The date for this field trip has been moved up to Tuesday, April 7!

What to see: Our trip to the “Mather Pools” in February will be an awesome preview and contrast with a wonderful opportunity to see a different type of vernal pools at Jepson Prairie Preserve south of Dixon. The pools at Rancho Cordova are hardpan pools with a water-restricting soil horizon of indurated minerals, whereas the water-restricting horizon at Jepson Prairie is a thick claypan. The soil at Jepson Prairie is more alkaline than that at the “Mather Pools”, and this affects the composition of the plant communities. Charlie Russell, an incredible wildflower photographer and volunteer with the Solano Land Trust which manages and owns the land of Jepson Prairie Preserve, will lead our tour of the Preserve. This promises to be unique opportunity to see and explore areas of the Preserve not open to visitors except through docent-led tours. April is generally the peak time for the spring phase wildflower displays in the pools. There will be gorgeous upland wildflowers to admire, too. Charlie will also be able to “dip” with a net in still-inundated Olcutt Lake so that we may be able to see some of the rare vernal pool wildlife, including tadpole shrimp and tiger salamander larvae.

Difficulty: Easy. We will be walking slowly and exploring the pools and uplands. There are port-a-potties available at the Preserve.

What to bring: Water, snacks/lunch, insect repellent, sunscreen. There is no shade, so you might like to have a hat. A handbook field guide to the Jepson Prairie vernal pools will be available for purchase at the tour. You will want your camera! A donation of $10 per person is requested; donations are used to fund supplies and expenses at the Preserve).

When: Tuesday, April 7, 10:00 am – 12 noonish.

Unfortunately, this field trip is currently full. Would you like to join the wait list below?