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 can include information about Gray Lodge’s 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 — 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. Its 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 — Vernal Pool Tour at Grasslands Regional Park, 4 to 5:30 p.m., May 6 and 13. Explore these seasonal wetland habitats with Yolo Basin Foundation staff and volunteers in a small group experience. Learn about the natural history of vernal pools and how they are restored and get an up close view of the creatures and colorful wildflowers that are unique to vernal pool ecosystems. Tours are limited to 35 people. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/grpvernalpooltours.
Sundays — Tot Time at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, 11 to 11:45 a.m., 2001 Nimbus Road, Gold River (95670). Every Sunday during Tot Time at the Visitor’s Center at Nimbus Fish Hatchery, staff will 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 — Recreational Pacific Halibut Fishery Opens (until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier). For more information, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/pacific-halibut.
1 — Deadline for 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.
1 — Archery-only Spring Wild Turkey and Additional Junior Spring Turkey Seasons Open (extending through May 14). For more information on upland game bird seasons and limits, please visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting/upland-game-birds.
5 — 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/2023/5/5/friday-habitat-restoration.
5 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 10 a.m. to noon, Black Point Historic Gardens, 1 Fort Mason, San Francisco (94109). 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 bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the free, in-person field event, please visit the CABBA Field Events registration form. For more information, please contact CDFW Pollinator Coordinator Hillary Sardiñas at Hillary.Sardinas@wildlife.ca.gov or scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
6 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 9 a.m. to noon, Galbreath Wildland Preserve, 30720 Elkhorn Road, Yorkville (95494). 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 bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the free, in-person field event, please visit cei.sonoma.edu/bumblebees. Participants will park and walk across a foot bridge to access the event. For more information, please contact Xerces biologist Leif Richardson at Leif.Richardson@xerces.org.
6 — MacArthur Park Annual Kids Fishing Derby, 9 a.m. to noon, MacArthur Park, 2230 W 6th Street, Los Angeles (90057). For more information, please contact Brian.Young@wildlife.ca.gov.
6 — Open Wetlands, 9 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Come visit the beautiful Ballona Wetlands and learn about the native plants and animals found in this coastal wetland in Los Angeles. A guided bird walk begins at 9 a.m. and binoculars are available on loan. The entrance to the reserve is in the northeast corner of the parking lot behind Gordon's Market. For more information, please visit www.laaudubon.org or www.naturenexusinstitute.org.
7 — 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/2023/5/7-saltmarsh-tour.
7 — City of Davis Wetlands Tour, 9 to 11 a.m., 45400 County Rd 28H, Woodland (95776). Yolo Basin Foundation offers monthly tours of the City of Davis Wetlands. The tours are appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts and birders. The Davis Wetlands is a managed, native California wetland ecosystem that includes oak riparian woodlands and native grasslands. The group will caravan along the hard-packed gravel roads of the auto tour route. Several stops will be made along the way providing guests with a closer look at the many species of birds that utilize the more than 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, please visit www.yolobasin.org/wetlands-tours.
11 — 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 bumble bees and submit data. To register for the free, virtual training event, please visit the Zoom webinar registration page. 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.
13 — California Bumble Bee Atlas Field Event, 10 a.m. to noon, Hallberg Butterfly Gardens, 8687 Oak Grove Ave, Sebastopol (95472). 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 bumble bees through catch-and-release. To register for the free, in-person field event, please visit the CABBA Field Events registration form. For more information, please contact CDFW scientific aid Dylan Winkler at Dylan.Winkler@wildlife.ca.gov.
13 — Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Kids’ Fishing Day, 7 a.m. to noon, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). Youths 15 and under can angle for the biggest catfish in the morning at this free event. Fishing poles and bait will be available, and the event will include prizes for participating youths and lunch for all family members. Registration at the event site is required for fishing. Anglers aged 16 and over who have a valid California Sport Fishing License may fish from this location after 12:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Gridley Recreation Department at (530) 846-3264 or Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at (530) 846-7505.
13 — 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/2023/5/13-creek-cleanup.
13 — South Bay Youth Fishing Event, 8 a.m. to noon, Alondra Regional Park Lake, 3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Lawndale (90250). For more information, please contact Brian.Young@wildlife.ca.gov.
14 — Open Wetlands, 9 a.m. to noon, 303 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey (90293). Come visit the beautiful Ballona Wetlands and learn about the native plants and animals found in this coastal wetland in Los Angeles. A guided bird walk begins at 9 a.m. and binoculars are available on loan. The entrance to the reserve is in the northeast corner of the parking lot behind Gordon's Market. For more information, please visit www.laaudubon.org or www.naturenexusinstitute.org.
17 — California Fish and Game Commission Meeting, time to be determined, teleconference/webinar. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
17 — California Fish and Game Commission Wildlife Resources Committee Meeting, time and location to be determined. This meeting follows the prior Commission meeting and will start no earlier than 10:30 a.m. Webinar/teleconference participation options will be available. For more information, please visit fgc.ca.gov.
19 — 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/2023/5/19/friday-habitat-restoration.
21 — Tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, 8 to 11 a.m., 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.
25 — California Wildlife Conservation Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, First Floor Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento (95814). The public is welcome. For more information, please visit wcb.ca.gov.
27 — 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/2023/5/27/community-habitat-restoration.
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Media Contact:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641