Benicia & Vallejo Food Forest Garden Tour Celebrates Its 10th Year!

Apr 2, 2026

By Nicole Newell, Sustainable Landscaping Program Manager

Every community has their magical spots and events that only locals know about. I consider our annual garden tour, this year on April 25, one of those special events. It is the sweetest part of our world — kind people that want to open their yards to inspire, to talk about plants, and to see what grows well in USDA garden zone 9b. This will celebrate our 10th year touring the food forest gardens!

Register here!

The tour has evolved over the years to include other types of gardens for a variety of inspiration. This year’s garden tour showcases a mix of new garden sites, established permaculture food forests, native landscapes, community gardens and more. In partnership with the Willis L Jepson chapter of the California Native Plant Society, we are featuring four dedicated native plant gardens. Join us to meet passionate local gardeners, explore real-life examples of flourishing food forests, and get inspired to grow your own edible paradise.

The day opens at 9 am with Lori Caldwell, a.k.a. “Compost Gal,” presenting on healthy soil at Avant Garden in Benicia. Attendees can pick up the itinerary of participating gardens at Avant in the morning and visit Benicia gardens from 10 am-1 pm and Vallejo gardens from 1-4 pm. For those just able to join for the afternoon, there will be an opportunity to pick up the Vallejo itinerary at Pollinator Pathway on Mare Island from 12-1 pm. You can visit gardens at your own pace on this self-guided tour.

Learn more about the gardens on the tour here!

How It Will Work

You can choose to tour for the whole day or for half a day.
Benicia Demonstration Food Forest Gardens will be open 10 am-1 pm
Vallejo Demonstration Food Forest Gardens will be open 1-4 pm

Register here

Itinerary pickup:

9-11 am: Itineraries will be available at Avant Garden in Benicia (400 First St., Benicia). This itinerary will include all of the demonstration food forest gardens in Benicia (open in the morning) and Vallejo (open in the afternoon).

12-1 pm: Itineraries for the Vallejo garden sites (open in the afternoon) will be available at the Pollinator Pathway garden at the Global Center for Success (1055 Azuar Dr/BLDG 733, Vallejo).

Highlights and What’s New

Every garden is an opportunity to learn about permaculture, native planting, water conservation, and much more. By attending the tour, you will leave with practical knowledge that can transform not just your own garden but also the way you interact with the environment. Here are a few new projects and educational talks that will be highlighted during the garden tour:

Healthy Soil

Compost Gal, Lori Caldwell will open the garden tour at Avant Garden in Benicia with a talk on healthy soil. After the talk she will be available to answer any questions about compost, soil and so much more!

Native Plants

While all the food forest gardens feature native plants, this year we are thrilled to showcase five specialized gardens dedicated to highlighting native species. 3 in Benicia and 1 in Vallejo, each will have a CNPS Docent to answer your native plant questions!

Free Seeds, Plants & DIY Garden Design Templates

Pick up free seeds at Avant Garden & Pollinator Pathway during registration, and grab free veggie starts at our partner location, Vallejo Unity Garden. We will also have DIY Landscape Design templates for both edible and water-efficient gardens. Available while supplies last! 

Plants & Garden Goodies

Plants and garden goodies will be for sale at some of the gardens so bring cash. At Terraza Dominica at St. Patrick-St. Vincent Catholic High School, tomato plants will be for sale for $5. (exact change or credit card/Apple Pay only)

Pollinator Activities & Guides

Join the Vallejo Environmental Leadership Fellowship interns for a fun community day at the Pollinator Pathway Garden! Make seed balls to support local pollinators. Come make a positive impact on our environment alongside passionate local youth. Vallejo People’s Garden will offer guided tours at 1 pm and 2:30 pm.

HOA

Visit this lawn conversion project designed by Michael Wedgley from Soilogical and installed by the Bay Vista Homeowners Association. This project not only serves as an example of environmental stewardship, but also as an inspiring model for HOA communities everywhere. This project will show resilient plants that are adapted to our local climate and require far less water than traditional lawns.

We are still planning so there is more to come …

A Toxic Facility in Your Neighborhood? It Could Happen with Changes to State Law

Apr 2, 2026

By Bonnie Hamilton, M.D.

Bonnie Hamilton is a SuSol board member, a pediatrician, member of Climate Health Now and Physicians for Social Responsibility, and facilitates a Solano Climate Policy Action Team through the Bay Area Chapter of the Climate Reality Project. She will speak about the changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in an online community conversation 5:30 pm April 22. Register here.

Imagine waking up to find a manufacturing facility being built in your community, one that may release arsenic, lead, PFAS, hexavalent chromium, and other toxic chemicals into your air and water. If you live near industrial-zoned land anywhere in California, this can now happen without your receiving notice of the project’s construction or its associated health risks.

That’s because last year the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 131, which was signed into law by the governor. SB 131 was introduced and passed in conjunction with AB 130, a bill that was intended to make building affordable housing faster and easier. AB 130 exempts housing projects that already fit into a city’s housing plan from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) — California’s foundational environmental law.

SB 131, however, goes much further, allowing projects to move forward without environmental review in a number of circumstances, including exempting nearly every category of industrial manufacturing from review.

For more than 50 years, CEQA has been California’s strongest environmental justice and conservation law. CEQA required that developers disclose and mitigate public health and environmental impacts of proposed projects such as new factories, freeways, and refineries. CEQA has given residents a voice in land use decisions, empowering local communities, most notably communities that are marginalized. While SB 131 helps rectify delays in the creation of housing, which CEQA has been criticized for, its final form had significant unintended consequences of exempting “advanced manufacturing” from CEQA.

Until last year, CEQA required public agencies to review and publicly disclose the environmental and public health damage a proposed manufacturing facility may cause. The law also required public agencies to adopt feasible ways to prevent harm, and — unique among California’s laws — required disclosure and reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Now, if a project qualifies for this new “advanced manufacturing” exemption, none of these protections apply.

The “advanced” label does not mean these industrial projects are clean. This exemption covers more than 75 categories of heavy industry, including strip mining, pesticide manufacturing, waste incineration, plastic and metal fabrication, defense and aerospace manufacturing, and many others. Pollution from these facilities can cause cancer and birth defects, aggravate other health problems like asthma, and can travel miles through the air or groundwater, contaminating communities for generations. The exemption can be used even by facilities that are located near homes, schools and daycare centers.

The exemption is also a major threat to our open space lands. This raises particular concern in Solano County, where the county’s open space protection through the Orderly Growth Initiative is set to expire in 2028 and will need to be renewed as part of the county’s General Plan update.

This could have a direct impact on California Forever’s proposed project in eastern Solano, which would sit within the sensitive Bay-Delta watershed, adjacent to the Suisun Marsh, and could significantly impact surrounding ecosystems and strain local resources. Projects on private land can qualify for this exemption and threaten habitat and endangered species without CEQA review. There is a real risk that the developers could claim this exemption applies to substantial portions of the massive project.

State Sen. Catherine Blakespear has authored Senate Bill 954, which would restore key protections and residents’ right to know about the risks industrial projects could pose to their families, communities, and the environment. Community members interested in seeing CEQA protections restored are encouraged to attend the community conversation, learn more and reach out to their legislators.

Resources

Register for the online community conversation on CEQA and current legislation from 5:30-6:30 pm April 22.

For more information on CEQA, visit CEQAWorks.org

Read the text of SB 131 and SB 954

Find your legislator here.

Dixon Youth Air Protectors Reflect on Program

Mar 2, 2026

SuSol launched our Air Quality program in 2022. The program is centered around Youth Air Protectors — high school students and young adults who learn about air quality challenges that affect their cities and seek ways to educate the community about those challenges and possible solutions while working on hands-on projects. In 2025, we were fortunate to receive funding from the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District to bring the Youth Air Protectors program to Dixon. Here are reflections from two students in the program, which will conclude by May.

Dixon Youth Air Protectors speak with community members about air quality, community priorities and locations for new bike racks at a community event in January 2026.

By Layla Booth, Dixon Youth Air Protector

My internship this year has been an eye-opening journey into the world of environmental health, specifically regarding the air we breathe every single day. One of the most impactful parts of my experience was getting directly involved with you, the community. Through conducting surveys and interviewing neighbors about their opinions on our local air quality, I discovered that while many are concerned about pollution, there is a powerful shared desire for a healthier environment. I also had the opportunity to host public events to promote clean air awareness, which showed me that when we come together, we can turn complex environmental issues into manageable, community-driven solutions.

Advocacy was another major pillar of my work. I had the privilege of speaking at a city council meeting to highlight how crucial walkability and bikeability are to our community’s future. By pushing for better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, we aren’t just making our streets safer — we are directly reducing the number of cars on the road and lowering the emissions that cloud our air. I also spent time attending public meetings to learn about sustainable practices like local gardening, even getting my hands dirty helping with the garden at our public library. These experiences taught me that air quality isn’t just about what comes out of a tailpipe; it’s about how we design our cities and nurture our local ecosystems.

As I wrap up this internship, I want everyone to know that improving air quality is something we all have a hand in. You can help today by choosing to walk or bike for short trips, supporting local gardening initiatives that help filter our air and staying engaged with city council decisions regarding our environment. Our collective voice matters — whether it’s through a community survey or a public meeting, your input helps shape a cleaner, more breathable future. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Let’s continue to work together to keep our community’s air clear and healthy.

Dixon Youth Air Protectors work alongside community members to plant at the community garden

By Sophia Ferri, Dixon Youth Air Protector

In my time in this internship during the fall semester, I’ve learned a lot about air quality and generally everything surrounding it. I interacted with my peers in order to plan and survey the community on problems and their opinions. I had a lot of fun, actually; it was very interactive and educational at the same time. I’m doing the internship again in the spring semester and highly recommend it to students. Even if they’re not interested in the environment, there are still extremely intriguing topics discussed each meeting. The most fun I had was when we went to a community garden and planted with other community members. It was a fun way to reach out to others outside of the classroom we meet at. In general, this internship has furthered my understanding that air quality is such an important aspect to many people and everyday life.

Throughout my time in this internship, I was introduced to various resources that are available to anyone! Websites or maps that show air quality indexes or general environmental concerns in communities. I think that’s just really cool that we have that available to anyone. At one point in the internship, we created an air filter from vents and a fan! I learned how air filters work, which I didn’t previously know and now I do! I got to experience seeing my community up close as in many instances I had to research and survey common areas for people and other spots that need improvement. Whether that’s through bike racks, crosswalks, or more.

Overall I have really enjoyed my time in the internship. I got a lot closer with my peers and built friendships that’ll last a lifetime from this internship. It gave me something to look forward to every week.

Layla and Sophia build a DIY air purifer

We’re planning a countywide Air Quality Summit this fall that will bring together community members, citizen air quality organizations and experts to share knowledge. We want to hear about your interests when it comes to air quality. Take a short survey here!

Roots in the Ground: Tree Planting

Jan 28, 2026

By Maleah J. Brown, Rio Vista Youth Air Protector

Maleah, one of our Rio Vista Youth Air Protectors this fall, wrote this blog about the tree planting project the YAP did in partnership with the City of Rio Vista. Interested in planting more community trees? Our Fairfield/Suisun City Youth Air Protectors invite the public to plant trees Feb. 21 at City Church in Fairfield. Learn more and register here.

Planting a tree seems like such a small act, until you hold it and place it in the ground. When you walk away, knowing it’ll be in the same spot it was left in, that small act seems much bigger. At the tree planting in Rio Vista last November, the sense of community was touching. The small group we started with grew as it came time to start planting.

When I arrived early in the morning at Airport Road, I was greeted by my fellow Youth Air Protectors. We discussed how the event was going to go, as we sipped our coffee and ate our bagels. When participants ranging from residents, elected city officials, and even the fire department started arriving, we tied our hair back and grabbed our gloves.

Maleah, left, works with others to plant trees

We went through a brief instructional meeting on how to properly install the trees to insure longevity. From there we took a course of action and split into groups, 3-4 people a tree. People put their ideas together to help make the process smoother, like dedicating a group to installing all the tree support posts. I joined a group including two of my peers and someone who I’d never met. This experience not only helped me connect with my peers, but also helped me branch out and make new connections in the community. We worked together, shoveling soil, spreading compost, and placing trees in the ground. The smell of nature and the warm rays of the sun made the experience calming. In the end, my group succeeded in planting around four trees. Once we were all done, I helped distribute the extra compost soil on all the trees. We were finished after around three to four hours of planting.

I returned to the scene around eight weeks later to check on the conditions of the trees, as well as to plant some native wildflower seeds. The leaves have fallen off since I last saw them, which is unsurprising due to the currently cold weather conditions, but the trees seem to be stable and thriving. They were standing tall where they had been placed, and were bright and healthy. Soon, they will have new plants to share their soil with. The beautiful flowers will enhance the view of the road, as well as providing a food source and home for native pollinators. As I left, driving past the trees I had helped stamp into their new spot in my community, I knew this small act was bigger than I could have hoped.

The Rio Vista Youth Air Protectors program is funded through the California Air Resources Board and is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest, formerly known as Cap-and-Trade, dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Transform Your Yard: Vallejo Residential Demo Garden Site Search

Jan 12, 2026

By Nicole Newell, Sustainable Landscaping Program Manager

Do you live in Vallejo? Are you interested in working with your neighbors and community to install a demonstration food forest garden or native garden in your front yard? 

We are looking for a residential site in Vallejo to install a demo garden. This project will educate community members and transform a water-thirsty lawn into a lush, productive demonstration garden that provides multiple benefits for the community and environment.

The garden will

  • Build healthy soil
  • Capture rainwater to reduce stormwater flooding and create resilience to drought
  • Utilize Laundry-to-Landscape greywater (if feasible)
  • Reduce heat and sequester carbon 
  • Create habitat for beneficial insects, pollinators, birds and other wildlife
  • Provide shade and food 

The garden installation is a collaborative effort between Sustainable Solano and the homeowner and involves two to three hands-on, public educational workshops. These workshops help participants gain the skills and knowledge needed to bring these ideas back to their own gardens and neighborhoods. Homeowners often provide lunch during the workshops, recognizing the deep value of sharing food together as a way to build community. They also agree to participate in the Annual Benicia & Vallejo Demonstration Food Forest Garden Tour. This year’s tour will be on April 25.

The project aims to build wonderful connections within our community, deepen our collective appreciation for the environment, and inspire everyone to consider the positive impact we can have on the life around us.

If you live in Vallejo and are interested in creating a waterwise, edible food forest or native plant garden please fill out the Sustainable Landscape Interest Form. A team member will contact you with next steps. We get a lot of interest forms, so please be patient!

This project is made possible through the support of the North Bay Watershed Association, and we are very grateful for their contribution. Demonstration gardens are part of the Solano Sustainable Backyards Program. 

Little Free Library and Pollinator Garden Installed at the Rio Vista Roots Community Garden

Oct 6, 2025

By Willa Gruver, Resilient Communities Program Manager

SuSol Program Manager Willa Gruver cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the new Little Free Library in Rio Vista

SuSol installed a Little Free Library in the verge strip next to the Rio Vista Roots Community garden on Sept. 6. This library will serve as a resource for the community and  was made possible by the Rio Vista Youth Air Protectors program.

This community library was made possible by the work of many hands. It was created collaboratively by the Rio Vista High School woodshop students who built it, the Youth Air Protectors who painted it, the SuSol team members and volunteers who installed it, and the greater Rio Vista community, who came together to contribute books and install a pollinator garden around the base of the library.

The Youth Air Protectors program and our air quality work in Rio Vista is funded through the California Air Resources Board and is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

This library is being hosted and stewarded by the newly established Rio Vista Roots community garden, and will contribute to its vision of the garden as a vibrant community space and social hub.

The Rio Vista Youth Air Protectors worked in small groups back in March to design and paint each side of the library with artwork of their choice
We also painted kindness rocks to spread positive messages around the site and neighborhood.

The native pollinator garden was planted with California native plants such as Yarrow, California Fuschia, Blue Sage, and Narrow Leaf Milkweed that will provide valuable habitat for butterflies and other insects, while also beautifying the site and providing benefits to the air, soil and water quality in Rio Vista.

This event provided an opportunity to discuss our local air quality, a topic that is of particular importance in Rio Vista. Rio Vista is in the 86th percentile of California census tracts for ER visits due to asthma. It is in the 84th percentile for ER visits due to heart attacks; both of these conditions are exacerbated by poor air quality.

Community members were able to sign up to receive free air purifiers from the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, provide feedback on air quality solutions they would like to see in their community, and learn more about health impacts and mitigation tactics.

These plants will grow quickly and provide food and habitat for birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Rio Vista community members gave feedback on what types of air quality solutions they’d like to see implemented in their community.

We filled the library with resources that address air quality and environmental health (for all ages). If you’re in the neighborhood, we hope you’ll stop by, take a book, and leave a book!

If you’d like to get involved, we’re seeking volunteers to help steward (and weed) the pollinator garden. Please email nicole@sustainablesolano.org if you’re interested. You can find out more about our upcoming events at sustainablesolano.org/events – we’d love to see you there!