purchased by his great, great, great grandparents in 1881. He notes that years ago his family

aised sheep predominantly. Dittmer says the primary reason for his familys switch from sheep to

attle was due to an increase in urbanization, while also noting economic incentives. This pressure,

xacerbated by the ownership of dogs and an increase in the coyote population, was enough to render

heep ranching nearly impossible. Despite ranching mostly cattle today, Dittmer admits to owning

bout twenty-ve ewes, though their presence, he claims, is as much out of habit as anything else.

By 1875, ranching and grain elds had transformed much of the natural landscape of the County,

but vineyards and orchards soon exceeded the grain industry. As early as 1841, farmers experimented

with dry-land orchard crops, with Vaca and Pleasants Valleys producing high quality fruit that ripened

xtraordinarily early. In 1866 the Solano County Assessor found that apple and peach trees accounted

or nearly 70 percent of the Countys 71,045 fruit trees. Cherry cultivation, particularly in the alluvial

oils of the lower Vaca Valley, Lagoon Valley, and Suisun and Green Valleys, began to take precedence

s well. By 1890 most open land in the Vaca, Lagoon, and Pleasants Valleys was covered in stone fruit

nd grapes. An estimated 15,000 acres were producing fruit, with a ratio of 100 trees per acre.

Farmers and ranchers in Solano County have always had to be dynamic and exible, but despite

ongoing difculties, Dittmer says there are very specic benets to ranching here. The climate,

particularly on the western side of the County, provides good grazing and ample grass growth for

ong periods throughout the year.

The County has witnessed great changes, but the mainstay has been, and continues to be, the

ertile soils of the area.

Emily Glanville wrote this article based on personal interviews and local history resources.

Je Dittmers greatgrandather, Henry Dittmharvesting wheat aroun1870Photo: Compliments o Dittmer

amily

Reaping rewards from Solanos soilsEmily Glanville, 2007 SLT Intern


6/8

Before wading into one of the 30 vernal pools at Wilcox Ranch East, wetland ecologist Cassie Pin

dips a small vial into the pool, and then places it in a a special instrument that measures the turb

of the water. She needs the reading before she stirs things up, no matter how lightly she steps.

Pinnell works for Vollmar Consulting, a natural resources specialist group that is surveying shrimp (tiny crustaceans) residing in the seasonal vernal pools at Solano Land Trusts Wilcox Ra

East. While she will count all the creatures she ndsincluding copepods, seed shrimp, daphnia

mosquito larvaeshe is also hoping to nd endangered species such as conservancy, vernal pool

tadpool shrimp. Dipping for listed species requires a permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Solano Land Trust acquired the 1,498-acre property in 2005 from the Nature Conservancy,

made an agreement with Calpine Energy Corporation to manage the land as a mitigation site.

property, which is not open to the public, is sandwiched between Travis Air Force Base and Jep

Prairie Preserve (see related story on page 2). Like Jepson Prairie Preserve, Wilcox Ranch serves a

important remnant of the once vast vernal pool habitat and bunchgrass prairie that covered Califor

Central Valley before being converted to other uses. Vernal pools provide habitat for migrating band numerous threatened or endangered species.

We are monitoring the sites vernal pools for ve years to ensure that our management prac

are successful at maintaining viable populations of federally-listed species, says Ben Wallace, S

conservation project manager.

The rst year of monitoring in 2007 was done with biologist Russ Huddleston, but it wa

exceptionally dry year. They found a lot of conservancy fairy shrimp, a fair amount of tadpole shr

some vernal pool fairy shrimp, but no California tiger salamanders, said Wallace. With so much

this winter, this years survey should be dramatically different.

In addition to counting species at Wilcox, Vollmar is looking at the range of conservancy

shrimp throughout the county and state. It was originally thought that conservancy fairy shrimp existed in large pools with turbid water like Jepsons Olcott Lake, said Pinnell, but while doi

survey in the Montezuma Hills, we found them in small wetland pools on an upland slope.

Once the endangered shrimp were found

smaller habitat in clear water, the importance

statewide study became clear. You need to k

where they occur so that when conservatio

development is being done you can take the ha

into consideration, said Pinnell.

After Pinnell records the turbidity of a pool

steps into the water to measure the pH, tempera

salinity, and dissolved oxygen of the water. Sta

close to shore, she takes her ne-mesh net and sw

it quickly in gure eights through the water.

pulls the net out and starts counting. Her tra

eye can differentiate between a seed shrimp a

conservancy fairy shrimp. She records her ndings in a hand-held tape recorder. If she doesnt c

any conservancy fairy shrimp close to shore, she continues the routine in deeper water.

All the creatures in the pools live a short life. Come summer the land will be dry and parc

but with next years rains, the life will burst on the scene again, and Solano Land Trust and Voll

Consulting will be there to record its presence.

Cassie Pinnell countinginvertebrates in avernal poolPhoto: Ralph Cutter

Fairy shrimp are aederally-endangeredspeciesPhoto: Ralph Cutter

Science on the Land (second in a series):

Scientist counts fairy shrimp at Wilcox RancAleta Geroge, Ed


7/8

public access and educational opportunities

round the marsh pond. In the 1980s and early 90s

he pond was actively managed to provide habitat

or waterfowl and shorebirds, but over the yearshe levee and the water control structures have

allen into disrepair and the marsh has become

overgrown by a thicket of cattails and bulrushes.

If repaired, the diked marsh could serve to

ducate the public about the historic role of

waterfowl management in Suisun Marsh, and

provide a side-by-side comparison of tidal marsh

nd managed marsh habitats. Visitors could stroll

long the levee and observe birds from wildlife

iewing blinds.On the other hand, a restored natural tidal

marsh would have regional significance and

provide an important habitat corridor between

Rush Ranchs 800 acres of remnant tidal marsh to

he south and west and future tidal marshes to the

north and east on the California Department of Fish

nd Games Hill Slough Wildlife Area. The regional

uisun Marsh Plan (under development) will likely

all for an increase in tidal marsh habitat. There

re already more than 45,000 acres of managedmarshes in Suisun Marsh, compared to only 6,000

cres of natural tidal marsh. The opportunity to

reate a large, connected swath of tidal marsh and

plands is extremely rare in the San Francisco Bay,

nd through SLTs partnership with the National

stuarine Research Reserve (NERR), the site offers

n excellent place to conduct research and educate

he public about tidal marsh restoration.

Towards Resolution

In 2007, SLT initiated a project to resolvehese issues. With a grant from the San Francisco

oundation, SLT hired a team of experts in waterfowl

nd tidal marsh management to develop conceptual

plans for both managed and tidal marsh alternatives.

n January they presented three alternatives to the

Rush Ranch management team.

One alternative looks at rebuilding the levee,

eplacing control structures, and re-grading the

ite to create a diversity of shallow water and

deep water habitats for waterfowl and shorebirds.

It could then be managed as a seasonal or semi-

permanent wetland and the Marsh Trail maintained

and enhanced.

Another alternative would breach a small

portion of the levee and build a starter channel for

tidal restoration. The remainder of the levee would

be rebuilt and maintained. A bridge would span the

breach on the Marsh Trail and provide an elevated

site to view the restoration project as it evolves. A third option would remove a substantial

portion of the levee and create a starter channel

for tidal restoration. A portion of the Marsh Trail

would be replaced by a boardwalk, providing a

close up view of the marsh ecosystem.

Simultaneously, SLT is developing a ranch-wide

weed control strategy that will balance the risks

and benets to endangered species and allow

physical restoration projects to go forward. In all

alternatives, weed control would be conductedbefore and during construction.

The Rush Ranch management team, and

ultimately the SLT board, will review the nal

report this spring and make a decision on the long-

term management of this unique site. We welcome

ideas and comments from all interested parties.

For Ken and his volunteer crew, the days of

partial xes and stopgap measures may soon come

to a close.

Continued rom page 1

To fow or not to fow

Great egrets on the move at Rush Ranch

Photo: Alan Moore


8/8

For latest news on events and directions to

our lands go to www.solanolandtrust.org

Unless otherwise noted, all events are ree and require noadvance registration. Workday groups should call ahead.

For more inormation (unless noted otherwise) contact TeriEngbring at (707) 432.0150 x200, [email protected] the exception o Suisun Hill Trail across rom Rush Ranch,dogs are not allowed on SLT properties.

Preserving Farmlandsand OPen sPacethrOughOutsOlanO cOunty

Solano Land Trust1001 Texas Street, Suite CFaireld, CA 94533

(707) 432-0150

NonP

Organiz

US PosPaid

Fairfe

CA 945

Permit #

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

Albert Lavezzo

John M. Vasquez

staFF

Marilyn Farley,Executive Director

Teri Engbring,

Volunteer and Education

Coordinator

Rob Goldstein,Land Transaction Specialist

Cathy OConnor,Finance Ofcer

Ken Poerner, Land Steward

Ben Wallace, ConservationProject Manager

Sue Wickham,Project Coordinator

Aleta George,

Editor, SLT Vistas

Logo design based onoriginal art by Don Birrell

Address Service Requested

Jepson Prairie ReserveOur popular docent-led tours o the prairies unique vernal

pool invertebrates and wildfowers are given every Saturday

and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. through Mothers Day. A $1

donation is requested. Contact Teri (see above) to schedule

a group larger than ve.

King and Swett Ranches

The King and Swett Ranches are currently open to the publicduring sta- or docent-led activities only.

Scenic Hikes and BirdingFirst Saturday of the month:

Apr. 5, May 3, Jun. 7, 2008. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Meet at the Park-and-Ride lot at the Hiddenbrooke Parkway/

American Canyon Road exit at I-80.

Lynch Canyon Open SpaceLynch Canyon is open to the public Wed. through Sun.

rom 8 a.m. to posted closing time. Carry your own water.

As a Solano County Park, there is a $5 per-day, per-vehicle

parking ee.

Guided Bird TourSunday, Apr. 20, 2008. 9 a.m.

Guided Easy Hike - Great or SeniorsSunday, Mar. 16, Apr. 13, 2008. 9 a.m.

Guided Mountain Bike RideSecond Saturday of the month:

Apr. 12, May 10, Jun. 14, 2008. Noon.

Scenic HikesFourth Saturday of the month:

Mar. 22, Apr. 26, May 24, 2008. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteer Trail Care and Restoration WorkdaysSecond Saturday of the month:

Apr. 12, May 10, Jun. 14, 2008. 9 a.m.

Bring gloves and a avorite planting tool.

Celebrate Nature, Explore Lynch CanyonSaturday & Sunday, May 10 & 11, 2008

Hikes, bicycle and equestrian tours, nature walks, carriarides, and amily un. See our website or more details.

Run and Community HikeSaturday, Jun. 21, 2008

10K, hal-marathon, amily hikes and more. Go to www

lynchcanyontrailrun.blogspot.com or details.

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

Wildfower HikeSaturday, Apr. 5, 2008. 9 to 11 a.m.

Call (707) 422-4491 or (707) 425-3706 or inormation

Rush Ranch Day: Open House & Horse FairSaturday, Apr. 26, 2008. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Horse exhibitions, carriage rides, music, dancing, and m

Call (707) 422-4491.

4-H Horse ShowSaturday, Jun. 14, 2008

Visit www.access-adventure.org or call (707) 432-0152

Volunteer WorkdaysFirst Saturday of the month:

Apr. 5, May 3, Jun. 7, 2008. 9 a.m.

Contact Ken at (707) 580-6277.

Blacksmith Shop Demonstration, Access Adven

Carriage Rides & Nature HikesThird Saturday of the month:

Apr. 19, May 17, Jun. 21, 2008. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

spring 2008 vistas newsletter, solano land trust

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