CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsJuly 2022 California Department of Fish and Wildlife Calendarhttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/july-2022-california-department-of-fish-and-wildlife-calendarWildlifeThu, 30 Jun 2022 17:16:08 GMTCalendar of statewide events related to fish, wildlife and CDFW for July 2022.<p><strong>All calendar items are subject to change as we navigate the changing conditions and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to adhere to all current safety protocols. For information on how to get vaccinated in California, please visit <a href="https://myturn.ca.gov" target="_blank">myturn.ca.gov</a>.</strong></p> <p><strong>Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or wildfire damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Closures">closures</a> before leaving on any recreational trip.</strong></p> <p><strong>Various Days — Guided Wetland Tours by Reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area</strong>, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). A wildlife naturalist will lead any group, school or organization on a half-mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. The experience can be catered to include requested information. Each tour is limited to 15 people. COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, which may include masking and/or physical distancing. Come prepared and be respectful of other visitors. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email <a href="mailto:lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov">Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p><strong>Various Dates — Bat Talk and Walk Programs</strong>, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32B, Davis (95618). Yolo Basin Foundation is offering a variety of educational programs about the colony of bats that live in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. Events and programs run July through September. Build a bat house for your backyard, bring your little ones for a morning of crafts, storytelling and bats, or enjoy a family-friendly evening Bat Walk. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.yolobasin.org/bats2022" target="_blank">www.yolobasin.org/bats2022</a>.</p> <p><strong>Various Days — Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge. </strong>Nature is calling all California families this summer to enjoy some outdoor fun – in your backyard, neighborhood and/or local nature area. Hosted by CDFW’s North Central Region, the Nature Bowl 2022: Family Challenge is a fun and educational way to explore the natural world around you by completing two scavenger hunts, one provided and the other created by your family. The contest also has an extra credit element of cataloging your findings, just like a scientist. The contest is open all summer with the final deadline for entries on Aug. 31, 2022. To sign up and receive your challenge packet, contact Genelle Treaster at <a href="mailto:genelle.treaster@wildlife.ca.gov">Genelle.Treaster@wildlife.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p><strong>Various Days — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough</strong>, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and at 11 a.m. Wednesday through Friday for the summer. Capacity is limited due to physical distancing requirements, and individuals must sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours" target="_blank">www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours</a>.</p> <p><strong>1 — General Season for Rabbits and Varying Hare Opens Statewide (extending through Jan. 29, 2023).</strong> For more information on small game seasons and limits, please visit <a href="/hunting/small-game">wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/small-game</a>.</p> <p><strong>1 — General Season for Grunion Opens Statewide (extending through March 31, 2023).</strong> For more information about grunion, please visit <a href="/fishing/ocean/grunion">wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/grunion</a>.</p> <p><strong>2 — Free Fishing Day. </strong>One of two Free Fishing Days being offered by CDFW in 2022 is scheduled July 2 (the other is Sept. 3). While all fishing regulations – such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures – remain in effect, anyone can fish without purchasing a fishing license on Free Fishing Days. For more information, please visit <a href="/licensing/fishing/free-fishing-days">wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/free-fishing-days</a>.</p> <p><strong>3 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve</strong>, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona Wetlands docents will lead participants through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve while explaining its history and ecology. Participants can enjoy the unique native plants as they journey through different habitats and might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit <a href="http://www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/07/03/saltmarsh-tour" target="_blank">www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/07/03/saltmarsh-tour</a>.</p> <p><strong>4 — Last Day of Recreational Ocean Salmon Fishing from the 40°10’ Line to Point Arena until July 22. </strong>The season will resume July 22-Sept. 5. For more information, please visit the ocean salmon webpage at <a href="/oceansalmon">wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon</a> or call the CDFW Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (707) 576-3429 or the National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (800) 662-9825.</p> <p><strong>11 — Director’s Recreational Abalone Advisory Committee (RAAC) Meeting</strong>, 1 to 4 p.m., virtual Microsoft TEAMs meeting. CDFW will be presenting the latest draft of the red abalone Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Management Strategy (MS) to the RAAC and the public to seek additional input. This draft MS was presented to the Fish and Game Commission’s Marine Resources Committee in March 2022. Those that are interested in the future management of the northern California recreational red abalone fishery are encouraged to attend and learn about the proposed MS for the draft FMP that will guide the fishery whenever it is reopened. For more information, please visit <a href="/conservation/marine/invertebrates/raac">wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/invertebrates/raac</a>.</p> <p><strong>14 — California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting</strong>, 9:30 a.m., North Coast Regional Waterboards Office, DCJ Room, 5550 Skylane Blvd., Santa Rosa (95403). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit <a href="http://fgc.ca.gov" target="_blank">fgc.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p><strong>15-17 — Global Learning to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Elementary School Teacher Workshop</strong>, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). This is a free workshop for K-12 formal and informal educators focused on environmental monitoring. The GLOBE program brings students, teachers and scientists across the world together to investigate the natural world. Participants will receive new lesson plan ideas, investigative tools and access to the GLOBE database. Teachers can register online at www.elkhornslough.org/events/globe-teacher-workshop-0722 or contact Ariel Hunter at <a href="http://ariel.hunter@wildlife.ca.gov">Ariel.Hunter@wildlife.ca.gov</a> or (831) 728-2822.</p> <p><strong>16 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve</strong>, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Explore the wonder of nature in the middle of urban Los Angeles! Friends of Ballona Wetlands docents will lead participants through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve while explaining its history and ecology. Participants can enjoy the unique native plants as they journey through different habitats and might even meet some of the local wildlife. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit <a href="http://www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/07/16/saltmarsh-tour" target="_blank">www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/07/16/saltmarsh-tour</a>.</p> <p><strong>16 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event</strong>, 10 a.m. to noon, Arcata Marsh, 569 S. G St., Arcata (95521). Join a community science collaboration between CDFW and The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will learn to catch and handle bumble bees and will practice photographing them and collecting habitat data. Use the CABBA Field Events registration form to register for the project and sign up for this free, voluntary field training event to be held at Arcata Marsh. For more information, please visit www.cabumblebeeatlas.org/events.html or contact Xerces Conservation Biologist Leif Richardson at <a href="mailto:leif.richardson@xerces.org">leif.richardson@xerces.org</a> or CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at <a href="mailto:dylan.winkler@wildlife.ca.gov">Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov</a>.</p> <p><strong>22 — Recreational Ocean Salmon Fishing Re-Opens from the 40°10’ Line to Point Arena.</strong> For more information, please visit the ocean salmon webpage at <a href="/oceansalmon">wildlife.ca.gov/oceansalmon</a> or call the CDFW Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (707) 576-3429 or the National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Salmon Regulations Hotline at (800) 662-9825.</p> <p><strong>23 — Community Habitat Restoration</strong>, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Roll up your sleeves to help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. Clearing out invasive vegetation gives slow-growing native plants room to thrive. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit <a href="http://www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/07/23/community-habitat-restoration" target="_blank">www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2022/07/23/community-habitat-restoration</a>.</p> <p><strong>23 — Garden Stewardship Day at Elkhorn Slough Reserve</strong>, 10 a.m. to noon, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Learn about native plant gardening and help the reserve maintain its new demonstration gardens! Participants will learn about native plant gardening and then spend time working in the gardens. Work changes with the season and may involve weeding, planting or collecting native seeds. All ages and abilities are welcome, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more details and to register for email reminders, please visit <a href="http://www.elkhornslough.org/calendar" target="_blank">www.elkhornslough.org/calendar</a>.</p> <p><strong>24 — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Application Deadline for Elk Hunting Opportunities.</strong> An $11.75 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) is charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit <a href="/hunting/share">wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share</a>.</p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:amanda.l.mcdermott@wildlife.ca.gov">Amanda McDermott</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641</em></p> <p><i><strong>CDFW photo: </strong>Grunion on the beach.</i><br />  </p>