Join us for one of our many guided activities!

All events can also be found on our Eventbrite page. 

 

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  • Habitat Restoration Workday

    Habitat Restoration Workday

    9:00 am-3:00 pm
    05/06/2023

    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 trainings, workshops, and events that are designed to help volunteers become more effective environmental stewards.

    Please contact the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for more details – info@cosumnes.org

  • Guided Natural and Cultural History Walk

    Guided Natural and Cultural History Walk

    9:00 am-11:10 am
    05/06/2023

    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

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  • Guided Vernal Pool Walk

    Guided Vernal Pool Walk

    8:00 am-12:00 pm
    05/07/2023

    Come join us on a 4-mile walk along vernal pools at Rancho Seco Recreation Area with an optional extra 3-mile loop. Cosumnes River Preserve docents will lead the way on a trail through vernal pools, which are part of a mitigation site for SMUD. Docents will be able to share the history of the property with you and also help in identifying the flora and fauna observed during the hike. Participants of this hike may also encounter a landscape blanketed with wildflowers. Wildlife can be spotted along the trail, in the sky, and also in the vernal pools. This hike is a sight to see and highly recommended. This walk will cover a fairly flat elevation trail, which consists of a rocky uneven path. The trail does not offer much cover and will leave participants out in the elements. Please come prepared with water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and layered clothing. The hike is open to all ages, but all participants should be of good enough physical ability to walk 5 miles. Hikes will meet at the Howard Ranch Trail Head at 8:30 a.m. and will depart promptly at 9:00 a.m. Parking at Rancho Seco is $12 per vehicle and the hike is free of charge.

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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  • Oak Savannah Guided Photography Walk

    Oak Savannah Guided Photography Walk

    8:00 am-12:00 pm
    05/13/2023

    Special Event at Cosumnes River Preserve:

    Guided Photography Walk to the Oak Savannah, May 13, 2023, starting at 8AM sharp.

    Come to Cosumnes River Preserve (CRP) for a three to four-hour guided walk focusing on photographing the Preserve magnificent Valley oaks.  This walk requires about 4-5 miles of walking with your camera gear, including lenses and tripod.  You may also be getting on your hands and knees to experiment with tree composition or get up-close to an outstanding mushroom.

    Be prepared for a long morning.  There is no potable water available, so bring enough water for the morning, and snacks or lunch.  Wear appropriate clothes in layers as the morning may be very cool, but the sun on the savannah can get hot by late morning.  Long pants and high socks are necessary to hinder ticks and protect against scratchy tall grasses.  Supportive shoes are a must for walking on uneven surfaces and for carrying camera gear for many hours.  Hats and sunscreen are critical for anyone worried about sunburn in April, whether a sunny or cloudy day.

    Camera gear to bring:  camera, various lenses for landscape (wide angle zoom, medium zoom, up to 200-300mm).  Long lenses for bird photography are not necessary and very heavy to carry for 4 hours.  Tripods are a must (Per Ansel Adams: “Use a tripod for only those photographs you wish to keep.”)

    The photographic discussions will focus on “seeing” photo opportunities we find on the Savannah, including the use of light, subject shape, texture, and color to artistically capture the Preserve.  Topics to be covered will be 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 the use of histogram to confirm proper exposure and using aperture to change depth of field.  Due to the wide variety of cameras, the CRP guide cannot be expected to know how to make changes to camera settings, so participants should be familiar with their cameras and/or bring their camera manuals.

    There is a limit of 10 participants, who must register using the link below.   Wearing a mask is optional, but be cognizant of others who may immunocompromised.  If you register for this special walk and then decide not to attend, please cancel your reservation so people on the waiting list can register.

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

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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  • Tall Forest Bird Survey

    Tall Forest Bird Survey

    5:15 am-12:00 pm
    05/14/2023

    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 at 5:15 a.m. (Corner of Bruceville Road and Desmond Road)

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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  • Annual Butterfly Count

    Annual Butterfly Count

    12:27 pm
    05/18/2023

    Butterflies…we see them everywhere, fluttering and floating from one flower to the next. But how often do you stop and think about these funny insects? Did you know that monarch butterflies can migrate over 2,000 miles? How about that the top flight speed for a butterfly is 12 miles per hour? And that many butterflies can actually taste with their feet? Those are some interesting facts and there are plenty more to be discovered.

    Butterflies have a vital role in nature. As pollinators, they help to ensure that plants reproduce. They are key players in our regions food web; especially as caterpillars when they are eaten by a variety of birds. They are also fun to observe, whether you are in your backyard, local park or the wilderness.

    The Preserve needs your help in learning more about the butterflies that live in the Central Valley. Join the Cosumnes River Preserve for its annual Butterfly Count which covers all public trails around the Visitor Center. Help to capture (then release), identify and catalogue the numbers of more than twenty species that live in this area. In years past, volunteers were able to collect more than a thousand butterflies.

    The Cosumnes Butterfly Count takes place on Saturday, June 10th, and starts at 9:00 a.m. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center deck, located at 13501 Franklin Blvd. (directions are available on the website). Collecting will continue until approximately 1:00 p.m. Participants should bring water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, dress appropriately for being outdoors and please bring binoculars if you have some. Insect repellant, identification charts, and a limited number of butterfly nets will be provided. If you have your own butterfly net you are more than welcome to bring it!

    Please note that if you are signing up and you would like to bring your family, please still only sign up as one participant! We encourage kids of all ages to join the fun!

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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  • Paddlers Guide To Safety

    Paddlers Guide To Safety

    8:00 am-10:00 am
    05/20/2023

    CONTACT: JEFF FITE
    JEFF.FITE.CGAUX@FRONTIER.COM
    916-479-3936

    PADDLERS
    GUIDE TO
    SAFETY
    Presented by Flotilla
    113-03-10
    Saturday, May 20th, 8:00-10:00
    Cosumnes River Preserve Visitors’ Center
    13501 Franklin Blvd Galt, CA 95632

     

    Paddlers Guide to Safety

  • Habitat Restoration Workday

    Habitat Restoration Workday

    9:00 am-3:00 pm
    05/20/2023

    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 trainings, workshops, and events that are designed to help volunteers become more effective environmental stewards.

    Please contact the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for more details – info@cosumnes.org

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June
June
June
June


Tall Forest Bird Survey
Apr
20

Tall Forest Bird Survey