Spring Season Brings the Marshes Matter Program to Rush Ranch Open Space
Suisun City, California – Elementary school students from across Solano County have explored the
unique ecosystem of the Suisun Marsh this spring thanks to the Marshes Matter Program, a field trip
program at Rush Ranch Open Space conducted this year through a partnership between the Solano Land
Trust, who owns and operates Rush Ranch, and Solano Resource Conservation District.
To kick off the season on February 5th, 59 fourth grade students from Dan O. Root Elementary in Suisun
City joined docents for their field trip. After a brief introduction about the history of Rush Ranch and the
Patwin people, on whose traditional lands they were hiking, students split into four groups with
experienced volunteer docents from Solano Land Trust leading the way.
Stephanie Stock, Education Program Manager at Solano Resource Conservation District, noted that the
“excitement was palpable” among the students, many of whom said this was their first-ever field trip.
The curriculum for the Marshes Matter program, geared toward older elementary students, encourages
hands-on experiences and student-driven exploration. Students learn why it is important to protect tidal
marshes like the Suisun Marsh, and they see first-hand some of the plants and animals for whom the
marsh is a crucial habitat. Students participate in a scavenger hunt over the course of their field trip and
check off any plants or animals they encounter.
Di Holokahi, Engagement Specialist at the Solano Land Trust, noted that the program offers a special
opportunity for local students as they explore and “realize how valuable the Suisun Marsh is – and that
it’s located right in their backyard!”
One group of Dan O. Root students, led by docent Kathy, took in an expansive view of the Suisun Marsh
and were encouraged to follow the path of the marsh’s brackish water by noting the color change in the
plant life. Another group, led by docent Katie, examined pickleweed, one of the plants well-adapted for
living in the marsh’s salty water. A third group, after a stop in the barn to spot the resident barn owl,
was treated to a hands-on display of snakes from reptile enthusiast and docent Dennis.
On April 28th, a group of 96 fourth grade students from Foxboro Elementary in Vacaville had their field
trip. They learned about how tulle in the marsh creates a habitat for small fish who need to hide from
predators, and they also spent time looking at animal skulls displayed by the docents and learning how
to tell what animals eat by looking at their teeth.
One Foxboro student remarked, “The more you look around, the more you notice; the more you know
about what you're noticing, the more interesting the world is.” By the end of the field trip program,
students have built a greater appreciation for the natural world, as well as practiced their observation skills and spent time formulating questions for further investigation.
Elementary-aged students from a total of ten grade-level cohorts from eight schools around the county will have participated in the program by the end of the school year. Teachers interested in next year’s program can email Di Holokahi at di@solanolandtrust.org for more information.
