Science on the Land: Volunteers study seasons through plant observations

by Aleta George, Vistas editor

Standing in front of a California buckeye tree at Lynch Canyon, a group of Citizen Science volunteers tried to determine if the majority of brilliant green leaves on the tree had just started to break open or if the majority had already broken open. The question relates to phenology, the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals. Phenology is being introduced on Solano Land Trust properties through a systematic observation method developed by the National Park Service and adopted here in California through the California Phenology Project.

On an overcast March morning, 13 volunteers gathered to learn about phenology from Solano Land Trust's project manager Sue Wickham. [click HERE to read more]


Sue Wickham (second from left) and volunteers look closely at a coast live oak


Rockville Trails: Focus is now on raising $250,000 to pay off the loan and $750,000 to Complete the Endowment fund 

In addition to paying off the $250,000 loan for acquiring the property (someone from Bay Nature mistook this to mean we had not acquired it yet), we still need to raise $750,000 for the endowment fund, which will help fund the work needed to open the property to the public and manage it in perpetuity. This fund will support the work of establishing equestrian, hiking and biking trails.

 


 

Rockville Trails: Opening for Docent-led Hikes
This Spring

by Deanna Mott, Associate Director

Spring is an appropriate season to show off Rockville Trails to the public for the first time. As the last rains of the season fall and new blooms push through the soil and the colors on the landscape change, we will host our first-ever docent-led hike for the public on April 20. We are excited to share this new, awe-inspiring park with you!

Education and Outreach Coordinator Natalie DuMont has been working for several months to recruit and train docents to lead safe and informative tours on the property, and the docents are helping to coordinate the outings to help us share this special place.

We anticipate offering hikes most Saturdays. Simultaneously, the Rockville Trails sub-committee will continue to meet and discuss elements that need to be included in the management plan, and we will plot our way through the required processes.

Initially there will be two temporary parking areas that can accommodate 10 vehicles each during dry weather. We encourage everyone to carpool to maximize the number of visitors and reduce traffic and parking constraints.

It is important to know that access to Rockville Trails is only by docent-led hikes at this time. Capacity is limited, and a RSVP is required. Check the events calendar at solanolandtrust.org for more information.

 

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