Vol.

15 #2

Summer 2008

Kick off summer at the Lynch Canyon trail run & community hike
Teri Engbring, Volunteer & Education Coordinator

Presidents Message Papyrus at Rush Ranch Volunteer photographers Partner Profile: Schene Enterprises Thank you volunteers! Activities & Events

Buzz and Kathleen Higgins, Chris Abess and Jim Reikowsky test out the trail at Lynch
Photo: Teri Engbring

Support open space and come out to run or walk at the first Lynch Canyon Trail Run and Community Hike on June 21, the summer solstice. Everyone is welcome, from seasoned runners to families and friends looking to exercise at their own pace. Three events will take place in the rolling hills and valleys of the Lynch Canyon Open Space between Vallejo and Cordelia: a half marathon, a 10k run, and a 2.5-mile community hike. Runners will loop down valleys and up ridge tops, while hikers will follow a scenic route of more moderate difficulty.
Continued on page 2

Presidents Message
Bob Berman, President

Kick off summer

Continued from page 1

Every Solano Land Trust volunteer is a true asset, though often unseen. Under the direction of Volunteer Coordinator Teri Engbring, they take on many tasks to make our day-to-day operations and special events a success. People who volunteer for SLT have divergent views, come from various parts of the county, and are in different stages of their lives. Some spend a day or two a year helping SLT, but most devote much more. All of our volunteers agree on one main point: They believe in what SLT does. Each and every volunteer is special. For example, Earl Swenerton leads wildlife tours at Jepson Prairie and bird hikes at Lynch Canyon, teaches local students through Solano Resource Conservation Districts Watershed Explorers program, and gives invaluable advice through the Lynch Canyon User Advisory Group. Kate Mawdsley has been a Jepson Prairie docent for many years and is critical to the operation by scheduling volunteers and special tours, co-leading the annual docent training, and playing a key role in planning for program and site improvements. Brett Saunders was amazing in his dedication last year. He participated in dozens of work parties at Rush Ranch and Lynch Canyon, guided mountain bike rides rides at Lynch, and much more. Linda Sonner is new to the volunteer crew this year. She compiled much needed media contact information, helped at special events, and led docent tours. Then theres Virgil Sellers, the heart of Rush Ranch. Whether he is restoring a vintage hay wagon, demonstrating blacksmith skills, or teaching in the Rush Ranch Educational Councils Patwin program, his ongoing commitment speaks volumes. And thanks to the high school students from Rodriguez, and Armijo (especially Sarah Doolittle), who helped us while meeting their community service requirements. As SLTs activities grow, so will the demand for volunteers. Got time? Contact Teri Engbring at (707) 432-0150 x200 or teri@ solanolandtrust.org.
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This event is a chance for everyone to get outdoors, escape into nature, exercise, enjoy a fun event, and support open space in our area. The run and hike is being planned, organized and presented by a dynamic team of local volunteers led by race director Chris Abess with Todd Rewick, Buzz Higgins, Eric Simoni, Jim Reikowsky, and Ann Grove.

Molly, Max, Blue and Chase Hanson hike the trails with Mary and Brooke Abess
Photo: Teri Engbring

Registration is required for participants in the half marathon ($35) and 10k ($25) trail runs. Register online before June 15 at www.active.com. Runners can also register on race day between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. for $5 more. All events start at 8:00 a.m. First place runners in each of the race categories will win an overnight stay in the new guest quarters at the historic Rush Ranch. The community hike is free and does not require advance registration. Walkers must complete the 2.5-mile hike by noon to receive official recognition. This event is presented with support from Deloitte, Kaiser Permanente, Valero Benicia Refinery, Toyota Vallejo, Fleet Feet of Vacaville, Baja Fresh, Vallejo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, FRS, Coca Cola, Power Bar, Saucony, Georgia House Graphics, Roma, Potrero Hills Landfill, Solano County Parks, and Solano Land Trust. For more information, go to www.lynchcanyontrailrun. blogspot.com, or call the race hotline at Vacaville Fleet Feet store, (707) 449-9266.

Fifty volunteers
(groups and individuals) are needed at Lynch the morning of June 21. Please call Teri Engbring at (707) 432-0150 x200.

Papyrus closes corporate headquarters to complete projects and build teams at Rush Ranch

Marilyn Farley, Executive Director

Papyrus Cares Day at Rush Ranch was a day of discovery, hard work, and accomplishment for 80 corporate volunteers. Headquartered in Fairfield, Papyrus is a company that sells high-end stationary, Renew your greeting cards and other paper products nationally through 6,000 accounts and 150 stores. membership Corporate headquarters virtually closed down on May 14 so employees could team with SLT staff today! and volunteers from Access Adventure and the Rush Ranch Educational Council to complete a series Help Solano Land Trust of much needed projects. steward the land, They painted new corral fence posts with preservative and cribbing inhibitor; installed irrigation preserve farmland, and and plants for a new Native Plant Garden around the recently installed brick patio; built a tule shade provide recreational and structure for the Patwin village; inventoried equipment and supplies for the conference room, office, educational opportunities and guest quarters; painted the power shed; protected oaks in the picnic area; and cleared the ground for schoolchildren, hikers, and installed a gravel pad around the windmill that pumps our water. bikers, birders, and Papyrus Cares Chairperson Doris Salas-Flores equestrians on our lands. and her committee did an amazing job organizing Well keep you informed the teams and preparing for all their needs, from of all the activities we tools and gloves to water and great food. She said offer, including ways her team members were eager to get hands-on with you can help. Thank you the projects, and very impressed with Rush Ranch for your contribution to and all the beautiful open space. Solano Land Trust! Papyrus company owner Dominique Schurman presented SLT with a generous grant of $3,000 to Please use the increase the already precious donation of their envelope provided or staff s time, skills and energy. donate online at Catching some shade under a tule lean-to built with At the end of the day, volunteers were personally www.solanolandtrust.org guidance from RREC volunteer Grant Ornbaun thanked by Volunteer and Education Coordinator Photo: Teri Engbring Teri Engbring for their invaluable help, and were invited to think of Rush Ranch as their new home in the country. We hope our corporate partners will enjoy the fruits of their labors at the historic ranch with their family and friends. Like many of our business partners, Papyrus has a commitment to the environment that has become an integral part of their business practice. Their website says, Papyrus is committed to protecting and preserving the environment and to conserving the worlds natural resources. Papyrus supports the paper manufacturers whose environmental management and procurement practices promote sustainability, and result in long-term environmental benefit. We promote and encourage the use of paper products made responsibly from our natural resources. Our environmental goal is to become carbon balanced and to create products that use post consumer waste and biodegradable packaging materials. Papyrus has taken the commitment a step further by partnering with Solano Land Trust to make a difference close to home. Visit their website at www.papyrusonline.com. We value this partnership and others in the corporate community. Papyrus volunteers transplant native plants and install irrigation lines Learn about our corporate partners and how to become one outside the new Nature Center Photo: Teri Engbring at www.solanolandtrust.org. 3

Volunteer photographers capture the magic of the land

Teri Engbring, Volunteer and Education Coordinator

A good picture is worth a thousand words in sharing the wonders of nature and identifying local flora and fauna. Photos make our publications, announcements, press releases and flyers far more interesting by grabbing your attention and imagination. Retired Fairfield firefighter Doug Wirtz is dedicated to photographing the magic of local wildflowers. From the vernal pools of Jepson Prairie to the ridge tops of Lynch Canyon, he has captured the exquisite detail of native plants and blooms. He is now taking shots for flower photo identification cards for guests and docents to use on SLT sites. Doug has inspired plans for a new color photo version of the Jepson Prairie Preserve handbook. When we needed a wide range of photographs of local birds to train docents to lead tours on SLT sites, we turned to Sam Steiner for dozens of photos and his expertise in preparing an informative slide show. He also donated his superb photographs and many hours in editing and layout to create Birds of SLT Properties photo ID cards that we laminated for a special gift to our volunteers at their 2007 appreciation lunch. For many years, professional photographer and adventurer Bud Turner has allowed Solano Land Trust to use his photos, including the spectacular photograph of floral gold and dramatic clouds over Olcott Lake, in a variety of publications. Jepson Prairie docents Jim Steinert and Lars Anderson have provided invaluable photos of vernal pool and grassland plants. Sam Steiner encountered this burrowing owl at its front door Avid birder Margo Watson, of Margos Beautiful Images, lets us use her photos of birds taken on our properties, and Terry Chappell has shared impressive scenic photos of Rush Ranch. Tim Baskerville specializes in Rush Ranch night photography and training. Talented volunteers, Brett Saunders and Halina (who prefers to use only her first name, like Cher) have helped us out by capturing the spirit of special events such as the fall Heritage Feast at Rush Ranch. J o rg F l e i g e i s h a l f o f a talented team that shares flower and habitat photos and information collected on frequent hikes throughout the region, including many on SLT sites. His partner is amateur botanist, Mimi Fleige, who recently led a terrific docent tour and training about wildflowers at Lynch Canyon. Jorg shoots plants, trails, and broader scenery, including the one shown on the opposite page of historic farm machinery at Rush Ranch.

Doug Wirtz in the field

Thanks to our skilled volunteer photographers w

Doug Wirtz shows the world in a dewdrop Jorg Fleige captured the drama of antique farm machines at Rush Ranch

Bud F. Turner, WildLight Photography, used a gnarly oak at King Ranch to anchor a distant view of Mt Diablo

who inspire us with their generosity and artistry.

Partner Profile (second in a series):

Schene Enterprises rolls with the changing times

Sue Wickham, Project Coordinator

Photo: Sue Wickham

Wanted!
Land Steward Ken Poerner needs a truck in good working condition, preferably 4-wheel drive. Call Ken at (707) 580-6277.

This is the second article in our series about the livestock operators who run cattle on our properties. Schene Enterprises, Inc. is well known in the livestock business throughout California. Tom Schene, along with his father Bob, son Eric, and cousin Jimmy, form the core of a family business known as Schene Enterprises, Inc., headquartered in Dixon. The family business began over 40 years ago as an auction yard in South San Francisco. They moved to Stockton for a time before finally settling in Dixon. In the early days, sheep from all over Northern California were auctioned in May and June at the Schene Enterprise Auction Yard in Dixon. The livestock gradually changed to a mix of cattle, sheep, and pigs sold at a weekly auction yard where Walmart is located today. Over time, Schene Enterprises focused on raising cattle on leased land. Today Schene Enterprises leases over 25,000 acres of land. They graze cattle on conservation properties such as King and Wilcox Ranches owned by Solano Land Trust, Bobcat Ranch owned by Audubon California, and the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area owned by the Department of Fish and Game. Schene Enterprises is a highly experienced land steward, as evidenced by the large number of conservation lands placed in their hands. Tom Schene says that overgrazing and poor management is as bad for the cattle operator as it is for the land. He notices that public agencies are working with experienced livestock operators more frequently now than in the past, forming partnerships that help to manage conservation lands for economic benefit and land stewardship. I caught up with Eric Schene at a property adjacent to Solano Land Trusts King Ranch where cows and their calves were being separated for the first time. In the noise and commotion, Eric and several others were sorting calves and encouraging them to move down chutes to be expertly loaded into transport vehicles. The calves were born in Dixon, but had been moved to King Ranch during the winter-spring grazing season where they lived with their mothers. They were now headed back to irrigated pastures in Dixon where they will graze until they weigh up to 850 pounds, and then sold to suppliers such as Harris Ranch Beef Companys all natural program. Schene Enterprises primarily raise two types of cattle: Angus for beef and Holsteins for dairy. The Holsteins are also moved from pasture to hill property. Bought as calves and owned for two years until they reach breeding age, the Holsteins are bred by artificial insemination. Just as they are ready to calve, the heifers are sold to dairies in the Central Valley . When asked what has changed in his business over the last 40 years, Tom says that marketing is a lot easier. In the past, you had to catch buyers on the phone or transport cattle to auction yards. Today the cattle are videotaped on the ranch and the tape is posted on the Internet where buyers can browse and purchase their cattle directly from the rancher. When I asked Tom how many of his grandchildren will get into the family business, he said hed just have to wait and see. He expressed concern over rising grain and fuel prices that are causing his expenses to skyrocket. These high prices also impact the feedlot operators who finish the cattle on grain. The family will continue to do their best to change with the market and the times.
Corralling calves to move them to Dixon
Photo: Sue Wickham

Thanks to the following volunteers who are critical to our success

Teri Engbring, Volunteer and Education Coordinator

As a small nonprofit, we depend upon the enthusiasm, knowledge, expertise and time of volunteers. You enhance, protect and improve our properties. You inspire and educate the public about our lands, wildlife, and natural resources. We are privileged to work with such a delightful, dedicated and capable team. On behalf of the staff and board of directors, thank you all!
Chris Abess C. J. Addington Ian Anderson Lars Anderson Frank Andrews Cindy Apaka Roger Bane Erin Beavers Bob Berman Carol Berman Darrin Berardi Randie Boardman Robert Boardman Jane Bogner Ryan Boynton Larry Broderick Brianne Bradford Melissa Bradford Kenn Browne Gerardo Bueno Marime Burton Joanne Castro Jay Chamberlin Ted Champagne Terry Chappell Terry Colborn Al Colombano Barbara Comfort Patricia Cooper Susan Cotterel Nicole Cousino Debbie Dannucci Carl Debevec Yolanda Dillinger Jeff Dittmer Leslie Dittmer Jean Dolter Sarah Doolittle Jim Dunn Mike Elliott Mary Estep Malcolm Evett Marilyn Farley John Fazel Mary Lou Fazel Cheryl Filarsky Mimi Fleige Jorg Fleige Charles Ford Elizabeth Fry Ed Gallagher Rosemary Gacutan Aleta George Roy Gill Rusty Gray Ann Grove Meg Grow Burrows Hamilton Doug Hampton Del Hardy Michael Hardy Phil Harris Ursula Heffernon Jane Hicks Buzz Higgins Doug Hintz Kathy Hoffman Jennifer Hogan Dan Homerick Bill Honeycutt Russell Huddleston Bing Huey Cheryl Hurd John Isaacson Julie Jacobs Peter Jacobsen Tineke Jacobsen Torsten Jacobsen Sheri Javius Bill Johnson Carl Joyner Christine Kenaston Esther Kerster Doris Klein Duane Kromm Halina Krukowski Nancie Lagomarsino Edla Larson Albert Lavezzo Mike Less Russell Lester Kira Levin-Stuerzl Sarah Levin-Stuerzl Monique Ligouri Sascha Lin Jim Litsinger Paul Lum Rebecca Mannion Sean Marquis Mort Marsh Debbie Martin Kate Mawdsley Mike McCarney Lindsey McWilliams J. D. Miller Bob Mintzer Beth Mintzer Jane Mitchell Jane Moody Joel Mooney Pat Moran Frank Morris Marsha Morris Pamela Muick Michael Muir Andrea Mummert Kirsti Muskat Mark Myers Pam Nelson Fred Nelson Moira Neuterman Dung Nguyen Grant Ornbaun Cathy OShea Michael OShea Marc Pandone Ann Parkinson Scott Parrish Sharon Peterson Alan Plutchok Alice Plutchok Ken Poerner Diane Powell Esther Pryor Sean Quinn Lisa Quintero Jim Reikowsky Todd Rewick Oscar Reyes Mary Ann Rich Slow Ries Jeannette Robertson Bonnie Ross Vance Russell Mike Rydjord Brett Saunders Mike Savino Dottie Schenk Suzy Scherff Mary Schiedt Michael Schmutz Janet Schunk Virgil Sellers Lisa Serafini Dan Silvia Eric Simoni Little Bear(Nieves)Sira Charlie Smith Linda Sonner Sam Steiner Michelle Steiner Jim Steinert Michelle Stevens Stephen Stringer Derek Stubbs Sandra Stubbs Karen Swan Earl Swenerton John Takeuchi Mary Takeuchi Don Taynton Robbin Thorp Mika Tolson Dan Tolson John Vasquez Liz Vasquez Amber Vierling Genevieve Walden Jim Walsh Dave Warner Margo Watson Aileen Weddell Sarah Weimer Barb Welch Ti Wellman Jerry Wickham Sue Wickham Chris White Billy Wigley Mary Kay Williams Doug Wirtz Rollye Wiskerson Carol Witham Maxine Wright Gary Wyatt Lucille Young Celia Zavatsky Mike Zeiss

Nominate your favorite volunteer!

We would like help in the challenging task of identifying an SLT Volunteer of the Year, who we will feature in our next newsletter. Please send me a brief paragraph on why your nominee qualifies for this honor by July 10, 2008. You can email it to me at teri@solanolandtrust.org, or mail it to 1001 Texas St, Suite C, Fairfield, CA 94533. Thanks.

Save the Date!

Saturday, November 1, 2008 for the SLT volunteer appreciation lunch at Rush Ranch

BOard memBers
Bob Berman,
President

Scenic Hikes with Docents and Rangers

Ian Anderson,
Secretary Treasurer

Vice President

Darrin Berardi, Frank Morris, Sean Quinn,

Immediate Past Pres.

For latest news on events and directions to our lands go to www.solanolandtrust.org

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and require no advance registration. Workday groups should call ahead. For more information on events (unless noted otherwise) contact Teri Engbring at (707) 432.0150 x200, teri@solanolandtrust. org. With the exception of Suisun Hill Trail across from Rush Ranch, dogs are not allowed on SLT properties.

Fourth Saturday of the month: Jun. 28, Jul. 26, Aug. 23, 2008. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Guided Equestrian Tour of Lynch

Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m. Reservations required. Call Christine at (707) 469-6341.

Frank J. Andrews, Jr. Jeff Dittmer Elizabeth Fry Jane Hicks John Isaacson Albert Lavezzo Russell Lester John M. Vasquez

Volunteers needed! Bay Area Ridge TrailSolano Trails Day at Lynch

Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. to noon BYO work gloves. No parking fee.

Jepson Prairie Reserve

We bid a fond farewell to springtime wildflowers and vernal pool creatures. Come back next year for our docent-led tours. Until then, take a self-guided tour of the grassland prairie any day during daylight hours.

Volunteer Workdays
Second Saturday of the month: Jul. 12, Aug. 9, Sep. 13, 2008. 9 a.m. Bring gloves and a favorite planting tool. Water, snacks and parking fee available for volunteers.

staFF
Marilyn Farley,
Executive Director

Teri Engbring, Volunteer and Education Coordinator Jennifer Fernandez,

Administrative Assistant

King and Swett Ranches

The King and Swett Ranches are currently open to the public only during staff or docent led activities.

Rush Ranch Open Space

From March to October, Rush Ranch is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rob Goldstein,

Land Transaction Specialist Nick Meckler, Field Steward Jane Moody, Bookkeeper

Scenic Hikes and Birding

First Saturday of the month: Jul. 5, Aug. 2, Sep. 6, 2008. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Moderate pace. Meet at the Park-and-Ride lot at the Hiddenbrooke Parkway/American Canyon Road exit at I-80.

Access Adventure Youth Day

Saturday, June 14, 2008. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Students and youth interns will demonstrate what theyve learned about draft horses, carriage driving and community service. Call (707) 432-0152 for details.

Cathy OConnor,
Finance Officer Planner

Jessie Olson, Restoration Ken Poerner, Land Steward Ben Wallace, Conservation
Project Manager

Lynch Canyon Open Space

Lynch Canyon is open to the public Wed. through Sun. from 8 a.m. to posted closing time. Trail maps are available at parking lot kiosk. Carry your own water. As a Solano County Park, there is a $5 per-day, per-vehicle parking fee.

Volunteer Workdays
First Saturday of the month: Jul. 5, Aug. 2, Sep. 6, 2008. 9 a.m. Get some fresh air while helping with ranch and trail maintenance. Contact Ken at (707) 580-6277.

Sue Wickham, Aleta George,

Project Coordinator

Editor, SLT Vistas

Logo design based on original art by Don Birrell

Trail Run and Community Hike

Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008. Race day registration starts at 6:30 a.m. Events begin at 8 a.m. Join the fun for the first-ever Lynch Canyon Trial Run (10K & half-marathon), and Community Hike (all ages and abilities). For more information go to www. lynchcanyontrailrun.blogspot.com.

Blacksmith Shop Demonstration & Access Adventure Carriage Rides

Third Saturday of the month: Jun. 21, Jul. 19, Aug. 16, 2008. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Watch or participate in the art of blacksmithing and explore Rush Ranch on a horse-drawn carriage.

Solano Land Trust 1001 Texas Street, Suite C Fairfield, CA 94533 (707) 432-0150

NonProfit Organization US Postage Paid Fairfield, CA 94533 Permit # 00234

Preserving Farmlands and OPen sPace thrOughOut sOlanO cOunty