Solano Land Trust
Solano Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that permanently protects over 25,000 acres of agricultural and open-space lands in Solano County, California, operating five public-access properties and conservation easements funded by grants, donations, and volunteers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersSuisun City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Solano Land Trust does
Solano Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1986 (originally as the Solano County Farmlands and Open Space Foundation, renamed in 2004) and headquartered in Vacaville, California. Its core function is the permanent protection of agricultural lands, ranches, and natural open space in Solano County, accomplished through direct land ownership, conservation easements (permanent legal agreements extinguishing development rights on working farms and ranches), and habitat restoration. The Trust directly owns and manages five protected properties totaling more than 12,000 acres of publicly accessible open space — Jepson Prairie Preserve, King-Swett Ranches, Lynch Canyon Open Space Park, Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park (opened August 2024), and Rush Ranch Open Space — and has secured conservation easements on nearly 14,000 acres of agricultural land, with close to 400 additional acres in progress. Rush Ranch has been part of NOAA's San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve since 2003, supporting tidal marsh research and habitat restoration including the Goat Island Tidal Marsh Restoration project.
Underlying technology and operational platforms are domain-specialized rather than technology-led: an in-house GIS program built on ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online manages spatial data, conservation easement mapping, and field-based monitoring across farms and ranches. Digital touchpoints are lightweight and outsourced — Firespring-built marketing website, e2ma.net for the monthly newsletter, Loxo for applicant tracking, Jotform for research permits — with no public API, proprietary software product, or AI/ML capabilities disclosed.
The business model is a nonprofit contributions-and-grants model rather than a commercial revenue model. Funding sources include individual tax-deductible donations, recurring giving, business partnerships and event sponsorships (cultivated through the annual Business Partners Breakfast), institutional grants from the California State Coastal Conservancy, the California State Environmental Protection Agency, and Resource Legacy, plus modest earned revenue from $5/vehicle parking fees at Lynch Canyon and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi and suggested $5 donations for Jepson Prairie tours. Customers/stakeholders include 20,000 annual visitors, 350 volunteers contributing $178K of volunteer time, 3,000 student visitors through the Put a Child on the Land program, farmland/ranch landowners granting easements, corporate business partners, and major donors in the Heritage Oak Society ($200K+). Distribution of public access runs through Solano Land Trust properties themselves plus an operations partnership with Solano County Parks, which runs Lynch Canyon and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi on the Trust's behalf.
Solano Land Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Solano Land Trust
- Legal name
- Solano Land Trust
- Website
- https://solanolandtrust.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Solano Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that permanently protects over 25,000 acres of agricultural and open-space lands in Solano County, California, operating five public-access properties and conservation easements funded by grants, donations, and volunteers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Solano Land Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Land Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- SIC
- Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)
Keywords
Where Solano Land Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Suisun City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Solano Land Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals (501c3 nonprofit). Refunds via original payment method; supports general operations and property stewardship.
- Grants and Major Gifts: Institutional grants and major donor contributions. Includes $1.507M California State Coastal Conservancy grant (historic Rush Ranch purchase), $654,000 grant for 74-acre walnut orchard conservation easement (Dixon), pending $4M state EPA and $3M Coastal Conservancy grants for Goat Island Marsh, and Heritage Oak Society contributions at $200,000+ levels.
- Business Partnerships and Event Sponsorships: Sponsorships from business partners (event sponsorship, in-kind donations, pro-bono services) cultivated through annual Business Partners Breakfast and ongoing partner relationships.
- Parking and Visitor Fees: Modest parking fees at open space properties ($5 per vehicle at Lynch Canyon and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi, payable by cash or card at kiosk). Special events are free.
- Program and Activity Revenue: Revenue generated from program activities (e.g., ~$14,000 in revenue from ~3,000 visitors to Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park since opening in August 2024). Jepson Prairie tours suggest a $5 minimum donation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Parking fees at open space parks ($5/vehicle) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Suggested donation for Jepson Prairie Wildflower & Critter Walks |
| Freemium | Annual | Golden Bear Pass (free for qualifying Californians) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels12 records
Solano Land Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Solano Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that permanently protects natural and agricultural land in Solano County, California by directly owning and stewarding more than 12,000 acres of public-access open space across five properties (Jepson Prairie Preserve, King-Swett Ranches, Lynch Canyon, Rush Ranch, and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi) and by holding nearly 14,000 acres of perpetual conservation easements on working farms and ranches. It delivers complementary programs including conservation easement acquisition services, environmental education (Put a Child on the Land), public events and docent-led tours, habitat restoration projects, and Indigenous co-stewardship partnerships.
Product overview
Solano Land Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit land conservation organization that operates a unified portfolio of five protected open-space properties in Solano County, California — Jepson Prairie Preserve, King-Swett Ranches, Lynch Canyon Open Space Park, Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park, and Rush Ranch Open Space — together totaling more than 12,000 acres of natural habitat, with an additional nearly 14,000 acres of agricultural land protected through the Farmland Protection Program's Conservation Easements (plus close to 400 acres in progress). The physical land portfolio is complemented by a service layer consisting of the Put a Child on the Land educational program, a Recurring Events Program (Astronomy Nights, Monthly Hikes, Bird of Prey Hikes, Kite Festival, Get the Rush!, etc.), the Goat Island Tidal Marsh Restoration project at Rush Ranch, and digital touchpoints including a Member Portal and a Monthly Newsletter. The Trust has permanently protected over 25,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands since its founding in 1986 as the Solano County Farmlands and Open Space Foundation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Jepson Prairie Preserve Protected vernal pool and native bunchgrass prairie ecosystem at 4845 Cook Lane in Dixon, California; home to ten endangered species (Delta green ground beetle, Conservancy fairy shrimp, Solano grass, etc.). Offers a half-mile self-guided loop trail and weekend docent-led tours mid-March through mid-May.
- King-Swett Ranches Undeveloped working ranches in the hills between Fairfield, Benicia, and Vallejo supporting a $1 million habitat restoration project for the threatened California red-legged frog, rare butterflies (including the Calippe Silverspot), burrowing owls, and endangered frog species; includes a $50,000 well construction project supporting year-round cattle grazing.
- Lynch Canyon Open Space Park 1,000+ acre open space park owned by Solano Land Trust and operated in partnership with Solano County Parks. Features hiking trails, the 18th Annual Kite Festival, and a reservoir spillway habitat restoration project for the threatened red-legged frog. Accepts the Golden Bear Pass for free vehicle day-use.
- Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park 1,500-acre open space park blending coastal and valley woodlands with cultural significance to the Patwin people of the Wintun tribe. Developed with inclusivity in mind, including the Heidi Y Campini All People's Trail (accessible trail for all ages and abilities) and the Doris Klein Ridge Trail (part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail network). Accepts the Golden Bear Pass.
- Rush Ranch Open Space 2,070-acre protected open space at 3521 Grizzly Island Road, Suisun City, California, designated as part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve since 2003. Includes the Goat Island Tidal Marsh Restoration project, over 3 miles of trails, a Blacksmith Shop, Bay Area Barns, and educational programs. Open 7 days a week year-round.
- Farmland Protection Program (Conservation Easements) Program offering Conservation Agreements/Easements — permanent legal agreements that extinguish development rights by transferring them to Solano Land Trust, keeping working farms and ranches in agricultural production. Nearly 14,000 acres of conservation easements secured, with close to 400 additional acres in progress, supported by grant funding such as the $654,000 Dixon walnut orchard easement.
- Put a Child on the Land (Educational Program) Educational program that funds student field trips at protected properties, reaching 3,000 student visitors annually. Includes partnerships such as Musical Field Journal Training with Musica Sierra that equip educators with tools connecting music, nature, and hands-on learning.
- Recurring Events Program Series of recurring educational and recreational events including Astronomy Nights at Rush Ranch (monthly May–September with astronomer Jon Pannier), Monthly Hikes, Bird of Prey Hikes, Open House events, Sunday Supper, Wildflower & Critter Walks at Jepson Prairie Preserve, Get the Rush! family events, the Lynch Canyon Kite Festival, and Country Night at Rush Ranch Concert.
- Goat Island Tidal Marsh Restoration Long-running tidal marsh restoration project at Rush Ranch that will restore tidal flows to the 80-acre Goat Island area, including construction of a public-access trail and boardwalk into the marsh. In partnership with the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.
Quantifiable outcome
- Permanently protected over 25,000 acres of natural areas and agricultural lands
- +10 more outcomes
Companies that use Solano Land Trust
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Solano Land Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
Solano Land Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship / core, core and minor.
- Solano County Parksflagship / coreSolano County Parks operates Lynch Canyon Open Space and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park on behalf of Solano Land Trust. Joint Trail Crew volunteer Service Days held the second Saturday at Lynch Canyon and fourth Saturday at Patwino. Waives parking fees for major events like the Kite Festival. Named as a key partner for land stewardship and public access.
- Solano Countyflagship / coreSolano County is a founding partner. Co-stewardship of parks and partnership for Golden Bear Pass expansion at Lynch Canyon and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi (announced October 9, 2024). Solano County Parks Services Manager Chris Drake quoted on the partnership.
- City of FairfieldcoreListed as a partner of Solano Land Trust. Working with Fairfield to find a way to combine Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park with the city's Rockville Hills park right down the road.
- California State Parksflagship / coreCo-announced (October 9, 2024) acceptance of the Golden Bear Pass at Lynch Canyon Open Space Park and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park. Director Armando Quintero quoted on partnership. Aligned with Governor Newsom's 'Outdoors for All' initiative.
- Yocha Dehe Wintun NationcorePatwin people of the Wintun tribe partnered on the development of Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park. Patwino name and Heritage Oak Society donor recognition acknowledges partnership; sensitive cultural areas in the back of the park are protected in consultation with the tribe.
- National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERR)flagship / corePartner on the Goat Island Marsh restoration project at Rush Ranch. Rush Ranch (designated since 2003) is part of a NERR site along with China Camp State Park, supporting critical research on marsh ecosystems and providing community education.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreNOAA uses Rush Ranch as part of its global research program. One of 30 sites in the National Estuarine Research Reserve system.
- Solano Resource Conservation DistrictcorePartner on the Marshes Matter Program at Rush Ranch Open Space. Co-authored May 18, 2026 news story on spring programming with elementary school students at Rush Ranch.
- Rush Ranch Educational CouncilcoreAll-volunteer nonprofit organization promoting education and public outreach programs for Rush Ranch. Works in close partnership with Solano Land Trust.
- Musica SierraminorCo-hosted Musical Field Journal Training with Solano Land Trust on June 17, 2026 — a professional development event for educators blending music, nature, and hands-on learning.
- Bay Area Ridge Trailflagship / coreWorking with partners in hopes of opening a new section of the Ridge Trail across the Vallejo Swett Ranch Property connecting Blue Rock Springs Park and Hiddenbrooke Ridge Trail sections. Co-hosted Very Important Trail Outing (VIT) on May 9, 2026. New section would extend Ridge Trail from Benicia-Martinez Bridge to Napa County line.
- IL Fiorello Olive Oil CompanycoreFundraising partnership with the organic olive oil company. Owner Ann Sievers publicly cited as a supporter; company raised money for Solano Land Trust (article dated August 28, 2025).
- NorCal Bats (Corky Quirk)minorCorky Quirk from NorCal Bats leading July 2026 special workshop at Get the Rush! at Rush Ranch.
- Potrero GroupminorExecutive search firm conducting COO search for Solano Land Trust. Senior Consultant Jena Kuznik is the search lead. Applications due April 13, 2026; start date Summer 2026.
- Dr. Jaymee MartyminorAcademic/research partner leading the May 22, 2026 Bumble Bee Field ID Class at Rush Ranch Nature Center in partnership with Solano Land Trust. Introduced the California Bumble Bee Atlas project to volunteers.
- Paul JohnsonminorLocal butterfly expert leading the June 11, 2026 community science butterfly count at King Ranch (Benicia Butterfly Count) in partnership with Solano Land Trust.
- Bay NatureminorMedia partner/earned media outlet featuring Solano Land Trust stories. Author Nate Seltenrich published 'Where to See Vernal Pools This Spring' on March 19, 2026, citing Jepson Prairie and quoting stewardship manager Jasmine Westbrook-Barsukov.
- Heritage Oak Societyflagship / coreHeritage Oak Society donors ($200,000 or more) recognized with a plaque at Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park. Plays a critical role in the development of the park.
- California ForeverCalifornia Forever (proposed 400,000-person city in Solano County) is referenced as a development pressure concern, not a partner. At least 21 imperiled species depend on ecosystems where the new city could be built; Jepson Prairie is near the proposed community. Solano Land Trust leadership cited California Forever's ~70,000-acre holdings as a major policy concern.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Solano Land Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sonoma Land Trust: Bay Area accredited land trust protecting working lands and open space in Sonoma County. Most directly comparable to Solano Land Trust in mission, accredited status, conservation easement programs, and California Bay Area geography.
- Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT): Bay Area land trust dedicated to protecting agricultural land through conservation easements. Strongly comparable to Solano Land Trust's Farmland Protection Program and Solano County agricultural land focus.
- Sacramento Valley Conservancy: Northern California accredited land trust focused on open space and habitat protection. Comparable nonprofit land trust model with conservation easement and public access programming in similar California geography.
- Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST): Bay Area accredited land trust focused on permanent land protection and public access. Comparable nonprofit model, conservation easement work, and Bay Area geography, with a larger portfolio and donor base.
- Contra Costa Land Trust: Adjacent East Bay area accredited land trust protecting natural and agricultural lands. Comparable mission, Bay Area geography, and easement-based farmland protection approach.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy (California): Global conservation nonprofit with major California operations focused on land protection, habitat restoration, and species conservation. Overlaps mission on tidal marsh and vernal pool conservation but operates at much larger scale.
- Land Trust Alliance: National umbrella organization that accredits land trusts including Solano Land Trust. Not a direct operator but a sector-wide incumbent governing standards, accreditation, and advocacy for the U.S. land trust community.
- East Bay Regional Park District: Public-sector park operator serving the East Bay with 73,000+ acres of parks. Comparable public-access recreation and trail management model, but funded by taxes and government-owned rather than private donations and easements.
Regional players
- Save the Sound: Regional nonprofit focused on Long Island Sound watershed protection with habitat restoration and education programs. Comparable nonprofit conservation model and estuarine habitat focus, but different geography.
Others
- Solano County Parks: Direct operations partner that runs Lynch Canyon and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi on Solano Land Trust's behalf. Closely intertwined but a public-sector peer rather than a competing nonprofit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Solano Land Trust social profiles
Digital presenceSolano Land Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Solano Land Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Solano Land Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Solano Land Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Solano Land Trust
What does Solano Land Trust do?
Solano Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that permanently protects natural and agricultural land in Solano County, California by directly owning and stewarding more than 12,000 acres of public-access open space across five properties (Jepson Prairie Preserve, King-Swett Ranches, Lynch Canyon, Rush Ranch, and Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi) and by holding nearly 14,000 acres of perpetual conservation easements on working farms and ranches. It delivers complementary programs including conservation easement acquisition services, environmental education (Put a Child on the Land), public events and docent-led tours, habitat restoration projects, and Indigenous co-stewardship partnerships.
Is Solano Land Trust a public or private company?
Solano Land Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Solano Land Trust founded?
Solano Land Trust was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Solano Land Trust based?
Solano Land Trust is headquartered in Suisun City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Solano Land Trust make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are grants and Major Gifts, business Partnerships and Event Sponsorships, parking and Visitor Fees and program and Activity Revenue.
Who are Solano Land Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sonoma Land Trust, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), Sacramento Valley Conservancy, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and Contra Costa Land Trust. Broad incumbents are The Nature Conservancy (California), Land Trust Alliance and East Bay Regional Park District. Save the Sound is listed as a regional player. Solano County Parks is listed as an others.
Does Solano Land Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Solano Land Trust.
What industry is Solano Land Trust in?
Solano Land Trust's product category is Land Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAC, Land Trusts & Protected Areas, with a secondary code of AFAMAMAH, Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services. Its NAICS code is 11531 and its SIC code is 800.