Volunteer
  • Ducks Profile
  • Crane In Flight
  • Wetlands
  • Valley Oak
  • Egrets
  • Shorebirds
  • Dancing Cranes
  • Poppies
  • Sunset
  • Flooded Oak

Hiking

Hiking

Within the 50,000+ acres of the preserve, we have over 11 miles of pristine trail for you to hike. Some days you can walk for hours without spotting another human being, enjoying in your solitude the serene majesty of nature.

Wildlife

Wildlife

The preserve is home to more than 250 bird species, more than 40 fish species, and some 400+ plant species have been verified. Keep an eye out for Greater and Lesser Sandhill Cranes, Northern Pintail, Swainson’s Hawks, and Black-necked Stilts. Within the preserve you can see for yourself the rich variety of American wildlife.

Field Trips

Field Trips

We welcome group visits and school field trips, and have a training program and teaching materials available for schoolteachers — or you can take one of our volunteer-guided tours!

Upcoming Events

Apr
28

Habitat Restoration Workday

If you’re a first timer, don’t worry about not knowing what to do. We have plenty of instructions and lots of experienced volunteers to guide you. Click this activity to learn more about this exciting activity!
Apr
29

Vernal Pool and Wildflower Hike at Howard Ranch Trail

The 7-mile Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail is a hiker’s paradise! The trail begins by winding around the north end of Rancho Seco Lake along willow scrub and riparian marsh habitat. As the trail leaves the waters edge, it travels up onto a flat terrace supporting a mosaic of vernal pools and grassland habitat.
May
05

Guided Nature Walk

This is a leisurely walk on a trail that is unpaved in sections and paved in others.  Our route will take us approximately three and a half miles, but participants who do not wish to walk that far may turn around at any time.  Good family activity.
May
05

Habitat Restoration Workday

If you’re a first timer, don’t worry about not knowing what to do. We have plenty of instructions and lots of experienced volunteers to guide you. Click this activity to learn more about this exciting activity!
May
05

Vernal Pool and Wildflower Hike at Howard Ranch Trail

The 7-mile Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail is a hiker’s paradise! The trail begins by winding around the north end of Rancho Seco Lake along willow scrub and riparian marsh habitat. As the trail leaves the waters edge, it travels up onto a flat terrace supporting a mosaic of vernal pools and grassland habitat.

From The Blog