All calendar items are subject to change.
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 closures before leaving on any recreational trip.
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 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 eight people. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
Various Days — Nest Box Survey Orientation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 11 and 14, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). Choose one of two free orientation meetings for a unique opportunity in a season-long field project. Working in teams, detailed data is collected and used to understand and enhance the local wood duck population and other wildlife. Commitment varies, averaging four hours once or twice a month, April through July. The project is open to the public ages 18 and older and this meeting is required for participation. Space is limited and reservations are required. 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 our educators and docents bring the program to their classroom 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.
Various Days — Nature Photography Workshop and Tour with Lewis Kemper, March 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Zoom virtual session, and March 4 from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, 45211 County Road 32 B, Davis (95618). Join world renowned nature photographer Lewis Kemper as he provides new insights, inspiration and instruction to photographers of all levels in this fun-filled educational experience designed to enhance photographic skills. This is a hybrid event split between two sessions. For more information about this event or the Explorer Series, please visit www.yolobasin.org/explorer.
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 — CDFW’s Annual Salmon Information Meeting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., via Zoom webinar. The public is invited to virtually attend CDFW’s annual meeting on the status of California Chinook salmon populations and the outlook for 2023 ocean salmon fisheries. A review of last year’s ocean salmon fisheries and spawning escapement will be presented along with the outlook for this year’s sport and commercial ocean salmon fisheries. The presentations will be followed by a listening session. The meeting marks the beginning of a two-month long public process used to establish annual sport and commercial ocean salmon seasons. A list of additional meetings and other opportunities for public comment, as well as the meeting materials and the link for the webinar, will be available at wildlife.ca.gov/fishing/ocean/regulations/salmon as they become available. For more information, please contact the Ocean Salmon Project at Oceansalmon@wildlife.ca.gov.
1 — Invasive Species Youth Art and Video Contest Opens. Students are invited to enter their art (Grades 2-12) or short video (Grades 5-12) on the theme “Think Ahead; Prevent 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 CDFW’s 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.
2 — Flyway Nights: Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project, 7 to 9 p.m., Zoom virtual session. The multi-benefit Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project will restore over 3,100 acres of freshwater tidal wetland habitat for the California Department of Water Resources within the Cache Slough Complex and increase the flood conveyance capacity of the lower Yolo Bypass. Stephanie Freed, Assistant Director of Operations at Ecosystem Investment Partners (EIP), will present on this topic. For more information, please visit www.yolobasin.org/flywaynights.
3 — 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/2023/3/03/friday-habitat-restoration.
10 — White and White-fronted Goose Season Closes in the Northeastern California Zone. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
10 — Canada Goose Season Closes in the North Coast Special Management Area. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
10-12 — Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show, Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 South P Street, Bakersfield (93307). CDFW will be returning to the Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat and RV Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds. CDFW staff will be onsite and available to answer questions and offer a convenient place to buy annual fishing and hunting licenses, along with the 2023 Warden Stamp! For more information, please visit www.calshows.com.
11 — Advanced Hunter Education Clinic: Wild Turkey Hunting Clinic, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Legion Hall, 4561 Greenstone Road, Placerville (95667). This clinic will discuss hunting springtime wild turkey. We will cover hunting regulations, methods of take, proper clothing and hunting tactics. There will also be a chance to learn and taste some recipes. Come learn more about these wonderful upland game birds available to California hunters. To register, please visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/193582. For more information, please email Shawn.Olague@wildlife.ca.gov or call (209) 827-0895.
11 — 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/2023/3/11/creek-cleanup.
14 & 16 — California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, starting at 8:30 a.m. March 14 at California State University Monterey Bay, University Center Auditorium, 4314 6th Avenue, Seaside (93955), and 8:30 a.m. March 16, Monterey County Fair & Event Center, Seaside Room, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey (93940). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
17 — 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/2023/2/17-friday-habitat-restoration-8adyc.
18 — Additional Spring Wild Turkey Season for Hunters with Junior Hunting Licenses Opens (extending through March 19). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
18 — 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 to keep an eye out for 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.
19 — 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.
22 — Last Day of California Spiny Lobster Recreational and Commercial Fishing Season Statewide. Recreational lobster report card data can be reported at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin. For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/invertebrates/lobster.
25 — Community Habitat Restoration, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 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/2023/3/25/community-habitat-restoration.
25 — General Spring Wild Turkey Season Opens (extending through April 30). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
29 — Bart Hall Long Beach Show (running through April 2), Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach (90802). CDFW will be returning to the Bart Hall show at the Long Beach Convention Center. CDFW staff will be onsite and available to answer questions and offer a convenient place to buy annual fishing and hunting licenses, along with the 2023 Warden Stamp! For more information, please visit hallshows.com/long-beach-show.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641