Solano Land Trust Seeks Rush Ranch Docents

SUISUN CITY - Solano Land Trust is recruiting docents to teach about the ecology of Rush Ranch and Suisun Marsh. This is a brand new docent program that will complement the existing education and recreation programs at Rush Ranch.

do·cent, noun, \ˈdō-s^ənt, dō(t)-ˈsent\: a person who leads guided tours
ecol·o·gy, noun \i-ˈkä-lə-jē, e-\: a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments

No prior experience is necessary. New docents will receive four days of training, each covering a different topic about the marsh. The training dates are

• Thursday, June 9th from 6:30pm to 8pm
• Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30pm to 8pm
• Saturday, June 18th from 2pm to 5pm, and
• Thursday, June 23rd from 6:30pm to 8pm.

All trainings will be on-site at Rush Ranch: 3521 Grizzly Island Road, off Highway 12, about 2 miles south of Suisun City.

Rush Ranch is recognized as one of the best remaining brackish tidal marsh habitats in the United States, and therefore it's protected as part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (San Francisco Bay NERR). Sarah Ferner of NERR will be the expert trainer for new docents. She'll share what makes Rush Ranch so special – how it’s exceptionally rich in plants and animals; why these plants and animals depend on Rush Ranch for survival; how the marsh provides essential habitat for commercially important fish and crabs; how it filters mud from the Bay's murky waters; and how it protects the shoreline from flooding. Docents-in-training will reflect on the ways the marsh was important for Native American food and travel, and how Rush Ranch continues to serve as a living laboratory for scientific research.

Docents in this new program will share insights about the marsh, guide and inspire children and adults, and join the Solano Land Trust community.

Solano Land Trust is a public benefit organization dedicated to protecting working farms and natural areas in Solano County. 2011 is Solano Land Trust’s 25^th Anniversary. Since 1986, it has permanently protected over 20,000 acres of land for the current and future residents of Solano County.

RSVP on or before Thursday, June 9th by contacting Natalie DuMont, Solano Land Trust Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, at 707-432-0150 x200 or volunteer@SolanoLandTrust.org.

Bidding Opens for Firms to Repair Lawler Falls Park Ponds

SUISUN CITY — The Public Works Department has issued a notice to contractors seeking bids the repair and reconstruction of the Lawler Falls Park Ponds.

The public bidding process follows City Council authorization to repair and rehabilitate the ponds, which had been inoperable due to an undetermined leakage problem.

Lawler Falls Park is located in Lawler Ranch and was built in the late 1980’s. The Park has a waterfall and a two- tier lower pond basin with a circulation system. >> map >>

Last summer, KASL Consulting Engineers inspected the ponds and concluded that a new geomembrane liner be installed to prevent water seepage through the bottom of the ponds.

Qualified firms are invited to review the project plans and specifications to submit a bid by June 16. Construction work is expected to begin shortly thereafter.

The work plan requires the removal of the existing ponds and reconstructing them with a new liner to prevent leaking issues that kept the ponds from functioning properly.

>> Click here for the Notice to Contractor information >>

>> Read related staff report to the City Council >>

"Spring Fling" Saturday Celebrates Kroc Center Progress

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Salvation Army serving Solano County invites the entire community to participate in Saturday's "Spring Fling" to celebrate the progress of the Suisun City Kroc Center.

This community barbecue with jumphouses, inflatables, games, giveaways, music and much more will run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the facility adjacent to Hall Park on Pintail at East Wigeon Way. >> map >>

The Salvation Army believes this community center will play a vital role to enhance and improve the lives of individuals and families living throughout Solano County. This new community center will offer people ways to improve the health of their mind, body and soul, enabling individuals to grow and improve themselves in all aspects of life.

The Salvation Army serving Solano County is pleased to announce that construction of this multi-million dollar life enrichment center is about to begin, the first step in the creation and implementation of this important project.

When complete, this community center will boast a full aquatic center, community rooms, cardio and weight machines, banquet and party facilities, a rock climbing wall as well as multiple group fitness areas and a chapel and performing arts center.

“This event will be an opportunity for the community to come together and learn more about this center and what it will be offering to them,” said Captain Jonathan Harvey, Suisun City Corps Officer. “We will have lots of fun things for the entire family, including a bbq lunch, bounce house for the children, and most importantly, a chance for neighbors to get to know each other.”

For more information about the Kroc Center, go to www.suisunkroc.org