Join Cosumnes River Preserve docents on a guided hike along the River Walk Trail! This hike will take you back to the days when the Plains Miwok once inhabited the Cosumnes River’s surrounding landscape.
You’ll learn about the plants and animals they interacted with and the unique ways in which they utilized the land as a part of their everyday lives.
The route will cover approximately 3.5 miles, but participants that do not wish to walk that far may turn around at any time. This is a great family activity for all ages! This is an outdoor setting in nature, so please dress accordingly with sturdy shoes and layers. There is no potable water, so please bring all the water you’ll need for the hike. Binoculars encouraged!
Join Jim Rowoth along the River Walk Trail and learn about the wonders of the birds that frequent the Cosumnes River Preserve. This bird survey will take place along the River Walk Trail stretching 4 miles round trip. It is recommended that you bring water, a snack, rubber boots and mosquito repellent. Of course, binoculars as well.
The Habitat Restoration Team (HRT) is an opportunity like no other! It is open to anyone 18 or older who wishes to be truly involved with environmental stewardship at the Cosumnes River Preserve. HRT assists Preserve Staff with focused conservation projects that allow members to experience more of the Preserve and contribute to its success. HRT members may take advantage of specialized training, workshops, and events that are designed to help volunteers become more effective environmental stewards. ________________________________________________
To sign-up please contact the volunteer coordinator by calling (916) 826-0927 or sending an email to info@cosumnes.org.
In celebration of California Biodiversity Day, join us to discover the wild wonders of California’s 25 bat species. We will learn how to see them with our eyes, ears, and microphones! Meet at the Visitor Center for a sunset chat followed by a short walk with live bat acoustic detectors. Bat biologists will lead small groups to remain at the Visitor Center or walk along the River Walk or Boardwalk Trail.
Accessibility:
Terrain at the Visitor Center is easily accessible. Trails are well maintained but offer some uneven terrain. Restrooms will be open and accessible during this event. Cell reception is generally good in this area.
Parking:
There is ample parking in two lots, near the Visitor Center and near the Boardwalk Trail. The gates, which normally close at sunset, will remain open for this event.
Explore the Tall Forests complex vegetative structure, which permits a rich variety of birds to reside permanently or seasonally.
The Tall Forest is a substantial block of valley oak-dominated woodland strongly resembling the pre-Anglo Central Valley riparian forests, a habitat now almost obliterated from California. The big trees overtop a varied, dense understory, and California grape and poison oak climb into the canopy in many places. The complex vegetative structure permits a rich variety of birds to reside permanently or seasonally there.
Come join John Trochet, leader of this survey for more than two decades now, as we follow the birdlife of the preserve’s plum parcel through the seasons and across the years.
This is a survey on foot lasting 5-6 hours, sometimes longer when the birding is exceptional.
Because we start early, we have a good chance to see mammals as well, such as beaver, river otter, striped skunk, raccoon, coyote, squirrels and deer, plus ectothermic vertebrates on occasion. A good variety of local butterflies and odonates is found in season. In places the trails are nothing more than animal traces, and we push through blackberry thickets, clamber over down logs and bend under low limbs or grape tangles to make our way through. This is not a trip for folks in shorts nor for small children (not recommended for children less than 10 years of age). Footwear requirements vary with the season. Mud is usual between November and April, sometimes later, and standing or moving water is possible in this same time frame. At this time of year at least, rubber knee boots are strongly suggested. Ticks are often common in spring and early summer. Stickers (especially beggars tick and cocklebur) are features of late summer and autumn. Rubber knee boots mitigate against these, too. Mosquitoes may be abroad on any modestly warm day of the year. One needs to be prepared for these things. Because this is the only regularly scheduled opportunity for the public to see this area, we do not insist that participants be birders. Anyone with any natural history interest is welcome. But bear in mind that it is a bird survey if your interest lies elsewhere.
Especially during the rainy season, river conditions may change quickly and dramatically. During minor flood events, rubber knee boots may be insufficient to conduct the survey. I do allow others to join me when hip boots are required. At this season one should check this website or the Central Valley Birds listserv (where the leader can post late notice himself) the day before the survey to find out if hip boots are required. Seeing this place in flood is a special experience, too, though the woodland birding during flood events is generally poor. The surveys in June and July are not recommended as they start very early (tough for most people to get up for), are typically hot and the birds at that season few and quiet.
The Tall Forest is a wonderful place. We urge all who are able to visit at least once.
Tour will depart from the Farm Center gate (Corner of Bruceville Road and Desmond Road)
To Register Please Contact John Trochet by email: trochetj<at>gmail<dot>com
Join experienced naturalists for a leisurely paddle up the Cosumnes River and its peaceful sloughs. We’ll likely see forest birds, raptors, egrets, herons, cormorants, and maybe deer, a beaver and/or an otter. We’ll talk about the flora and fauna found in this riparian corridor, and about the first people to live here, the Plains Miwoks.
Bring your own boat (canoe, kayak, SUP), paddle, and PFD.
We will meet at the Cosumnes River Preserve Visitor Center Parking lot.
For over three decades, National Public Lands Day (NPLD) has inspired hundreds of thousands of volunteers to give back to our nation’s public lands in all 50 states and US territories. Join the Cosumnes River Preserve as we unite to celebrate and care for our nation’s public lands—both for today and the future. On NPLD, we’ll join “Together for Tomorrow” to ensure the longevity of our cherished places while fostering environmental stewardship among youth and their communities. From promoting forest health to restoring habitat we all have a common goal to steward our natural resources for generations to come. For your hard work, you will receive a free lunch and the pride of knowing that you contributed time and labor that the Cosumnes River Preserve could not otherwise have accomplished.
The Habitat Restoration Team (HRT) is an opportunity like no other! It is open to anyone 18 or older who wishes to be truly involved with environmental stewardship at the Cosumnes River Preserve. HRT assists Preserve Staff with focused conservation projects that allow members to experience more of the Preserve and contribute to its success. HRT members may take advantage of specialized training, workshops, and events that are designed to help volunteers become more effective environmental stewards. ________________________________________________
To sign-up please contact the volunteer coordinator by calling (916) 826-0927 or sending an email to info@cosumnes.org.
Join experienced docents and members of the ~Save Our Sandhill Cranes advocacy group~ for a 90-minute guided tour of the Sandhill Cranes at the Cosumnes River Preserve. This tour will begin at the visitor center, rain or shine, where you will get the opportunity to learn about the features, behavior, and anatomy of Sandhill Cranes. After your short Crane introduction, you will either walk or drive to see the cranes depending on where they are expected to be roosting that night.
During the tour, there will be a few opportunities to look through a scope that will be provided by the preserve docents. But it is recommended that you bring your own binoculars to view the cranes and a variety of shore birds, ducks, geese, swans, and raptors.
Most Sandhill Cranes in the Pacific Flyway spend their fall and winters with us in California and then spend their spring summers in Alaska and Canada where they nest. Please join us for this amazing experience.
