A pipevine swallowtail butterfly feeds on blue dicks at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Sacramento. CDFW Photo by Travis VanZant.
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 — Wetland Meet and Greet at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). Meet with a wildlife naturalist from the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. This 15-minute interactive orientation may include information about Gray Lodge origins, assistance with identifying wildlife or behavior patterns, or a brief explanation of conservation management. Reservations are required but group size can vary. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Various Days — Bat Talk and Tour. Did you know that a massive colony of migratory bats lives under the Yolo Causeway during the summer? Join Yolo Basin Foundation for a summertime Bat Talk and Tour and learn all about these amazing and beneficial mammals. Following a presentation on bat natural history, the group will carpool out to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area for a brief tour of the wetlands and rice fields. Then, we get in position to watch the “flyout” of the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in California. The bats emerge in long ribbons as they head out to hunt for insects for the night. For more information, please visit yolobasin.org. CDFW employees and family are invited to four CDFW-only Bat Talk and Walks at a reduced rate throughout the summer. To learn more about the CDFW nights, please contact bkeating@yolobasin.org.
Weekends — Guided Hikes at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 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. Tours fill on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour. Groups of six or more should call ahead at (831) 728-2822 to reserve a tour. For more information, please visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
1 — Early Bird Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Join the reserve's naturalists every first Saturday to learn about the birds of the Elkhorn Slough. This tour is appropriate for birders from beginner to advanced and is recommended for individuals ages 15 and older. The tour meets at the reserve's visitor center, but depending on recent sightings, the group may walk the trails or caravan out to adjacent parks and natural spaces. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, please visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
1 — California Invasive Species Action Week Volunteer Day at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Meet at the Visitor Center to learn about the reserve’s projects to protect native species and habitats, then join a garden stewardship project to remove invasive weeds and make space for native plants to flourish. For more details, please visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
1 — Mindfulness Saltwater Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). In collaboration with a local social worker, Ballona Reserve is pleased to present a mindfulness walk in the saltwater marsh. The social worker and an expert docent will lead the walk through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve and teach participants about its history and ecology as well as some mindfulness exercises. 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/2024/6/1/mindfullness-saltwater-marsh-tour.
1-9 — California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW). Join agencies and organizations across the state to take action to protect California from the environmental and economic impacts caused by non-native invasive species. Action Week events include habitat restoration, invasive species removal projects, community scientist surveys and field outings. A list of events can be found at wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/invasives/action-week. All events are open to the public, and some require pre-registration. Winners of this year’s Youth Art contest, Species Reporters Wanted - What's the Scoop on Invasives, will be announced on social media on June 9.
2 — Big Game Drawing Deadline. The deadline to submit applications for elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and premium deer tags is June 2. Sales transactions must be completed before midnight. Hunters may apply at a CDFW license agent, online at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales or through telephone sales at (800) 565-1458. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/big-game.
7 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3 to 5 p.m., 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Let’s roll up 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. The time and effort put in to 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/2024/6/7friday-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 here! 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 gates are located behind Gordon's Market. Registration is required. For more details about the event and to register, please visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/6/8-creek-cleanup.
8 — Gray Lodge Clean-up and Field Day, 7 a.m. to noon, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). This event will include both habitat and maintenance projects, followed by lunch. All family members are encouraged to participate. The day will be informative and improve the quality of our wildlife habitat. For more information, please contact the Gray Lodge main office at (530) 846-7500 or email GLWLA@wildlife.ca.gov.
8 — Guided Tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for a free, family-friendly guided tour on the second Saturday of each month to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River! Learn about the amazing life cycle of salmon and steelhead, walk along the American River and discuss hatchery operations. Participants may see fish and other wildlife, such as migratory birds, signs of mammal activity and cool insects. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain and the maximum group size is 25 people (first-come, first-served). The tour is ADA accessible and suitable for all ages. For more information, please call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
11 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Hunting With Kids - The Next Generation of Hunters, 6 to 7 p.m. In a world that has so many competing attractions, how do we get kids excited about hunting? This webinar will discuss some practical ways to help young people foster a lifelong passion for the outdoors. This webinar is designed to show some tried and true strategies which have been used to encourage and motivate young people to enjoy hunting and talk about it with their friends so that they too will be looking forward to the next season opener. For more information and to register, please visit the event registration page.
15 — Fishing in the City Clinic, 8 a.m. to noon, Hagan Community Park, 2197 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova (95670). It’s catfish season in Sacramento! Join CDFW at Youth Beginner Fishing Clinics, held monthly at local parks on Saturdays through September. These free fishing clinics are for beginners ages 5-15 to learn the basics of fishing, casting, conservation and hopefully to catch their first fish. All materials are provided, and clinics are held rain or shine. To learn more about Fishing in the City and to register for a Sacramento area clinic, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city/sac. To learn more about Fishing in the City opportunities in other areas, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/fishing-in-the-city.
16 — Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Access Permit Applications on Sale for Fall Elk Hunts. 89 SHARE elk tags will be available during 60 elk hunts offered through the SHARE program. A $13.50 non-refundable application fee (plus handling fees) will be charged for each hunt choice. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/share.
19-20 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time and exact location to be determined, Mammoth Lakes. The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. 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 to help the Friends of Ballona Wetlands restore the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Get hands-on experience while learning about urban ecology. The time and effort put in to 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/2024/6/21/friday-habitat-restoration.
22 — Mindfulness Tour at Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 2 to 4 p.m., 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (95076). Join an experienced reserve docent on a two-mile walk to open the senses on a mindfulness tour around the slough. No registration is required. The tour fills on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, please visit elkhornslough.org/visit/calendar.
23 — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW on June 23 for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to create a fun craft! This month is moved from the third to fourth Sunday and we'll be reading about fish and making some fun fish crafts for "Fish Are Friends, Not Food Week"! 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 molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
23 — 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, teaching 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/2024/6/23-saltmarsh-tour.
25 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Wildlife Tracking, 6 to 7 p.m. This webinar is designed to help people better identify different animal tracks, mainly deer vs. elk, mountain lion vs. dog vs. coyote, and black bear and other small animals found in California. The presenter, who is certified with Tracker Certification North America, will also discuss information on animal signs, myths with tracking and the basics of how to start and practice tracking animals. Information will include legal considerations and related laws regarding wildlife harassment and ethics. For more information and to register, please visit the event registration page.
30 — 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, teaching 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/2024/6/30/-saltmarsh-tour.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641