Within the property’s boundaries is one of the best remaining examples of a brackish tidal marsh habitat in the United States. Once a continuous tidal marsh habitat, the greater Suisun Marsh is now a vast complex of wetlands owned privately by local duck clubs. Only about 10 square miles of the historic tidal marsh remains, one-tenth of which occurs at Rush Ranch.
What’s special about a brackish tidal marsh? It is an important habitat for fish, bird and plant species, including many that are threatened and endangered such as the salt marsh harvest mouse, Suisun ornate shrew, Delta smelt, Sacramento splittail, giant garter snake, California clapper rail, California black rail, Suisun song sparrow, and the American white pelican. Approximately 230 different species of birds have been seen throughout the marsh and grassland habitats, and plant communities range from spring wildflowers to native bunchgrass and marsh-adapted vegetation.

Visit the Blacksmith Shop and Bay Area Barns to learn about traditional crafts and ranching history. Engage with hands-on demonstrations during special events and experience the living legacy of Rush Ranch’s agricultural roots.

Before European settlement, Patwin Native Americans summered on the property for thousands of years. The Suisunes, a sub tribe of the Patwins, likely hunted tule elk, grizzly bears and waterfowl, fished in the Suisun slough, and gathered plants for food and medicine. It is estimated that there were about 2,300 Patwins living in the area of Solano County in 1800, but the population soon plummeted to zero due to disease, forced moves to Spanish Missions and battles with Europeans. By 1823, there were no observed Native Americans left in the area, only abandoned and destroyed village sites.
For most of the 20th century, the ranch was operated by the Rush family, and unlike other landowners adjacent to the Suisun Marsh, they did not dike or otherwise significantly alter the tidal action on their property. With most tidal marshes in the United States managed or filled, their decision to leave the marsh to natural tidal ebbs and flows has proven to be an important contribution to tidal marsh science as a premier tidal habitat and in protecting plant and animal species of the marsh.
Purchased by Solano Land Trust in 1988 with a grant from the Coastal Conservancy, Rush Ranch was designated as part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in 2003. Solano Land Trust works in close partnership with the Rush Ranch Educational Council, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that promotes education and public outreach programs for the ranch.

Rush Ranch is a hotspot for biodiversity, home to:

Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse: An endangered species unique to tidal wetlands.
Birdlife: A paradise for birdwatchers, with species like the white-tailed kite, great blue heron, and marsh wren.
Flora: Native grasses and wetland vegetation adapted to brackish waters.

Explore over 3 miles of trails, including:

Marsh Trail: A flat, accessible path with sweeping views of the Suisun Marsh.
South Pasture Trail: A scenic route through rolling grasslands.
Hill Slough Trail: For a more adventurous hike with panoramic vistas.

Rush Ranch offers numerous opportunities for learning and community engagement, including:

• Monthly guided nature walks and marsh tours.
• Family-friendly events like "Get the Rush."
• Field trips for students focused on ecology and conservation.