The Greens Hotel is Open For Business

What could be more green than taking an existing building, renovating it and turning it into a retro hip and green getaway?

The Greens Hotel is an eco-conscious hotel, offering all-natural products in its rooms and maintaining green housekeeping practices. The hotel is an eclectic blend of its 1950's roots and todays vibrant Sacramento art scene.

The Greens is located in the heart of the Arts and Business District of North Sacramento, within 10 minutes of Downtown Sacramento on highway 160, a trip which is slightly longer, but every bit as convenient by direct Light Rail Service, and 15 minutes away from the Sacramento Airport.

Introductory rates start at just $89/night so now is the perfect time to book a room at The Greens Hotel so you can experience this green getaway for yourself. The Greens hotel offers 26 guest rooms and one suite.

Organic Christmas Trees...Start a New Green Tradition

Organic Christmas trees? There are three local growers who are bringing sustainable farming to new heights.

There are only about six organic Christmas tree farmers registered in the state of California and we have three farms that carry organic trees right here in Gold Country.

In Sacramento County, growers used the insecticide dimethoate, one in a class of insecticides known as organophosphates, which target the nervous system and can harm humans, given sufficient exposure; and esfenvalerate, a pyrethroid that’s potentially toxic to aquatic organisms. They also used three kinds of herbicides, including glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup (According to Edie Lau from OGC.org). Conventional tree farmers do point out that they do not use pesticides unless they are needed and many trees are never sprayed. What sets organic farmers apart is they work hard to create an eco system that fights pests and other issues with natural methods. This includes cover crops and other farming methods.

We all know that supporting local farmers is key to creating a sustainable farming base in our community...now we can go one step farther and make our holidays a little greener this year.

Billy's Farm Fresh Christmas Trees

8430 Dillard Road
Wilton
916-987-8354
Open weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Organic certified from CCOF #YO310-produce, fruits and vegetables.
Hay rides, small farm animals and Christmas crafts.

Fudge Factory Farm
2860 High Hill Road
Placerville
866-383-4348
Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 14.
Note: The trees are grown organically but have not yet been certified.

With 65 different flavors of fudge, fresh baked cookies, homemade hot fudge and caramel sundaes, fresh peanut brittle and English toffee, a wide variety of chocolates and over 15 different kinds of candy coated apples.

Honey Bear Ranch
2826 Barkley Road
Camino
530-644-3934
Note: Tree farm is closed this season for replanting and maintenance. The ranch is still open for local produce, bakery items, food, candy, crafts, live music and more!

Find Nature at Cosumnes River Preserve

The Cosumnes River Preserve is open year-round...that's 365 days a year from sunrise until sunset.

The Cosumnes River Preserve encompasses and protects thousands of acres of wetlands and adjacent uplands. These lands, once considered insect ridden, unattractive, and even dangerous, today are recognized as beautiful places with important roles in local and global ecology.

Wetlands provide a diverse habitat critical to the survival of many kinds of plant and animal life. The Cosumnes River Preserve is recognized as one of California's most significant natural areas.

The 46,000-acre preserve—with its riparian forests, wetlands and free-flowing river—houses more than 40 fish species, 250 bird species and 230 plant species.

Want to see it for yourself? On Saturday, December 6 the Preserve is hosting a Guided Nature Walk at 9:00 A.M. Meet at the Visitor Center and make sure to bring water and dress in layers as the weather does change this time of year.

The Consumnes River Preserve is located at

13501 Franklin Blvd.

Galt, CA 95632