Join us for one of our many guided activities!

All events can also be found on our Eventbrite page. 

 

< 2023 >
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  • Guided Natural and Cultural History Walk

    Guided Natural and Cultural History Walk

    9:00 am-11:00 am
    02/04/2023

    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 not potable water, so please bring all the water you’ll need for the hike. Binoculars encouraged!

    Meet at 9:00 am on the Visitor Center deck.

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • Ducks in Scopes

    Ducks in Scopes

    10:00 am-2:00 pm
    02/04/2023
    13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt, CA

    A great trip for families, youth groups and beginning birders.

    Don’t forget to stop by the Cosumnes River Preserve and check out  “Ducks In Scopes”, where preserve docents have a row of scopes set up, some set lower to accommodate children.  They’ll focus on giving you good views of the many colorful ducks and geese, as well as some of the more interesting shorebirds such as Black-necked Stilts and Common Snipe.    A table display features “Duck Soup”, dishes of water dipped from the pond full of sand fleas, dragonfly nymphs, and other squiggly things that provide the protein the birds are feeding on.   A microscope and hand lens provide close-up looks.  The Preserve is a quick drive from Sacramento – south on I-5 to Twin Cities Road; left (east) on Twin Cities for 1 mile; then right (south) on Franklin Blvd.  The viewing area is in the first parking lot on your right as you drive into the preserve.

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  • Ducks in Scopes

    Ducks in Scopes

    10:00 am-2:00 pm
    02/11/2023

    A great trip for families, youth groups and beginning birders.

    Don’t forget to stop by the Cosumnes River Preserve and check out  “Ducks In Scopes”, where preserve docents have a row of scopes set up, some set lower to accommodate children.  They’ll focus on giving you good views of the many colorful ducks and geese, as well as some of the more interesting shorebirds such as Black-necked Stilts and Common Snipe.    A table display features “Duck Soup”, dishes of water dipped from the pond full of sand fleas, dragonfly nymphs, and other squiggly things that provide the protein the birds are feeding on.   A microscope and hand lens provide close-up looks.  The Preserve is a quick drive from Sacramento – south on I-5 to Twin Cities Road; left (east) on Twin Cities for 1 mile; then right (south) on Franklin Blvd.  The viewing area is in the first parking lot on your right as you drive into the preserve.

  • Guided Sandhill Crane Tour

    Guided Sandhill Crane Tour

    4:10 pm-6:10 pm
    02/11/2023-03/11/2023
    13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt, CA

    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.

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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  • Guided Photography Walk

    Guided Photography Walk

    8:00 am-11:00 am
    02/18/2023

    Come to Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) for a two-hour guided walk focusing on photographing the Preserve. The first hour will be spent on creatively “seeing” Preserve photo opportunities, including using light, shape, texture, and color to artistically capture the Preserve. Topics include: direction of light, color vs monochrome, horizontal vs vertical, use of leading lines and depth of field in compositions. Camera functionality to be discussed include: use of histogram to confirm proper exposure and using aperture to change depth of field focus. Due to the wide variety of cameras, CRP guides cannot be expected to know how to make changes to camera setting, so participants should be familiar with their cameras and/or bring their camera manuals. Tripods are encouraged, especially for morning, low-light conditions.

    The second hour will be spent photographing the Preserve’s wintering waterfowl and include a discussion of the best camera settings for capturing moving and flying birds, using depth of field to reduce visual distractions, and the exposure complexities of photographing birds with both light and dark plumage.

    Remember, this is Nature in winter, so please dress accordingly with sturdy shoes and layers. Gloves will be very helpful as cameras and tripods get cold. There is no potable water and participants must bring their own water.

    There is a limit of 10 participants, who must register using the link below. Wearing a mask may be necessary if social distancing cannot be maintained during the walk or during photo reviews.

    Meet at 8:00AM on the Visitor Center deck.

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  • Ducks in Scopes

    Ducks in Scopes

    10:00 am-2:00 pm
    02/18/2023
    13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt, CA

    A great trip for families, youth groups and beginning birders.

    Don’t forget to stop by the Cosumnes River Preserve and check out  “Ducks In Scopes”, where preserve docents have a row of scopes set up, some set lower to accommodate children.  They’ll focus on giving you good views of the many colorful ducks and geese, as well as some of the more interesting shorebirds such as Black-necked Stilts and Common Snipe.    A table display features “Duck Soup”, dishes of water dipped from the pond full of sand fleas, dragonfly nymphs, and other squiggly things that provide the protein the birds are feeding on.   A microscope and hand lens provide close-up looks.  The Preserve is a quick drive from Sacramento – south on I-5 to Twin Cities Road; left (east) on Twin Cities for 1 mile; then right (south) on Franklin Blvd.  The viewing area is in the first parking lot on your right as you drive into the preserve.

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  • Guided Sandhill Crane Tours

    Guided Sandhill Crane Tours

    4:25 pm-6:25 pm
    02/25/2023
    13501 Franklin Blvd. Galt, CA

    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.

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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March
March
March
March
March


Tall Forest Bird Survey
Apr
20

Tall Forest Bird Survey