Barry's path to Solano Land Trust began in the field. He started his career as a wildland firefighter in Nevada, Oregon, and California, then worked as a hydrologist and geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, and USDA Forest Service in California and Hawaii. After retiring from federal service, he worked for Santa Clara and Solano County Parks, and most recently for conservation- and agriculture-focused nonprofits in the North Bay.
Barry’s connection to Solano Land Trust goes back more than 10 years, to when he first began volunteering at King-Swett Ranch. In November 2023, he joined our staff as Senior Project Manager. In that role he managed the King, Eastern, and Vallejo Swett Ranches; led the management plan for Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park; and oversaw the Land Trust’s water rights reporting. A tireless steward, he could often be found trekking across rugged terrain alongside volunteers and staff.
Bringing Water Back to King-Swett Ranch
One of Barry’s most remarkable achievements was something many thought couldn’t be done. King-Swett Ranch has gone more than fifty years without water infrastructure for livestock, and given the area’s geology, staff had long believed a well simply wasn’t possible there. Barry consulted with agencies, consultants, ranchers, and other partners, then drew on his hydrology and geology expertise to pinpoint a well site with an excellent flow rate, enough to fully support livestock on the property. He also secured the funding to install it.
We are now installing two troughs and two tanks to complete the new water system. Why does this matter? Carefully managed cattle grazing is one of our most effective tools for controlling invasive weeds and reducing wildfire risk. Reliable water lets us use grazing more strategically across the ranch, which also helps the ranch’s California golden violets, the host plant for the endangered Callippe silverspot butterfly.
A 30-Year Goal, Nearly Complete
Barry also led the planning, permitting, engineering, contracting, and compliance work for lowering the Lynch Canyon reservoir spillway, a project thirty years in the making. His diligence, hydrology background, and willingness to dig in when projects got difficult were an enormous asset to our stewardship team. By leaning in to this project, Barry helped move forward a restoration project that will improve site safety, habitat health, and regulatory compliance.
Not Goodbye, Just See You on the Trail
Barry has been an outstanding colleague and a generous mentor to our staff. Thanks to his expertise and effort, high-priority projects that have been in the works for decades are now close to the finish line. King-Swett Ranch would not be cared for the same way without his knowledge and the time he has invested in it. We will truly miss working with him.
The good news is that Barry isn’t going far. He plans to keep volunteering with Solano Land Trust and will be conducting research at King-Swett Ranch on how coast live oaks are distributed across the property. So if you see him out on the land, be sure to say hello and thank him for all he’s done.
Thank you, Barry, for everything!
