Wildflowers near Palm Desert. CDFW photo by Tim Walton.
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 — 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 2/3-mile route through the diverse wetlands of the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. General information includes wildlife identification, behavior patterns and conservation efforts. This experience can be catered to include requested information. The minimum group size is eight people. This land is part of the CDFW Lands Pass Program and associated fee-for-use requirement. There is no additional cost for the tour. For more information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
1 — Advanced Hunter Education: Wild Turkey Hunting Clinic Northern California, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). Topics for this clinic will include hunting turkeys in both spring and fall, hunting regulations, huntable lands, proper types of firearms and ammunition used for turkey hunting, proper clothing, habits and habitats of wild turkey, turkey hunting safety, and hunter responsibilities/ethics. All skill levels are welcome to attend. This is a hands-on clinic which will allow for practice "patterning" your shotgun. Students 17 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also registered for the clinic. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/222077.
2 — City of Davis Wetlands Tours, 9-11 a.m., City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant, 45400 Co Road 28H, Davis (95618). Yolo Basin Foundation offers tours of the City of Davis Wetlands on the first Sunday of each month, located at the City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant. These tours offer a great outdoor experience to learn more about local and migratory bird species, mammals and native ecosystems. The City of Davis Wetlands is a great place to take photos of wildlife and plants. Prepare for unpredictable weather by dressing in layers and bringing a water bottle. To register, visit yolobasin.org/wetlands-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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/3/2/2025-saltmarsh-tour.
3 — Release of Draft State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025, for tribal, external partner, and public review and comment. The draft plan and online comment form are available at wildlife.ca.gov/swap until March 31, 2025.
4-6 — Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Annual Workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. California Natural Resources Building, 715 P Street, Auditorium and Second Floor (Rooms 2-221 A-C), Sacramento (95814). The IEP Annual Workshop is an informal event held each spring for sharing new research that advances the science important to IEP and the larger Delta science community. The workshop features invited guest speakers, live interactive sessions with principal investigators and a poster session. The event is free and hybrid – attendees can attend in person or watch remotely via Zoom. Registration is required and is open from Feb. 3-21 for in-person or until all tickets are gone. Remote registration is open Feb. 3 through the workshop event. For more information on the workshop and how to register, visit iep.ca.gov/public-engagement/annual-iep-workshop.
5 — Public Informational Session for State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), 6-7:30 p.m., via webinar. CDFW is hosting a virtual informational public meeting to present the draft SWAP for review. Public participation in the review is valued and all are welcome. Traducción al español disponible. To register, visit the Zoom registration page. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/swap.
6 — Flyway Nights Speaker Series – Mike Davis: Wildlife Spectacles in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 7-9 p.m., via Zoom. If a spectacle refers to a public display of something that is dramatically eye-catching, then there are wildlife spectacles in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area that meet that definition. One of the most popular spectacles is the nightly exodus of great clouds of bats that leave their roost under the causeway to catch insects. The talk will be given by Mike Davis, a retired professor and cooperative extension specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis, where he taught plant pathology classes as well as courses on mushroom identification and cultivation. To register, visit the event registration page. For more information, visit Yolo Basin Foundation’s website at yolobasin.org/flywaynights.
7 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3-5 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 give our 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/3/7/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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/3/8-creek-cleanup.
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 to explore the Nimbus Fish Hatchery and neighboring American River on the second Saturday of each month! 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, call (916) 358-2884 or email molly.shea@wildlife.ca.gov.
10 — White and White-fronted Goose Season Closes in the Northeastern California Zone. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
10 — Canada Goose Season Closes in the North Coast Special Management Area. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/waterfowl.
11 — Public Informational Session for the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), 1-2:30 p.m., via webinar. CDFW is hosting a virtual informational public meeting to present the draft 2025 SWAP for review. Public participation in the review is valued and all are welcome. Traducción al español disponible. To register, visit the Zoom registration page. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/swap.
13 — California Fish and Game Commission Marine Resources Committee Meeting, time to be determined, California Natural Resources Headquarters Building, Second Floor, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The meeting will also be held via webinar/teleconference. For more information, visit fgc.ca.gov.
14-16 — 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. For more information, visit www.calshows.com.
15 — Nest Box Survey Orientation at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). This is a free orientation meeting for a unique opportunity in a season-long field project. Working with a crew leader in teams of one or two, detailed data is collected and used to understand and enhance the local wood duck population and other wildlife. Commitment averages five hours, once or twice a month, April through July. Open to the public, ages 18 and over. This meeting is required for project participation. For reservations and information, call (530) 846-7505 or email lori.dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.
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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/3/15/2025-saltmarsh-tour.
16 — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Join CDFW for Tot Time at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Visitor’s Center for nature-themed stories and to 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, email julia.sisneros@wildlife.ca.gov.
18 — Advanced Hunter Education Webinar: Turkey Hunting Strategies, 6-7 p.m. Winston Churchill wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” The panelists will break down prior turkey hunts and will use these "field studies" to explain common strategies of what worked and what didn't work for them. They will discuss practical turkey hunting strategies to make you a better turkey hunter. For more information and to register, visit www.register-ed.com/events/view/221595.
19 — Last Day of California Spiny Lobster Recreational and Commercial Fishing Season Statewide. Recreational lobster report card data can be reported by logging on to CDFW’s Online License Sales and Services website at www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/internetsales/customersearch/begin. All cards purchased for the 2024-2025 spiny lobster season must be reported by April 30 to avoid a non-return fee the following season. For more information, visit wildlife.ca.gov/lobster.
21 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3-5 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 give our 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/3/21/friday-habitat-restoration.
22 — Additional Spring Wild Turkey Season for Hunters with Junior Hunting Licenses Opens (extending through March 23). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
22 — Community Habitat Restoration, 3-5 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 give our 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, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2025/3/22/community-habitat-restoration.
29 — General Spring Wild Turkey Season Opens (extending through May 4). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
30 — Bilingual Salt Marsh and Dunes Tour at Ballona Reserve, 10 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Come learn about the history and ecology of the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. Enjoy all the special and unique native plants on a journey through different habitats. Participants might even meet some of the local wildlife. Ven a conocer la Reserva Ecológica de Ballona Wetlands y aprender sobre nuestra historia y ecología. Disfrute de todas las plantas nativas especiales y únicas mientras viaja a través de diferentes hábitats. Y veremos cuánta vida silvestre podemos encontrar. For more details about the event and to register, visit www.ballonafriends.org/calendar/2024/3/30-swm-tour-bilingual.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641