Land trust to establish 'off-the-grid' nature center
SOLANO COUNTY: Site near marsh will function on solar, wind power
By Danielle Samaniego
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
With $1 million secured, the Solano Land Trust is preparing to break ground on a nature center that would turn its Rush Ranch near Fairfield into a science hub for professionals and students alike. Plans are to build an "off-the-grid" nature center and new caretaker residence, complete with restrooms and a classroom with nature displays, a working lab, offices and living quarters for visiting scientists. Solar and wind energy will provide most of the center's power needs because Rush Ranch is not connected to the power grid, according to the trust. "Our goal would be to have different programs going on, suitable for all sorts of classes and events," said Marilyn Farley, executive director of the land trust. "Another goal is to educate people about the marsh and the habitat and have more people have an opportunity to see what's there." Construction is expected to begin in July, trust officials said. Rush Ranch protects 2,070 acres of Solano County marsh and rolling hills located on Grizzly Island Road, two miles off of Highway 12. According to the trust, the preserve is considered one of the best remaining examples of brackish marsh habitat in the United States and is home to rare and endangered plants and animals. Plans for the nature center kicked off last year thanks to a $500,000 grant from the National Estuarine Research Reserve, a Rush Ranch partner. Just last month, the State Coastal Conservancy granted $500,000 toward the center, which is expected to cost about $1 million to complete. "The property is and has always been a part of the work of the land trust ... and it provides a lot of education to school children and the public -- not only of the nature of the marsh, but the history of the area as well," said Bob Berman, president of the trust's board. He added that the nature center will enhance the land "just in terms of making a better visitor attraction and in terms of Rush Ranch." Another benefit will be having a caretaker on site 24 hours a day, trust officials said. With the center now financially on track, the trust is looking to raise $2 million for a stewardship endowment fund to pay for annual costs of preserving and managing Rush Ranch's natural resources. It would also support the nature center, wildlife habitat improvements, trail construction and repairs and educational and research programs. An anonymous donor just gave $250,000 and pledged up to $200,000 more if the trust can raise $450,000 from other supporters before Oct. 1. The Solano Land Trust, formed in 1986, aims to protect open space for public access and farming, either by buying the land outright or by acquiring conservation easements.
Reach Danielle Samaniego at 925-943-8011 or dsamaniego@cctimes.com.
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