Solano County Water Agency, Putah Creek Council acquire Yolo ranch

Sackett Ranch, between Winters and Lake Berryessa, may serve as headquarters for the Council’s restoration, conservation, and education efforts along Putah Creek

A bucolic ranch tucked away in the hills between Winters and Lake Berryessa may serve as the new headquarters for the Putah Creek Council’s restoration, conservation, and education efforts along creek that gives the council its name.

The owners of Sackett Ranch, Mary Helen and John “Cedar” Seeger, are “moving on” after more than three decades of managing a thriving nursery business there, Kenny Liner, executive director of the council, said in a press release.

“The ranch is changing ownership and changing direction” with the combined help of Solano County Water Agency and the council, he added in the prepared statement.

A Winters- based nonprofit organization started more than 30 years ago, Putah Creek Council, which protects and enhances its namesake creek, watershed and tributaries, “has always envisioned a space to bring together its environmental stewardship and education programs,” and the ranch appears to be that place, noted Liner.

But the council couldn’t acquire the property on its own, he said.

“That’s when SCWA graciously stepped in with financial and moral support,” he explained, adding, “SCWA saw the potential of the property and knew its value in their own restoration efforts along Putah Creek.”

Roland Sanford, general manager for the Vacaville-based agency, which, through the Federal Solano Project and the North Bay Aqueduct, provides water to cities and Solano farming districts, said, “Sackett Ranch is a treasure whose value to the community, from so many different perspectives, will only increase with time.”

As for the future of the ranch, council members have plenty of ideas and plans for how to use the property to its full potential, Liner said.

First on the list is converting a portion of the existing nursery into a workspace for the council’s native plant nursery.

“Caring for and sharing a piece of land along the creek will help us find a deeper understanding of why it is so important to keep the creek a beautiful and thriving part of the region,” said Brian Keeley, director of the council’s stewardship department. “In the future, there will be lots of opportunities for volunteers.”

“The ranch is in such a vital location in the interdam reach between lakes Berryessa and Solano, giving us a dedicated spot for long-term outdoor education programs,” said Nina L., director of the council’s education department (and whose last name was listed as an initial only). “Participants in our programs will be able to spend time along the creek’s riparian corridor, or in the rolling foothills. It’s a fascinating place that will provide inspiration, not only for our staff, but also for the community that we serve.”

Fortunately, the ranch suffered no structure loss from the August LNU Lightning Complex fires due to “an effective fire defense plan and system,” Liner noted.

“The future is looking very bright for Putah Creek Council,” he said. “This was the missing piece that will propel the council toward its larger, long-term strategic goals. Everyone at the council is so grateful for this opportunity to reach heights never before achieved by our organization. We can’t wait to continue serving the community from this new space and expand our role of watershed protection.”

For the Seegers, the change prompted reflection and treasured memories.

“We will miss the sounds of geese and ducks flying up the creek, cottonwood leaves rustling in the wind and water chortling over the rocky section of the (channel),” said Mary Helen.

Added Cedar, “Favorite times have been sitting on the porch after work, playing the guitar until dusk, then watching bats and owls silently flying in the conifer grove we planted. We’ll miss living here, but we’ll be back as a part of Putah Creek Council’s activities.”

Mary Helen continued, “While volunteering at Putah Creek Council nursery in Davis, I learned PCC wanted to expand their nursery operation. This led to a wider and exciting discussion of the ranch becoming the headquarters for the council’s restoration, conservation, and education efforts” along the creek.

For more information, visit www.putahcreekcouncil.org.