All calendar items are subject to change.
Wildlife areas, ecological reserves and other properties may be closed due to wildfires or storm damage. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to check for closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
Various Days — Invasive Species Youth Art and Video Contest. Students are invited to enter their art (Grades 2-12) or short video (Grades 5-12) on the theme “Think Ahead; Stop the Spread” describing actions that prevent the spread of invasive species. The contest meets California curriculum standards in science, English language arts and visual art. Winners will be announced during California Invasive Species Action Week, June 3-11. Winning art will be posted on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Facebook page and winning videos will be posted on CDFW’s YouTube channel. For submission instructions, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/action-week/poster-contest or contact invasives@wildlife.ca.gov. The deadline to enter is May 1, 2023.
Various Days — Guided Wetland Tours by Reservation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 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. The minimum group size is 18 people. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Various Days — Discover the Flyway School Program, Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Discover the Flyway is an outdoor education program for kindergarten through 12th grade students that meets Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards. The goal is to offer children a meaningful outdoor experience that will give them an appreciation for the wetlands, agriculture and wildlife of the Central Valley and contribute to a lifetime of healthy outdoor activities and development of a land stewardship ethic. This school year, Yolo Basin Foundation is offering teachers three options: the chance to bring students to a field trip to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, the opportunity to have educators and docents bring the program to classrooms, or the option to participate from school or home in a live, virtually led activity. Teachers can learn more and register at www.yolobasin.org/schoolprograms.
Weekends — Ecological Reserve Tours at Elkhorn Slough, 10 and 11 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Volunteers lead walks highlighting the natural history of the Elkhorn Slough every Saturday and Sunday. No reservation is required, and individuals may join 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 www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours.
Sundays — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 to 11:45 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join us every Sunday for Tot Time at the Visitor’s Center at Nimbus Fish Hatchery where we’ll read nature-themed stories and create a fun craft! Recommended for children ages 2-7 years, with parent/guardian supervision. There is no cost for these events and registration is not required. For more information, please email Julia.Kaiser@wildlife.ca.gov.
1 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Hedgerow Farms, 21905 County Rd 88, Winters (95694). Join a community science project between CDFW and The Xerces Society to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the project and sign up for the free, in-person field event, please visit the California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Events registration page. For more information, please contact CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
1 — Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough, 8:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Learn about the many birds that visit the Elkhorn Slough Reserve on a guided tour every first Saturday. No reservation is required and individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. For more information, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/esnerr/tours.
2 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 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 docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants 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 www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/4/2/saltmarsh-tour-.
7 — Wildlife Conservation Board Lower American River Conservancy Program Advisory Committee Meeting, 1 to 3 p.m., CNRA Headquarters Building, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). This will be a hybrid meeting. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov.
7 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 to 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands 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 www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/4/07/friday-habitat-restoration.
8 — Ballona Creek Cleanup at Ballona Reserve, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drain flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right in the wetlands. The time and effort put into clearing out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on beaches and in the open ocean. Parking and entrance gate are located behind Gordon’s Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/4/8/creek-cleanup.
13 — Flyway Nights: Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project, 7 to 9 p.m., Zoom virtual session. The Yolo County Resource Conservation District has recently completed a pilot project with the Delta Conservancy to create several habitat corridors in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. This collaboration with CDFW, Yolo Basin Foundation, regional agencies and local partners has resulted in five new miles of habitat on the wildlife area, an 18-acre conversion to native grassland species and a repurposing of remnants of the Lisbon Trestles that were used for train travel into the 1950s. For more information, please visit www.yolobasin.org/flywaynights.
13 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Virtual Training, 6 to 8 p.m., via Zoom. Join a community science collaboration between CDFW and The Xerces Society to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees and submit data. To register for the project and sign up for the free, virtual training event, please visit www.cabumblebeeatlas.org/events.html. For more information, please contact Xerces biologist Leif Richardson at leif.richardson@xerces.org or CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
15 — 2023-24 Hunting Items on Sale. Hunters can purchase 2023-24 hunting licenses, tags and validations and apply for the annual Big Game Drawing. Items may be purchased online, at select CDFW license sales offices or license sales agents, or by calling telephone sales at (800) 565-1458. Sales transactions for the Big Game Drawing applications must be completed before midnight on June 2, 2023. Please contact a local CDFW license sales office for more information.
15 — Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 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 docents will lead the tour through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on the journey through different habitats. Participants 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 www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/4/15/saltmarsh-tour.
15 — Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Pop-up Information Booth, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Parking Lot A, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). The third Saturday of every month, Yolo Basin Foundation will have a pop-up information booth in Parking Lot A of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It is a great time to visit since volunteers will be present to hand out maps of the auto tour route and hiking trails, provide information about what is exciting to see and answer questions as visitors set out to explore local wildlife. Come visit the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area during this time of magical migrations. Waterfowl, geese, swans and more are making their way south along the Pacific Flyway. For more information about the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, please visit www.yolobasin.org/yolobypasswildlifearea.
15 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Canyon Creek Nursery, 3527 Dry Creek Road, Oroville (95965). Join a community science project between CDFW and The Xerces Society to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the project and sign up for the free, in-person field event, please visit the California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Events registration page.To access the event, volunteers will need to park and walk across a foot bridge. For more information, please contact Xerces biologist Leif Richardson at leif.richardson@xerces.org.
15-16 — Imaginology, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa (92626). This free, family event produced by OC Fair staff focuses on STEAM education and hands-on learning. CDFW Fishing in the City will be in attendance. For more information, please visit ocfair.com/imaginology.
16 — Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to noon, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Join Yolo Basin Foundation’s docent on a fantastic tour that is appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. View seasonal and permanent wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests. Look for migrating and resident waterfowl, geese, swans, raptors and wading birds. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
18 — California Fish and Game Commission Tribal Committee Meeting, Fresno/Bakersfield area, time to be determined. Webinar/teleconference participation options will be available. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
19-20 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, Fresno/Bakersfield area, time to be determined. Webinar/teleconference participation options will be available. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
21 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 to 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up sleeves and help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetlands 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 www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/4/07/friday-habitat-restoration-cjy2w.
22 — Earth Day Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Spend Earth Day with the Friends of Ballona Wetlands helping to restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Let’s roll up sleeves and 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 details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2023/04/22/community-habitat-restoration.
22 — Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Clean-up and Field Day, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). The community is invited to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area for a morning of spring clean-up. All family members are encouraged to participate. Typical activities involve building repairs, habitat improvements and sprucing up the public facilities. This event provides an inside glimpse into portions of this beautiful area not normally seen. Participants should be prepared for some light clean-up. Bringing work gloves, appropriate footwear, sunscreen and water is recommended. Meet at the entrance check station parking lot at 8 a.m. to sign in and pick an activity. Activities will occur from 8:30 a.m. to noon, followed by lunch. For questions, please contact Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at (530) 846-7500.
22 — Earth Day Bioblitz, 10 a.m. to noon, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Explore the Elkhorn Slough Reserve and upload biodiversity data to the community monitoring site “iNaturalist” to be shared with scientists all over the world! Reserve naturalists will be on hand to help identify species and share tips and tricks for using iNaturalist. No prior experience is necessary but registration is required. For more details and to register, please visit www.elkhornslough.org/calendar.
22 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 10 a.m. to noon, Arlington Garden, 275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena (91105). Join a community science project between CDFW and The Xerces Society to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the project and sign up for the free, in-person field event, please visit the California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Events registration page. Parking can be found on-street on Arlington, Orange Grove or Wigmore, and participants will meet at the main entrance on Arlington Drive at 10 a.m. For more information, please contact Xerces biologist Leif Richardson at leif.richardson@xerces.org.
22 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 2 to 4 p.m., Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (91007). Join a community science project between CDFW and The Xerces Society to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the project and sign up for the free, in-person field event, please visit the California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Events registration page. Participants will meet at the front gate at 2 p.m. then walk to Crescent Farm, the area where the survey will take place. The event is expected to end by 4 p.m. For more information, please contact Xerces biologist Leif Richardson at leif.richardson@xerces.org.
29 — California Duck Days, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). California Duck Days is a family oriented, community-based outdoor festival with activities for people of all ages. On-site activities for families include interactive exhibits, tours of the wetlands, wetland themed arts and crafts and much more. For more information, please visit www.yolobasin.org/california-duck-days.
29 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 10 a.m. to noon, Sky Oaks Watershed Headquarters, 49 Sky Oaks Rd, Fairfax (94930). Join a community science project between CDFW and The Xerces Society to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the project and sign up for the free, in-person field event, please visit the California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Events registration page. For more information, please contact CDFW Pollinator Coordinator Hillary Sardiñas at Hillary.Sardinas@wildlife.ca.gov or CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
30 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Rd, Watsonville (95076). Join a community science project between CDFW and The Xerces Society to find out more about California’s native bumble bees while collecting data to help conserve declining species. Volunteers will be trained on how to survey for bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the project and sign up for the free, in-person field event, please visit the California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Events registration page. For more information, please contact CDFW Pollinator Coordinator Hillary Sardiñas at Hillary.Sardinas@wildlife.ca.gov or CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
30 — Deadline to Report Spiny Lobster Report Cards. Lobster divers and hoop netters must report their lobster report card data by April 30. Report card holders who fail to return their Spiny Lobster Report Card by mail or report their data online by the deadline will be assessed a $21.60 non-return fee when they purchase a spiny lobster report card for the following season. Divers and hoop netters may report online or mail their report card to the address printed on the report card. To report online, please visit www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641