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Hike at King-Swett Ranches
Saturday,
NOV
7, 2015
9:00 AM SOLANO LAND TRUST — King-Swett Ranches Come explore the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo! You'll be led by Jim Walsh and/or James Chang, both expert Solano Land Trust guides who know this area—known as the King-Swett Ranches—inside out. They'll share insights about the birds and other wildlife that call this area home, and give you a great workout! Take advantage of this special opportunity if you can because the King-Swett Ranches are otherwise closed. Bring: a backpack with plenty of water and snacks, boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with tread for rugged, steep, and slippery off-trail terrain, long, sturdy pants and layered clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, protection from the elements (sun, wind, fog, rain). Recommended: binoculars, camera, bug repellent, hiking sticks, gaiters. Participants of all ages are welcome, but they must be prepared: a strenuous pace hiking 4-6 miles off-trail, up and down rugged, steep, and slippery hills that are full of sticky seeds, thorny plants, and thistle. The King-Swett Ranches are working ranches—cattle are free range so they roam as they please. Very heavy rain cancels—call Jim at 916-870-4824 if the weather is uncertain. The hike is free; donations are appreciated. No reservations are necessary but an RSVP would be appreciated to Jim at 916-870-4824 or by email. Leader: Jim Walsh or James Chang Location: Vallejo DIRECTIONS: Meet Jim and/or James promptly at the Park-and-Ride lot where McGary Road, Hiddenbrooke Parkway, and American Canyon Road intersect (on the Hiddenbrooke side of the American Canyon/Hiddenbrooke Parkway exit, off Interstate 80). (Jim has a white "TruGreen" pickup truck). Be ready to carpool or caravan from there. |
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REI - Ridge Trail Service Day
Saturday,
NOV
7, 2015
9:00 AM REI, BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL, & SOLANO LAND TRUST — Benicia State Recreation Area The REI - Ridge Trail Service Day is the Council's largest event, with hundreds of volunteers building and improving the Ridge Trail all around the Bay Area! Each Bay Area REI store partners with a local land manager to host a volunteer trail work party on a nearby section of the Ridge Trail. In Solano County, we will team up with California State Parks to work on trail-tread repair, non-native plant removal, brushing the trail, trash pick-up, split rail fence installation, or sign repair in Benicia State Recreation Area. Ages 12 and up are welcome to participate with adult supervision. While you're working in Solano County, other volunteers around the Bay Area will be working at 11 different sites. All of you will be rewarded with delicious burritos donated by Chipotle! For more information and to register, please visit us online. Registration is required. Location: 1 State Park Rd Fairfield DIRECTIONS: Take the Columbus Parkway exit off of I-780. |
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Volunteer Opportunity: Ranch Crew
Saturday,
NOV
7, 2015
9:00 AM SOLANO LAND TRUST — Rush Ranch Help care for Rush Ranch through maintenance, construction, litter removal, and other improvement projects. Ages 12 and up are welcome—under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tools are provided. Bring a backpack with plenty of water and snacks, heavy work gloves, eye protection (e.g., sunglasses). Wear boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with tread for rough, steep, and slippery terrain, long, sturdy pants and layered clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, protection from sun, wind, and fog. Optional: bug repellent. RSVP online to Ken Poerner at or call 707-580-6277 so he can bring enough tools. Rain cancels. Call Ken if the weather is uncertain. Meet in the Rush Ranch courtyard. Leader: Ken Poerner Location: 3521 Grizzly Island Road Suisun City DIRECTIONS: From Hwy 12 in Suisun City, take Grizzly Island Road south approximately 2 miles. Entrance/driveway will be on the right. |
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Garden Volunteer Day
Saturday,
NOV
7, 2015
9:30 AM BENICIA STATE PARKS ASSOCIATION — Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden We meet every Saturday from 9:30-11:30am in the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden located at the Benicia State Park Recreation Area for planting, weeding, and tending. Parking is free on Saturday Volunteer Days. Tell the Gate Attendant that you are going into the Park to work at the Garden. Location: I-780 at Columbus Parkway Benicia State Park Recreation Area Benicia |
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Garden Guys
Saturday,
NOV
7, 2015
10:00 AM GVRD — McIntyre Ranch Bring the family for activities and learn how the garden grows from seeds to fruits. Participants will share ideas on what to plant, will be allowed to harvest and take home the fruits from the garden. For more information contact the Coordinator at 648-4552. Cost: $10/class resident, $12/class nonresident. Pre-registration is required, and can be completed online. Leader: Dee Davis & Nicki Belinger Entrance Fee: $12 Registration is required. Location: Vallejo DIRECTIONS: McIntyre Ranch, located at the very end of St. John’s Mine Road, across from the Solano Community College Vallejo Center at 545 Columbus Parkway. Take St. John’s Mine Road and cross over the cattle crossing. |
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Peña Adobe Open House & Kid's Day
Saturday,
NOV
7, 2015
11:00 AM PEÑA ADOBE HISTORICAL SOCIETY & RUSH RANCH EDUCATIONAL COUNCIL — Peña Adobe Park Join the Peña Adobe Historical Society for our monthly Open House. Welcoming this month's guests will be Marshall West, portraying General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, and local author Sharon McGriff-Payne. In 1833, General Vallejo became the Commander of the Presidio of San Francisco and later founded the town of Sonoma. He was granted Rancho Petaluma in 1834 by the Mexican government and by 1835 Vallejo held the highest military command in Northern California. In the summer of 1846 a band of Americans declared war on Mexico and arrested General Vallejo. After filing their grievances, the band raised the Bear Flag and declared independence for California. West's presentation will also include a Question & Answer segment. John Grider, an early African American pioneer, settled in Vallejo in 1850 and was a member of the Bear Flag Party. He is the subject of McGriff-Payne’s book, John Grider Century: African Americans in Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties from 1845 to 1925. Dogs are allowed on leashes. For more information, call (707) 447-0518 or visit our website. Location: 4699 Peña Adobe Road Vacaville DIRECTIONS: The park is located on Peña Adobe Road just off of Interstate 80. |
